Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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EFFECTS OF POPULATION DENSITY AND SELECTIVE HARVEST ON ANTLER PHENOTYPE IN SIMULATED MOOSE POPULATIONS
No full textWe simulated moose (Alces alces) populations held either at or below carrying capacity (K) to determine the effect of population density on harvest rate and frequency of alleles favoring antler growth under a system of selective harvest. A stochastic model of density-dependent population growth was created to achieve stable populations at K with no hunting. Rates of mortality not associated with hunting were increased to simulate predation last for a population held below K. the increased nutrition available to this lower-density population was assumed to result in larger age-specific antler size. Each population was subjected to a harvest plan that defined legal bulls as those with either a spike-fork antler as yearlings (small bulls) or with an antler spread of > 50 inches (127 cm) as large bulls. Harvest, population composition, and frequency of alleles favorable to antler growth were monitored throughout the simulations. For the population held at K, the frequency of favorable antler alleles declined slightly from that obtained in the population with no hunting. When the population was reduced below K, harvest decreased and their proportion of small bowls in the harvest increased compared with the population at K. In the population below K, the frequency of favorable alleles declined steadily, likely to fixation for unfavorable alleles. Ratio of bulls:100 cows in the two harvested populations were similar but ratios of small:large bulls were changing, with the population at lower density exhibiting a higher proportion of small bulls prior to harvest. Under the conditions imposed by our model, increases in age-specific antler size associated with increased nutrition resulted in greater selection against alleles favorable for antler growth under a scenario of selective harvest. Changes in density of moose populations and resulting effects of nutrition on the potential for antler growth must be considered when predicting the outcome of antler-based selective harvests
A MODEL TO PREDICT NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTLER GROWTH IN MOOSE
No full textWe used a simulation model to predict energy, protein, and mineral requirements of moose. Body water, fat, protein, and ash are monitored on a daily time step, and energy requirements for reproduction and body mass changes are accounted for. We estimated energy requirements for antler growth because experimental data are not available. Antler growth increased energy requirements by 13% when energy requirements for antler growth were similar to energy requirements for tissue deposition, and by 20% when energy requirements for antler growth were midway between energy requirements for tissue deposition and gestation. Energy requirements for the latter part of gestation and milk production by females were greater than requirements for antler growth in mature males. Protein requirements for antler growth and lactation were met by forage intake. The model predicts that calcium and phosphorus must be resorbed from bone during peak antler growth. If antlers weigh 30 kg at the end of velvet shedding, > 60 g / day of calcium and > 30 g / day of phosphorous are deposited in the antlers for 40 days when mineralization rate is highest. Phosphorus was most likely to limited growth of antlers after energy. Input parameters can be changed to represent moose from other geographic regions and other cervid species. The model can be used to understand energy and mineral metabolism requirements for antler growth, and to understand the relationship between body mass and antler size in the Cervidae
CAUSES OF REINDEER (RANGIFER TARANDUS) AND MOOSE (ALCES ALCES) MORTALITY IN THE LAPLAND RESERVE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
No full textThe Lapland Biosphere Nature Reserve located above the Arctic Circle stretches 2,780 km2 of land on Russia's Kola Peninsula. Between the years 1930-1996, 206 moose (“elk” in Europe and Asia) (Alces alces) and 646 wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) deaths were recorded. Bears (Ursus arctos) were responsible for most of the moose and reindeer mortality: 68% and 30% of deaths, respectively. By comparison, wolves (Canis lupus) caused 8% of moose and 17% of reindeer deaths and wolverines (Gulo gulo) caused 1% of moose and 10% of reindeer deaths. In this area surrounding the Reserve, illegal hunting accounted for 6% of moose mortality and 18% of reindeer mortality, while road kills were responsible for 3% of all moose deaths and 1% of all reindeer deaths. In cases where hunters wounded reindeer outside of the Reserve their subsequent death inside the Reserve was recorded. Bears were of greatest danger to moose and reindeer in Laplandia; wolves tended to prey primarily on reindeer. Wolverine most frequently targeted weak or sick animals, though they have been known to occasionally attack adult moose. The mortality rate of adult males (both moose and reindeer) is consistently higher than the rate for females and calves. One explanation for this may be that calf remains are more difficult to discover and decay more rapidly than those of adults. Furthermore, as the remains of adult animals are more easily discovered than the remains of their young, it is possible that several deaths of young animals remain undiscovered. We were not able to discern the cause of 30% of moose deaths and 60% of reindeer deaths
THE HISTORY OF MOOSE IN THE BALTIC COUNTRIES
No full textThis paper presents a first analysis of the development of the moose (Alces alces alces L.) population in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania prior to 1997. Archaeological and documentary materials prove that moose had been living in the present Baltic countries in the second half of the early Holocene. Until the 1960’s, the population numbers were relatively small. From 1961 to 1971, the moose population for all of Estonia was surveyed. The work was continued from 1972 to 1974 and again in 1979. In 1987, investigations into population numbers, composition, and growth were initiated in all 3 countries. Maximum populations probably occurred in the 1970’s and 1980’s. In Lithuania there were 15,000; Latvia, 45,000; and in Estonia, up to 20,000. the 4 to 4 fold decrease in the 1990’s has been the result of poaching and predation (bears and wolves). In 1996 and 1997 the population levels in Estonia were on the level of 6,000 to 7,000, in Latvia about 7,000, and in Lithuania 3,800 individuals. The future of moose in the Baltic states is greatly dependent on human influences. Cooperative research work is required in order to preserve the population composition and genetic diversity. A continuous population management program, fixed harvest quotas, and habitat preservation are of prime importance
REPRODUCTION, SURVIVAL, AND OCCUPIED RANGES OF SHIRAS MOOSE TRANSPLANTED TO SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO
No full textMoose (Alces alces shirasi) were released into previously unoccupied habitat in southwestern Colorado in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Nine radiocollared males and 32 radiocollared females were tracked and relocated approximately monthly until they died or the study terminated on December 31, 1996. Females were observed each year in July, August, or September to determine if calves were present. The females had 97 opportunities to produce calves. Fifty calves were observed resulting in an average calf to cow ratio of 52 calves per 100 cows. All radiocollars were equipped with mortality sensors and each dead animal was examined to determine cause of death. Illegal kill was the primary known cause of death followed by birth complications, winter loss, and impacted rumen. We were unable to determine the cause of death for 9 animals. Average annual survival rates were 0.94 for males and 0.83 for females. Locations of each animal were recorded and mapped. An adaptive kernel analysis was used to create seasonal polygons of occupied habitat. By December 31, 1997 more than 5,500 km2 were occupied by moose in the fall. The mean area occupied, over multiple years, by individual moose during all seasons was 624 km2 for males and 772 km2 for females. Moose numbers are increasing in the release area and we believe that range expansion will occur to favorable adjacent habitats
WINTER HABITAT USE BY MOOSE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA
No full textThe moose (Alces alces) associated with the tri-valley system at the head of Turnagain Arm in south-central Alaska are particularly important for wildlife viewing and hunting. A more thorough understanding of the distribution and habitat use patters of moose during winter (i.e., Dec - Mar) in this area was needed to develop and implement habitat management activities for this population. Habitats available to moose were 3 shrub communities (53%), 2 forest communities (32%), and a herbaceous/grass/barren community (15). During deep-snow winters moose selected deciduous forests and alder (Alnus spp.)-willow (Salix spp.) communities. Mixed deciduous-conifer forests, sweetgale (Myrica gale), and herbaceous-grass communities were avoided. A mixed willow-sweetgale community was used in proportion to its occurrence. Moose used plant communities that provided greatest access to preferred forage species (e.g., willow). Opportunities exist to enhance habitat by manipulating plant communities to make preferred species more available during moderate- to deep-snow winters
METABOLIC RATIOS FOR ESTIMATING ENERGY METABOLISM IN MOOSE
No full textWe have calculated metabolic ratios called multiple of base-line metabolism (MBLM) by dividing published data on energy costs of moose by a common denominator called base-line metabolism. Use of a common denominator makes all of these calculated ratios comparable on a mass-specific basis. We have used a tandem cosine algorithm to calculate the annual cycles of MBLM vales for calves, cows, and bulls. Metabolic lows of mature cows and bulls are reached in mid-March to mid-April, and highs are reached when both milk production and antler growth reach a peak in mid-June. Calves, yearlings, and barren cows, and immature bulls are expected to reach a peak in mid-July. Maximum MBLM values in early summer are about 3 times greater than the minimum values in late winter and early spring. The MBLM method can be used to estimate ecological energy metabolism throughout the annual cycle by interpolating between minimum and maximum values with the tandem cosine algorithm, and should be useful to modelers who want to incorporate energy costs as a continuous function throughout the year
DIET SELECTION BY ALASKAN MOOSE DURING WINTER: EFFECTS OF FIRE AND FOREST SUCCESSION
No full textWe studied forage available to and used by Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) during winter 1988-1989 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, USA, to test the hypothesis that changes in the quality and abundance of browse during winter affected the selection of diet. Random plots were located in 3 age classes of vegetation (7-10, 20-30, and 70-80 years since the last fire)m which varied in abundance and quality of browse. Dominant species of browse we studied on those seral stands included scouler willow (Salix scouleriana), Kenai birch (Populus trichocarpa). We made twig counts of current annual growth in early (December), mid- (February), and late (April) winter to determine amounts of woody browse available to and used by moose. Overall, moose browsed scouler willow, Kenai birch, and aspen to their availability, and avoided black cottonwood. Plant secondary compounds offer a likely explanation for moose avoiding cottonwood and not consuming white spruce (Picea glauca). Percent use of browse species, however, was not significantly related to its availability or to those measures of nutrient content we analyzed. Black cottonwood was not browsed to a greater degree in stand with low resource availability, contrary to a prediction of optimal foraging theory. Patterns of diet selection did not vary between periods of winter even though abundance of forage did so. Distance from escape cover affected diet selection by moose; selectivity of diet declined with increasing distance from cover, indicating risk of predation played a role in the foraging dynamics of moose. The use of fire holds the potential to improve habitat for moose, but the population dynamics of this large herbivore also need to be considered for such management to be effective. Likewise, the sound management of moose requires that suitable habitat be available in other seasons as well as winter
NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR MOOSE MANAGEMENT: A WORKSHOP
No full textThis paper provides outlines of presentations made during a special session devoted to new technology for moose management at the 4th International Moose Symposium and 33rd North American Moose Conference and Workshop, Fairbanks, Alaska, May 17-23, 1997. The intent of this session was to provide an overview of emergent technology that may benefit moose management and to suggest future directions for research. Advancements in the use of Global Positioning System technology for tracking moose and other wildlife were outlined. The performance of these new systems under both controlled and field situations were discussed. Recent progress in the application of ultrasonography to the assessment of moose nutritional and reproductive condition was presented. Prospects for the application of new genetic techniques, particularly molecular genetic markers, to the understanding and management of most populations were considered. A new spatially based decision support tool for landscape level resource management was outlined and demonstrated. This special session highlighted the wide variety of new technologies that may have significant impacts on moose management in the near future and into the 21st century
BARK STRIPPING BY MOOSE IN COMMERCIAL FORESTS OF FENNOSCANDIA - A REVIEW
No full textThe stripping of bark from young timber trees by wild cervids is of commercial concern in many parts of Fennoscandia. we review the occurrence of this habit in moose (Alces alces) in relation to region, forestry practices, site productivity, and quality of available forage in the vicinity of areas with bark stripping. The greatest commercial loss from bark stripping is seen in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), with lesser impacts on Norway spruce (Picea abies). In stands of young Scots pine subject to bark stripping, generally less than 5% of trees are affected each year. In central Sweden the damage to pine is confined to sapling stands 1.5-4 m tall, but to the north older trees in ‘thinning-stage stands’ are also frequently barked. Bark stripping in central Sweden occurs primarily during spring, while in the north it occurs throughout the year with a higher frequency in mid- to late winter. Bark stripping of Norway spruce has previously occurred only to a small extent, but in the past decade it has increased in importance in parts of southern Fennoscandia. In these new occurrences there is an apparent association with areas of high acidification from anthropogenic sources. Various authors have suggested why cervids seek tree bark, particularly red deer (Cervus elaphus). For moose, however, no single hypothesis has been verified. Possible mechanisms inducing bark stripping are discussed here, including the role of nutrient deficiencies in moose. Finally, methods for reducing bark stripping damage by moose are discussed