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Alces : A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose
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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 2293-6629
Published by Lakehead University

[4 journals]

WINTER HABITAT SELECTION OF MOOSE IN MAINE AND RUMINATIONS ON THE IMPACT
OF CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS
- Authors: Asha DiMatteo-LePape, Sabrina Morano, Sandra De Urioste-Stone, Lee E. Kantar
  Pages: 15 - 33
  Abstract: Winter habitat use by moose (Alces alces) in response to climate change may reflect shifts in biotic and abiotic stressors that pose both environmental challenges and opportunities. Snow depth, temperature, winter length, and forest composition influence moose mobility, habitat use, and access to forage and cover resources. We analyzed habitat selection in winter home ranges of adult female moose (n = 96) over the course of six winters (2014–2019) to explore the influence of winter weather and forest composition on landscape and habitat use. Second order (home range) resource selection functions were estimated using generalized linear mixed models. Moose selected most strongly for forest habitat, specifically evergreen and mixed forests, which had similar strength of selection and represented ~50% of home ranges. The models identified a slight positive association with regenerating forest, although high levels of variance indicated a weak relationship. Contrary to our prediction, we did not detect any influence of weather conditions on winter habitat selection. Maine’s mosaic of forest types and commercial forestry seemingly provide adequate food and cover resources for moose regardless of winter conditions, with the three habitat types selected for representing ~70% of home ranges. Due to the coarse resolution of the data we analyzed, more specific data on forest structure such as stand age, canopy, and forage species may be required to identify finer relationships in habitat use and specific resource requirements during winter. It is possible that other factors associated with climate change, such as increases in deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations, parasites, and disease will have greater influence on moose than habitat per se. However, because these potential influences are indirectly related to habitat use by moose, further research is warranted to best understand the multiple factors and relationships affecting winter habitat use.
  PubDate: 2024-01-28
  Issue No: Vol. 59 (2024)
GROWTH AND VITAL SIGNS OF HAND-RAISED MOOSE CALVES IN ALASKA
- Authors: Daniel P. Thompson, John A. Crouse, Stacy Crouse, Sarah M. Newberry, Bridgett M. Benedict
  Pages: 53 - 67
  Abstract: Moose (Alces alces) have been raised in captivity for research and educational purposes for decades. Past research has focused mostly on milk replacer diets to produce healthy calves, with limited research of vital signs associated with routine health checks of young animals. We hand-raised 20 calves in 4 cohorts (2009, 2012, 2019, 2021) using commercially available milk replacers mixed with water only, and measured vital signs of 11 calves in 2019 and 2021. Growth rate from birth through weaning was 0.98 ± 0.02 kg • d-1, with maximum growth rate of ~1.3 kg • d-1 sustained for 6 weeks after weaning was initiated. Heart rate declined with age from 103.5 ± 2.6 beats • min-1 at 5 days old to 81.6 beats at 80 days old, whereas respiration rate increased from 16.3 ± 2.5 to 36.7 ± 4.4 breaths • min-1. Respiration rate increased with ambient air temperature from 11.1 ± 2.9 breaths • min-1 at 9 °C to 45.2 ± 3.2 at 26 °C. Respiration rate was highly variable after 3-week old calves began daily walks in a larger enclosure and ambient air temperature increased towards the summer maxima (July). Mean rectal temperature was 38.5 ± 0.03°C, and declined marginally with increasing vapor pressure and wind speed. Our hand-raising protocol and milk replacer diets produced calf growth rates higher than those reported previously, and similar to dam-raised calves consuming pelleted ration and available grass forage.
  PubDate: 2024-02-09
  Issue No: Vol. 59 (2024)
HABITAT USE AND SELECTION BY ADULT FEMALE MOOSE IN NORTHWESTERN MONTANA:
VEGETATION TYPES, FOREST DISTURBANCE, AND THERMAL REFUGE
- Authors: Richard B. Harris, Nicholas J. DeCesare, Jesse R. Newby, Collin J. Peterson
  Pages: 69 - 98
  Abstract: We studied summer and winter habitat use and selection of 34 GPS radio-collared adult female moose (Alces alces) living in largely managed coniferous forests in the Cabinet and Salish Mountains in northwestern Montana during 2013-2022. We built resource-selection function (RSF) models at the 2nd and 3rd order scales, and supplemented them by examining functional response to resource availability. We also assessed whether habitat selection was influenced by ambient temperature and used independently obtained field data to gain insight about the abundance of 2 important dietary shrubs, Salix spp. and Ceanothus velutinus. Moose selected strongly for intermediate elevations, denser canopy cover, and riparian habitats, but against non-vegetated and pine-dominated stands. As expected given their preference for deciduous shrubs, moose selectively used cut stands after the initial decade post-timber harvest. We observed a subtle preference for uneven-aged versus even-aged treated stands. Although uncommon, burned areas were used by moose, particularly ~15-35 years post-burn when conditions were conducive for Salix spp. and C. velutinus. Moose made subtle adjustments in habitat selection based on time-of-day and the prevailing temperature, exhibiting behavior consistent with the hypothesis that they seek cooler microclimates to aid thermoregulation. To benefit moose, habitat management in these and similar systems should diversify forest structure by setting back succession through timber harvest and allowing fires where possible, while providing mature proximate coniferous canopy for thermal relief.
  PubDate: 2024-07-18
  Issue No: Vol. 59 (2024)
SALIVARY CORTISOL RESPONSE TO FLIES BY MOOSE CALVES
- Authors: Bridgett M. Benedict, Daniel P. Thompson, John A. Crouse, Phillip T. Schults, Gabriel L. Hamer, Perry S. Barboza
  Pages: 1 - 13
  Abstract: Young animals are particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors that can impair growth and compromise survival. We used salivary cortisol, a glucocorticosteroid hormone, to measure possible stress response of moose calves in Alaska to the abundance of biting and non-biting flies relative to calf age, time of day, and ambient air temperature. We measured salivary cortisol in 5 captive calves up to 4 times daily on 25 days in June-August with corresponding on-host fly collections. We simultaneously collected 2,618 flies, of which 68% were moose flies (Haematobosca alcis), 13% coprophagous flies, 9% mosquitoes (Culicidae), 5% horse and deer flies (Tabanidae), and 2% black flies (Simuliidae). The proportion of moose flies increased steadily, representing nearly all flies by study end. Salivary cortisol levels were minimal and similar (<0.2 μg·dL-1) from 25 to 89 days of age at ambient temperatures ranging from 13 to 34ºC, and did not increase with relative fly abundance. The lack of cortisol response is consistent with observations of minimal reaction to most flies by moose. The dense and fuzzy characteristics of calf pelage may provide a unique, protective barrier to minimize fly bites and exposure to pathogens sometimes associated with wounds or bites. Although a cortisol response to flies was not detected, vector borne pathogens are predicted to increase in a warming climate and warrant surveillance as part of proactive moose management.
  PubDate: 2023-09-10
  Issue No: Vol. 59 (2023)
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL HETEROGENEITY IN THERMAL CONDITIONS FOR WILDLIFE
- Authors: Nicholas J. DeCesare, Richard B. Harris, Jesse R. Newby, Collin J. Peterson
  Pages: 35 - 51
  Abstract: Temperature is an important component of climatic conditions that drive animal evolution, niche space, and life history traits. We used field-deployed temperature sensors and generalized linear mixed-effects models to quantify the spatiotemporal variation of ambient temperatures in three study areas of western Montana, in support of concurrent studies of moose ecology and population dynamics. We found substantial potential for thermal refuge for moose; temperature ranges observed simultaneously among sites within study areas averaged 7.0°C during summer and 6.1°C during winter. We considered 6 site variables hypothesized to affect local temperatures (elevation, topographic position, aspect, land cover type, forest canopy cover, and the interaction of land cover and solar radiation), and all contributed to model performance. However, the direction and magnitude of effects varied in a cyclic fashion during the 24-hour diel cycle, and in many cases, exhibited reversed effects between day and night. Although spatial heterogeneity in temperature during summer was only slightly higher than during winter, our ability to explain such pattern was much better during summer (average R2 = 0.51–0.56) than during winter (average R2 = 0.09–0.23). We encourage researchers and managers to explore field collection and spatiotemporal modeling of temperature sensor data for cost-effect description of thermal environments for wildlife in local settings.
  PubDate: 2023-12-01
  Issue No: Vol. 59 (2023)

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