COMBINING PHOTOGRAPHY AND A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO MEASURE WINTER BROWSE USE

• Main Authors: Roy V. Rea, Jamie D. Svendsen, Hugues B. Massicotte
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 2016
• Subjects: browse; clipping; forage; gis; range; survey; twig; ungulate; willow; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Ecology; QH540-549.5; Alces alces
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/1616c53297f04c06a51fdd090a1817b3

Browse use surveys such as the twig-length method typically used to assess browsing by ungulates are time-consuming and costly. Here, we describe a modification of the twig-length method that utilizes digital photography and a Geographic Information System (GIS) technique to quantify browse shoot removal. Linear regression analysis indicated that the cumulative shoot length (cm) and biomass removal (g) estimated with our indirect method was similar to direct measurements on Scouler’s willows (Salix scouleriana). Our results suggest that this indirect browse assessment procedure could reduce field time, presumably increase sample size and efficiency, and create a photographic record of each plant for long-term assessment of moose (Alces alces) browsing.