Interrelationship of Forage and Moose in Game Management Unit 13. Research Final Performance Report, 1 July 1995-30 June 2001

摘要

Key activities of this study were to determine diet quality, browse availability, and browsing effects. Feltleaf willow (Salix alaxensis) within exclosures in Tyone Creek and Oshetna River drainages were clipped at 30, 60, and 90 percent in winters 1996, 1997, and 1999 to simulate light, medium and heavy rates of utilization by moose. After 4 years of sustained utilization, catkin production was directly proportional to the number of twigs unbrowsed in the previous winter and, therefore, was not a good indicator of plant vigor.