Macro-Nutritional Adaptive Strategies of Moose ( Alces alces ) Related to Population Density

• Published in: Animals
• Main Authors: Yingjie Ma, Heng Bao, Roberta Bencini, David Raubenheimer, Hongliang Dou, Hui Liu, Sirui Wang, Guangshun Jiang
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019
• Subjects: moose; nutritional strategy; n:c; forage quality; forage availability; nutritional geometry; Veterinary medicine; SF600-1100; Zoology; QL1-991; Alces alces
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010073; https://doaj.org/article/2a65c571c3c0437da8e339880df0aaac

The distribution area of moose in China has been shrinking back toward the north and northeast because of climate change and human disturbance, and the population number has been declining. Between 2011 and 2015, we studied moose at six sites in the northeast of China during the snowy seasons. We collected fecal samples and plant samples that were used to estimate population densities for moose, as well as their macro-nutrient selection. Out of a total of 257 fecal samples collected at six sites, we identified a total of 120 individual moose (57 females and 63 males). The population density (moose/km 2 ± SE) was highest at Hanma with 0.305 ± 0.064 moose/km 2 and lowest at Meitian with only 0.028 ± 0.013 moose/km 2 . Forage availability was different among sites, with the lowest availability at Mohe (58.17 number/20 m 2 ) and highest was Zhanhe (250.44 number/20 m 2 ). Moose at Zhanhe, Hanma, and Nanwenghe had a balanced diet with higher N:C (1:7), while at Meitian, Shuanghe and Mohe the N:C was 1:8. Our results indicate that the southern areas had low forage quality and quantity and this may be the reason for the distribution of the population of moose shrinking northward.