EFFECTS OF PLANT COMPENSATION ACROSS SITES ON REGRESSION ESTIMATES OF SHOOT BIOMASS AND LENGTH

Regression estimates for determining browse shoot biomass from bite diameters and shoot basal diameters are commonly used to estimate biomass consumption and the impacts that herbivores have on range resources. Such estimates tend to be based on equations built from data taken across the continuum of shoot morphometries present on plants within a given study area. How these morphometric relationships differ between the shoots of undamaged and damaged (e.g., following browsing, shoot breakage, or brush-cutting) plants is unclear. To assess the effects of plant compensation and the importance of site on shoot morphometrics for Scouler's Willow (Salix scouleriana), we clipped and measured current annual shoots at 5 sites in central British Columbia. Each site had been previously brush-cut and current annual shoots were collected from both brush-cut and control willows. For each treatment and site, we developed separate regressions to predict shoot weight from length, weight from basal diameter, and length from basal diameter. Comparisons of individual regressions indicated that different regressions, or even different forms of regressions (i.e., power function versus linear), are needed to accurately predict shoot weight and length depending on whether or not plants are producing compensatory or non-compensatory shoots. For some willows in the same treatment category (brush-cut versus uncut), the appropriate regressions differed among some sites. These results suggest that the effects of plant compensation following mechanical damage have important implications to the extrapolation and interpretation of shoot morphometric relationships, and thus, biomass estimates across different study areas

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT NOCTURNAL ACTIVITY OF MOOSE?

Study of activity and behavior of moose (Alces alces) has generally been undertaken during daylight hours because research at night is logistically complicated. However, some believe that moose are as or more active at night than day, thus, the amount and content of research about moose activity could be considered diurnally-biased. We conducted a review of the literature to determine what is known regarding nocturnal activity of moose and found that only 2.2% of all articles published about moose activity and behavior refer to nocturnal activity. Studies designed specifically to document nocturnal activity were mostly related to moose-vehicle collisions and use of mineral licks. Recent and increased use of GPS radio-collars will provide more and easier opportunities to distinguish and analyze diurnal and nocturnal activity of moose. Such information is important to understand better a variety of aspects of moose behavior and activity including predator-prey interactions, influence of human disturbances, relationships among habitat use, thermal stress, and climate change

Use of Trembling Aspen Bark by Moose in a Browse-Abundant Habitat During Winter

Abstract Moose (Alces alces) are reported to feed on the bark of hardwood trees in winter only when browse plants are in short supply. Our observations during a wildlife research and monitoring project at the Prince George regional airport, Prince George, British Columbia in February 2008, however, revealed that Moose ate the bark of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees even when other more preferred browse plants, such as red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), appeared plentiful. Although more extensive surveys should be conducted throughout the winter, our findings suggest that Moose may consume bark in winter as part of a "forage mixing strategy" rather than as an attempt to avoid starvation

MORPHOMETRY OF MOOSE ANTLERS IN CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA

We analyzed the morphometry of 1,965 sets of antlers from hunter-harvested moose (Alces alces andersoni) taken in the central interior of British Columbia. We describe the variation and age-related changes in antler and brow palm form, number of points on both main and brow palms, maximum spread, height and width of palmations, distance between innermost points on the brow palms, and shaft circumference. Architecturally 25% were cervicorn pole type (PT); 75% were palmicorn with 67% split palm (SP) and 8% full palm (FP). Palmicorn antlers were most common in all age classes. Cervicorn antlers were most common in younger moose (1.5-3.5 years), and rare in moose >4.5 years. Of all antlers collected, 30% had forked brows and 12% had palmated brows. Forked brow palms increased with age; they occurred in 10% of moose 1.5 years old and 40-50% of moose >4.5 years old. The frequency of palmated brow palms increased quickly from 1.5 (2.5%) to 5.5 years (25%), peaked at 13.5 years (40%), before declining in later years. The number of points generally increased from 1.5-7.5 years, and remained stable thereafter. Maximum spread and shaft circumference generally increased from 1.5-13.5 years and decreased thereafter. Maximum antler height and width of main palms increased from 1.5-9.5 years; the first remained stable and the latter declined thereafter. Distance between the inner most points on the brow palms narrowed from 1.5-4.5 years, remained constant to 11.5 years, and then widened thereafter. Antler point counts were the most variable, whereas shaft circumference was the least variable form

COMBINING PHOTOGRAPHY AND A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO MEASURE WINTER BROWSE USE

Browse use surveys such as the twig-length method typically used to assess browsing by ungulates are time-consuming and costly. Here, we describe a modification of the twig-length method that utilizes digital photography and a Geographic Information System (GIS) technique to quantify browse shoot removal. Linear regression analysis indicated that the cumulative shoot length (cm) and biomass removal (g) estimated with our indirect method was similar to direct measurements on Scouler’s willows (Salix scouleriana). Our results suggest that this indirect browse assessment procedure could reduce field time, presumably increase sample size and efficiency, and create a photographic record of each plant for long-term assessment of moose (Alces alces) browsing

YOUTUBE (TM) INSIGHTS INTO MOOSE-TRAIN INTERACTIONS

To gain a better understanding of the behavioral aspects of moose-train encounters, we reviewed videos of ungulate-train interactions available on YouTubetmand from train operators. Video footage consisted of 21 animal-train encounters including moose (Alces alces; 47.4%), cattle (Bos taurus; 15.8%), deer (Odocoileus spp.; 10.5%), elk (Cervus elaphus; 10.5%), camels (Camelus dromedarius; 10.5%), and sheep (Ovis aries; 5.3%). Footage was recorded predominantly in snow-free conditions, but most moose-train interactions were in winter when moose appeared to be trapped by deep snow banks along rail beds. Moose, elk, and deer all ran along the rail bed primarily inside of the tracks and nearer the rails than track center. Collision mortality generally occurred on straight stretches of track. Escapes occurred where a discontinuity in the habitat/setting occurred and/or when train speed was reduced. We suggest that videos can provide a valuable resource for interpreting ungulate reactions to trains and that videos gathered purposefully on railways and posted on open source databases will be useful for studying the dynamics of moose-train collisions for mitigation planning

PERCEPTIONS OF MOOSE-HUMAN CONFLICTS IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Urban expansion produces obvious and deleterious ecological effects on wildlife habitat. Land development plans continue to be approved in Prince George, British Columbia, both within and on proximate land that is occupied by moose (Alces alces). We surveyed 100 residents of Prince George to determine how they perceive potential conflicts with moose and compared those perceptions with available local data. The majority (~75%) indicated that there were <50 moose-human encounterswithin Prince George in any given year; however, 222 moose-related reports occurred from April 2007-March 2008. This discrepancy indicates that the public probably underestimates both the presence of moose and moose-human conflicts in Prince George. We did not find that outdoor enthusiasts were more knowledgeable than others about managing moose-human conflicts, suggesting that broad public education and awareness programs are warranted. Understanding how to respond to moose and developing a “Moose Aware” program were two suggested strategies to reduce conflict. The vast majority of residents (92%) enjoy moose and want moose to remain part of the Prince George environment; only 9% were in favour of euthanasia or sharp-shooting to resolve conflicts. Because 40% indicated that the best option was leaving moose alone, managers will need to develop more effective strategies to minimize and manage moose-human conflicts

COMPENSATORY SHOOT GROWTH IN TREMBLING ASPEN (POPULUS TREMULOIDES MICHX.) IN RESPONSE TO SIMULATED BROWSING

Moose (Alces alces) browsing influences plant growth and architecture. We sought to determine the impact of the timing of moose browsing on bud development and growth in aspen shoots in the subsequent spring through simulation by clipping aspen (Populus tremuloides) stems in the field in June, July, and August 2005 at the University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC. To observe new leaf+shoot development in aspen over a 60-day period, the top meristems of both simulated browse treatments and unbrowsed controls were harvested in January 2006, and incubated in a growth chamber that simulated local springtime conditions. Total leaf+shoot biomass produced from stems was higher for June- and August-’browsed’ stems relative to unbrowsed controls. Mean stem diameter was significantly higher and number of total buds significantly lower on clipped relative to unclipped stems. The number of buds that broke winter dormancy and became active in the growth chamber remained relatively constant for both clipped and unclipped aspen, but with fewer dormant buds on clipped stems than controls. Overall, our findings suggest that the mechanical effects of moose browsing on aspen stimulate the production of compensatory leaf+shoot biomass, and therefore potential browse

PERCEPTIONS OF MOOSE-HUMAN CONFLICTS IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Urban expansion produces obvious and deleterious ecological effects on wildlife habitat. Land development plans continue to be approved in Prince George, British Columbia, both within and on proximate land that is occupied by moose (Alces alces). We surveyed 100 residents of Prince George to determine how they perceive potential conflicts with moose and compared those perceptions with available local data. The majority (~75%) indicated that there were <50 moose-human encounterswithin Prince George in any given year; however, 222 moose-related reports occurred from April 2007-March 2008. This discrepancy indicates that the public probably underestimates both the presence of moose and moose-human conflicts in Prince George. We did not find that outdoor enthusiasts were more knowledgeable than others about managing moose-human conflicts, suggesting that broad public education and awareness programs are warranted. Understanding how to respond to moose and developing a “Moose Aware” program were two suggested strategies to reduce conflict. The vast majority of residents (92%) enjoy moose and want moose to remain part of the Prince George environment; only 9% were in favour of euthanasia or sharp-shooting to resolve conflicts. Because 40% indicated that the best option was leaving moose alone, managers will need to develop more effective strategies to minimize and manage moose-human conflicts

AGE, SEX, AND SEASONAL DIFFERENCES OF CARCASS WEIGHTS OF MOOSE FROM THE CENTRAL INTERIOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Carcass weight (4 quarters without head, hide, lower legs, or internal organs) of moose (Alces alces) harvested in 1995-2007 in the Omineca sub-region of the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada were obtained from meat cutters records submitted to the Conservation Officer Service, Prince George, British Columbia. Mean carcass weight of male calves (<1 year) was 82 ± 16 (SD) kg and was not different (P = 0.629) from that of female calves that was 81 ± 13 kg. Mean carcass weight of juvenile bulls (spike/fork antlers) was 162 ± 21 kg. The mean carcass weight (249 ± 37) of adult bulls (larger than spike/fork antlers) was heavier (25%, P <0.001) than that of adult cows (199 ± 29 kg. Mean carcass weight of adult bulls was heavier (14 kg or 5.9% of carcass weight, P = 0.002) in the pre-rut (10-25 September) than post-rut period (16-31 October); a similar change did not occur in juvenile bulls (P = 0.244). The mean carcass weights of calves (P = 0.651) and adult cows (P = 0.142) were not different between the October and late November-early December hunting seasons. Carcass weights and sexual size dimorphism for moose from the Omineca were mostly similar to those from European and North American ranges. We recommend increased collection of biological data at hunter check stations to provide more accurate body weight data and associated relationships