Analysis of Population Statistics (1985-1994) and Habitat (1955-1991) for Moose('Alces alces') in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Final Report

摘要

The objective of the analysis of the population statistics was to gain as muchinsight into the future prospects for the moose population in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula as permitted by the relatively short, nine year historical record. Questions of concern were (1) long run stability of the population, (2) extremes of fluctuations, (3) importance of exogenous and endogenous factors that are potentially limiting to the growth and stability of the population, including weather, disease, predation, loss of habitat, and intra-specific and inter-specific competition, and (4) probable impact of a hunting season. It was obviously not possible to obtain answers to all these questions due to the short time span over which data was available but, nevertheless, certain informative results were obtained which may help to somewhat reduce the overall level of uncertainty about the future of the population.