The effect of thermoregulation and roads on the movements and habitat selection of moose in Massachusetts

Massachusetts, U.S.A. is located along the southern boundary of the geographic range of moose (Alces alces) in North America. This is an atypical environment for moose, because of its extremely high levels of human development and high year-round temperatures, which are possibly at the limits of moose physiological tolerances. I investigated the role of these two factors on moose movements and habitat selection to determine how human development of the landscape and temperature influence moose occupation of this extreme environment. In addition, the response of moose to these factors provides insights into the influence of development and temperature on individual fitness and population persistence. Thermal conditions in Massachusetts were consistently higher than the reported physiological tolerances of moose, and higher than parts of the range where high temperatures have negatively affected moose reproduction and survival. Moose greatly reduced their selection of open foraging habitat and increased selection for thermal shelters as temperatures increased above upper critical limits; this same pattern was apparent when comparing day (warmer) to night (cooler) activities. A strong transition in the use of habitats occurred at dawn and dusk, which corresponded to peaks in hourly movement rates at these times, indicating a transition in state from foraging at night to bedding during the day. The ability of moose to adapt to this extreme thermal environment through thermoregulatory behaviors reveals the limitations of predicting species distributions based solely on theoretical temperature tolerances. Massachusetts has one of the highest rates of moose-vehicle collisions (MVCs) per-capita moose and resulting human fatalities. The majority (86%) of MVCs occurred on roads with high speed limits and traffic volumes, and occurred on these roads at much higher rates than would be predicted based on their availability on the landscape. The dense road network in Massachusetts had a strong negative effect on the movements and habitat selection patterns of moose. Moose avoided crossing roads and greatly reduced their use near roads. Road avoidance increased with increasing disturbance intensity associated with higher traffic volumes and busier times of day. Roadways reduced habitat availability and connectivity, were a major source of additive mortality for moose

MOOSE HABITAT IN MASSACHUSETTS: ASSESSING USE AT THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE RANGE

Moose (Alces alces) have recently re-occupied a portion of their range in the temperate deciduous forest of the northeastern United States after a more than 200 year absence. In southern New England, moose are exposed to a variety of forest types, increasing development, and higher ambient temperatures as compared to other parts of their geographic range. Additionally, large-scale disturbances that shape forest structure and expansive naturally occurring shrub-willow communities used commonly elsewhere are lacking. We used utilization distributions to determine third order habitat selection (selection within the home range) of GPS-collared moose. In central Massachusetts, forests regenerating from logging were the most heavily used cover type in all seasons (48 - 63% of core area use). Habitat use of moose in western Massachusetts varied more seasonally, with regenerating forests used most heavily in summer and fall (57 and 46%, respectively), conifer and mixed forests in winter (47 - 65%), and deciduous forests in spring (41%). This difference in habitat selection reflected the transition from northern forest types to more southern forest types across the state. The intensive use of patches of regenerating forest emphasizes the importance of sustainable forest harvesting to moose. This study provides the first assessment of habitat requirements in this southern portion of moose range and provides insights into re-establishment of moose in unoccupied portions of its historic range in New York and Pennsylvania

SPACE USE AND MOVEMENTS OF MOOSE IN MASSACHUSETTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION OF LARGE MAMMALS IN A FRAGMENTED ENVIRONMENT

Moose (Alces alces) have recently re-occupied a portion of their range in the temperate deciduous forest of the northeastern United States after a >200 year absence. In southern New England, moose encounter different forest types, more human development, and higher temperatures than in other parts of their geographic range in North America. We analyzed seasonal minimum convex polygon home ranges, utilization distributions, movement rates, and home range composition of GPS-collared moose in Massachusetts. Seasonal home range sizes were not different for males and females and were within the range reported for low latitudes elsewhere in North America. Seasonal movement patterns reflected the seasonal changes in metabolic rate and the influence of the species’ reproductive cycle and weather. Home ranges consisted almost entirely of forested habitat, included large amounts of conservation land, and had lower road densities as compared to the landscape as a whole, indicating that human development may be a limiting factor for moose in the region. The size and configuration of home ranges, seasonal movement patterns, and use relative to human development have implications for conservation of moose and other wide-ranging species in more highly developed portions of their ranges

STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF MOOSE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Moose (Alces alces) populations have been recovered in much of their historic range in the northeastern United States in the past 30 years, with their southern range edge extending to southern New England and northern New York. This southerly expansion occurred when certain other populations in the United States were in decline along the southern range edge, with climate change often cited as a probable cause. The areas that moose have recently occupied in the northeastern United States are some of the most densely human populated in moose range, which has raised concern about human safety and moose-vehicle collisions (MVC). We conducted a literature search about moose in the northeastern United States, and distributed a questionnaire and conducted phone interviews with regional biologists responsible for moose management to determine the status of moose, management activity, and research deficiencies and needs. Moose numbers appear stable throughout much of the region, with slow population growth in northern New York. Management activity ranges from regulated harvest of moose in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, to no active management in southern New England and New York. The combined annual harvest in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont is >3,000. MVCs are a widespread regional concern with >1,000 occurring annually involving several human fatalities. Research should address impact of parasitism by winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) and brain-worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) on productivity and mortality of moose, influence of climate change on population dynamics and range, and conflicts in areas with high human population density

LMDA Canada: Canadian Newsletter, November 16, 1998

Contents include: Letter from the Editor, Effing the Ineffable, Adapting Theatre History, A Readiness to Receive, The Theatre Center Proudly Presents Body Geometry, Necessary Theatre Manifesto, Writing out Dramaturgy, Report from the Rock, Out of the Blocks and Onto the Track, Rocky Mountain Highs: Dramaturgy and the 1998 playRites Colony, News from the Factory Theatre, Theatre Centre Research Programhttps://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/lmdanewsletter/1030/thumbnail.jp

Moving in the anthropocene: global reductions in terrestrial mammalian movements

Animal movement is fundamental for ecosystem functioning and species survival, yet the effects of the anthropogenic footprint on animal movements have not been estimated across species. Using a unique GPS-tracking database of 803 individuals across 57 species, we found that movements of mammals in areas with a comparatively high human footprint were on average one-half to one-third the extent of their movements in areas with a low human footprint. We attribute this reduction to behavioral changes of individual animals and to the exclusion of species with long-range movements from areas with higher human impact. Global loss of vagility alters a key ecological trait of animals that affects not only population persistence but also ecosystem processes such as predator-prey interactions, nutrient cycling, and disease transmission

Status, Movements, and Habitat Use of Moose in Massachusetts

Moose (Alces alces) have been re-established in much of the historic range in the northeastern United States. Recently the southern edge of the species ranges has been extended southward into southern New England and northern New York from established populations in northern New England. The southern expansion raised questions as to the ability of this northern species to cope with higher temperatures, areas densely populated by humans, and different forest types further south. In light of these recent developments, we conducted a literature search on moose in the northeastern United States and distributed a questionnaire and conducted phone interviews with biologists responsible for moose management across the region to determine the status and management of moose in New England and New York. Furthermore, in 2006 we initiated a study on the home ranges, movements, and habitat use of moose in Massachusetts. We captured and collared moose with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars to track their movements in the Commonwealth. The surveys and interviews with the state biologists revealed that moose populations appeared to be stabilizing in southern New England. However, the moose population continued to grow in northern New York. Moose populations in northern New England were managed with an annual fall harvest, but moose hunting was not allowed in southern New England or New York. Throughout the region moose vehicle collisions were a major concern (\u3e1,000 occur each year) including several that resulted in human fatalities. The collaring study has revealed the importance of maintaining a variety of forest cover types, age classes, and wetland habitats to meet the seasonal needs of moose, including early successional habitats created by logging that appear to be important for moose. Mean home range sizes were 64.9 km2 (SE = 12.9) and 73.3 km2 (SE = 9.4), respectively, for females and males in central Massachusetts, and 164.5 km2 (SE = 62.6) for males in western Massachusetts. Moose often interacted with roads and human development on the uplands, but used less developed areas of their home ranges. This demonstrates the importance of preserving the integrity and connectivity of the forested landscape of Massachusetts