Browse Production and Its Use by Moose and Snowshoe Hares at the Kenai Moose Research Center, Alaska
Oldemeyer JL. 1983. Browse Production and Its Use by Moose and Snowshoe Hares at the Kenai Moose Research Center, Alaska. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 47(2):486-496
A 4-year study conducted at the Moose Research Center (MRC) on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska evaluated the effect of different densities of moose (Alces alces) on paper birch (Betula papyrifera) production and use. Production and use of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and willow (Salix spp.) were also estimated and the impact of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) on paper birch was evaluated. The study was conducted in 4 2.6-km² enclosures at the MRS where moose densities ranged from 1,237 to 5,851 moose-days/pen/winter period. Paper birch produced an average of 102 kg/ha in the 4 enclosures whereas willow and aspen together produced only 3.7 kg/ha. During the 1st 3 years there was a significant difference in per-plant production among 5 important vegetative types. Use by moose at higher densities affected mean plant production the 3rd and 4th years. Birch use ranged from 31.8 to 83.3% of current annual production. During the 4 years, snowshoe hares browsed a greater percentage of tagged plants than did moose. Sixty-five percent of the birch plants browsed by hares were less than 1.5 m tall and 62% of those browsed by moose were taller than 1.5 m. Birch plants browsed in a given year were shorter on the average the following season. Seventy percent of the willow and 58.7% of the aspen plants were browsed during winter.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Oldemeyer, John
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , YUCH , WRST
- Keywords
- Alces alces, Betula papyrifera, Browsing, Diet, Kenai Peninsula, Lepus americanus, Mammals, Populus tremuloides, Salix spp., Small Mammals, Ungulates