THE IMPACT OF MOOSE ON ASH PRODUCTIVITY

• Main Authors: Lozinov, Georgy L., Kuznetsov, German V.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 2002
• Subjects: Tula; Alces alces
• Online Access: http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1849

Data characterizing the impact of moose (Alces alces) on ash (Fraxinus spp.) seedlings in the broad–leaved forests of the Tula region are given. Resistance of ash to the strong browsing pressure is shown and also the resulting peculiarities of crown structure, including the position of shoots and branches. When ash is isolated from moose, annual accretion of shoot phytomass is 5 times more than in locations where ash is exposed to browsing; in leaves, phytomass is 10–12 times more than browsed ash. The large number of shoots and a great quantity of large leaves are considered as an adaptation of the ash tree to survival under the browsing pressure of moose.