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Lindqvist, Sara, 2012. Moose foraging patterns : implications for the use of browsing indices. Second cycle, A2E. Grimsö and Uppsala: SLU, Dept. of Ecology

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Abstract

ABSTRACT
Moose (Alces alces) foraging on young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) might reduce economical profit in forestry due to deteriorated log quality and biomass loss. Different indices are used to quantitatively estimate browsing effect on this tree species. I wanted to compare the relationship between two commonly applied survey methods for assessing browsing: the Moose Damage and the Browsing Pressure surveys. Furthermore a variety of factors influencing browsing intensity have been identified, yet moose selectivity for apical or lateral shoots of Scots pine has never been tested. Data on damage and browsing pressure was collected in young Scots pine stands (n=60 stands) within the southern boreal zone in Sweden. Logistic models were fitted to test the relationship between the indices and other factors possibly influencing the relation: pine density and mean stand height. Moose browsed the same relative proportions of apical and lateral shoots in relation to availability and there was no significant difference in selectivity towards either of the shoot categories, suggesting that moose forage shoots proportionally to what is available. The relationship between the two browsing indices was significant but the fit was not statistically perfect. Damage and browsing pressure most often coincided but browsing pressure did not always equate to stem damage. The Moose Damage survey could be used in favor of Browsing Pressure survey although both pine density and mean stand height also significantly affected the relationship between the methods. Hence using stem damage to predict browsing pressure (and vice versa) should be done with caution.

Main title:Moose foraging patterns
Subtitle:implications for the use of browsing indices
Authors:Lindqvist, Sara
Supervisor:Månsson, Johan and Roberge, Jean-Michel
Examiner:Jansson, Gunnar
Series:Självständigt arbete/Examensarbete / SLU, Institutionen för ekologi
Volume/Sequential designation:2012:17
Year of Publication:2012
Level and depth descriptor:Second cycle, A2E
Student's programme affiliation:None
Supervising department:(NL, NJ) > Dept. of Ecology
Keywords:Alces alces, selectivity, Scots pine, browsing pressure, stem damage
URN:NBN:urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-1893
Permanent URL:
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-1893
Subject. Use of subject categories until 2023-04-30.:Forest injuries and protection
Animal ecology
Language:English
Deposited On:04 Dec 2012 14:27
Metadata Last Modified:04 Dec 2012 14:27

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