Moose (Alces alces) population survey in and around Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, March 2022
Pruszenski JM, Schertz DT, Bracio S, Hughey JB, Cameron MD. 2022. Moose (Alces alces) population survey in and around Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, March 2022. Natural Resource Report. NPS/GAAR/NRR—2022/2467. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2294462
Moose (Alces alces) are an integral component of the boreal ecosystem in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (hereafter “Park” or “GAAR”) and are considered good indicators of long-term habitat change within the Park’s ecosystem. From March 25 to 28, 2022, the National Park Service (NPS) surveyed moose in a 6,118mi2 (15,846 km2) area in and around GAAR, which included the Alatna and John Rivers, as well as the North and Middle Forks of the Koyukuk River. We used the Geo-Spatial Population Estimator (GSPE) technique to estimate moose abundance for the entire survey area as well as three subareas of management interest. The population estimate for the entire survey area was 1,308 moose (90% confidence interval [CI] = 1,062–1,554) which yielded a density of 0.21 moose/mi2 (0.08 moose/km2), and the calf ratio estimate was 10 calves:100 adults. The estimate for the GAAR subarea was 1,129 moose (90% CI = 915–1,342) and a density of 0.22 moose/mi2. Our results suggest that there may have been a slight increase in moose abundance within GAAR since the previous population estimate in 2015, but deeper snow conditions this year compared to 2015 may have had an influence on our estimate.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Pruszenski, Jordan; Schertz, Dylan; Bracio, Sophia; Hughey, Jared; Cameron, Matthew
- Date of Issue
- 2022-10
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2294462
- Units
- ARCN , GAAR , NRSS
- Keywords
- Alaska, Arctic, Gates of the Arctic, GSPE, Moose
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals