A habitat suitability index model to assess moose habitat selection at multiple spatial scales

摘要

We developed a habitat suitability index (HSI) model for moose (Alces alces) in the boreal forest,. The model used two components: a suitability index for food (SI_(food)) and another for the interspersion between cover and food (SI_(edge)). We used forest maps as the input data source, and the value of each stand type in terms of cover and food was based on field surveys To validate the model, the habitat preference of moose equipped with global positioning system telemetry collars was assessed at both landscape and home-range scales. We expected the habitat-preference index to correlate with suitability indices determined using the global model and each of its two components. Habitat suitability was assessed in evaluation plots of 500, 100, and 10ha. Unexpectedly, the habitat-preference index correlated better with SI_(food) and SI_(edge) than with the global model. The suitability indices also performed better when assessed in large plots. Selection of 500 ha plots related mostly to SI_(edge),but SI_(food) was more important when smaller evaluation plots were used, especially for males. Females preferred plots with intermediate SI_(food) values. At the fine scale, SI_(edge) was not as attractive to moose as was previously observed, presumablybecause snow conditions prevailing in our study area were relatively moderate We recommend utilizing the model with SI_(edge) in large plots (ca, 500 ha) and SI_(food) in smaller plots. Our model could be adapted and applied to other areas by using empirical data to adjust the relative value of stand types in terms of cover and food.