Use of Trembling Aspen Bark by Moose in a Browse-Abundant Habitat During Winter

• Main Authors: Roy V Rea, Annie L Booth
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Alces alces
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.1038.1038; http://www.wildlifebc.org/pdfs/aug%202012/ReaBooth8.1Red.pdf

Abstract Moose (Alces alces) are reported to feed on the bark of hardwood trees in winter only when browse plants are in short supply. Our observations during a wildlife research and monitoring project at the Prince George regional airport, Prince George, British Columbia in February 2008, however, revealed that Moose ate the bark of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees even when other more preferred browse plants, such as red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), appeared plentiful. Although more extensive surveys should be conducted throughout the winter, our findings suggest that Moose may consume bark in winter as part of a "forage mixing strategy" rather than as an attempt to avoid starvation.