Composition and Quality of Moose Winter Diets in Interior Alaska
Risenhoover KL. 1989. Composition and Quality of Moose Winter Diets in Interior Alaska. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 53(3):568-577
I studied the botanical composition and nutritional qualities of moose (Alces alces) winter diets in subalpine habitats in Denali National Park and Preserve (DNPP), Alaska, during January-April 1983 and 1984. Feltleaf willow (Salix alaxensis), diamondleaf willow (S. planifolia), littletree willow (S. arbusculoides), and grayleaf willow (S. glauca) predominated moose diets in all habitats. Willows accounted for >94% of the biomass consumed by radio-collared animals during observed foraging periods. However, diet composition varied markedly between habitats. The chemical composition of individual forage species varied among habitats, and I documented significant differences among species consumed. Mean diet quality varied significantly among habitats. Diet in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) ranged from 32 to 41% among habitats, and dietary crude protein ranged between 6.0 and 7.2%. Diets in all habitats contained concentrations of phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) considered marginal for cattle. Concentrations of total phenols and condensed tannins in forages at DNPP were high compared to other areas of Alaska. Diets of moose foraging in willow riparian-lowland habitats contained higher concentrations of IVDOM and crude protein, and less lignin compared to diets of moose in other habitats. In DNPP, upland and riparian willow communities are important winter habitats.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Risenhoover, Kenneth
- Units
- DENA
- Keywords
- Alces alces, Biomass, Denali National Park And Preserve, Forage, Habitat, Moose (Alces alces), Mount Mckinley National Park, Mt. McKinley National Park, Nutrition, Plants, Radiotelemetry, Salicales, Willows