Browse Quality and the Kenai Moose Population
Oldemeyer JL, Franzmann AW, Brundage AL, Arneson P, Flynn A. 1977. Browse Quality and the Kenai Moose Population. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 41(3):533-542
The quality of moose (Alces alces) forage on the northwestern Kenai Peninsula, Alaska was evaluated by determining digestibility (as in vitro dry matter disappearance) and levels of fiber, protein, and minerals for 1 winter and 2 summer collections. There were significant changes in all parameters between summer and winter and in the major browse species -- paper birch (Betula papyrifera), aspen (Populus tremuloides), willow (Salix sp.), alder (Alnus sp.), and lowbush cranberry (Vaccinium vitisidaea) and significant differences among species within seasons. Considering all factors, alder and willow ranked as the best summer browse plants and lowbush cranberry as the poorest; in winter, aspen and lowbush cranberry ranked best and paper birch poorest. However, since the different species provide different nutrients, sufficient quantities of all 5 species could better meet the needs of moose than any 1. The northern Kenai moose range, once multispecies habitat, is now dominated by paper birch; this is relatively poor winter forage, and the moose population is declining.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Oldemeyer, J; Franzmann, A; Brundage, A; Arneson, PD; Flynn, A
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Alces alces, Alnus sp., Arctic, Betula papyrifera, Populus tremuloides, Salix sp., Vaccinium vitisidaea