THINNING RESIDUES AS A SOURCE OF BROWSE FOR MOOSE IN MANAGED FORESTS IN FINLAND
Moose (Alces alces) browsing causes considerable damage in young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands in Finland. In this study, we examined the possibility of increasing moose browse in managed forests by providing cutting residues (i.e., the tops of different tree species) from commercial thinning...
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Lakehead University
2000
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ftjalces:oai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/631 2023-05-15T13:13:30+02:00 THINNING RESIDUES AS A SOURCE OF BROWSE FOR MOOSE IN MANAGED FORESTS IN FINLAND Heikkilä, Risto Härkönen, Sauli 2000-01-01 application/pdf http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/631 eng eng Lakehead University http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/631/711 http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/631 Alces: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose; Vol. 36 (2000): Alces Vol. 36 (2000); 85-92 2293-6629 0835-5851 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Peer-reviewed Article 2000 ftjalces 2022-02-12T19:35:49Z Moose (Alces alces) browsing causes considerable damage in young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands in Finland. In this study, we examined the possibility of increasing moose browse in managed forests by providing cutting residues (i.e., the tops of different tree species) from commercial thinnings made in early or midwinter. The study was carried out in 24 thinned stands in southern and central Finland during 1993-98. Moose browsing on cut tree tops was measured on circular plots, as well as at feeding sites with salt (Na+) stones and on plots where the cut tree tops were raised up from the ground. The biomass of tree tops consumed in the thinned stands was even greater than that measured in young pine stands. The biomass consumption was increased by propping the tree tops against standing trees or rocks. Placing salt stones to attract moose had no effect on browsing on the pine tops raised up at the feeding sites. The phenolic acid concentrations were generally higher in the cut pine tops than in the side twigs of standing trees or in young pines, indicating that the high consumption by moose was not explained by low phenolic acid concentrations. According to the fecal pellet groups, 19-23 moose days/ha were spent in the thinned stands. We estimate that a 10 ha cutting area would provide food during 2 winter months for moose at a density of 1 animal/km2. We conclude that more accessible winter food can be provided by timing the cuttings in early and midwinter. Article in Journal/Newspaper Alces alces Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose) Midwinter ENVELOPE(139.931,139.931,-66.690,-66.690) |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose) |
op_collection_id |
ftjalces |
language |
English |
description |
Moose (Alces alces) browsing causes considerable damage in young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands in Finland. In this study, we examined the possibility of increasing moose browse in managed forests by providing cutting residues (i.e., the tops of different tree species) from commercial thinnings made in early or midwinter. The study was carried out in 24 thinned stands in southern and central Finland during 1993-98. Moose browsing on cut tree tops was measured on circular plots, as well as at feeding sites with salt (Na+) stones and on plots where the cut tree tops were raised up from the ground. The biomass of tree tops consumed in the thinned stands was even greater than that measured in young pine stands. The biomass consumption was increased by propping the tree tops against standing trees or rocks. Placing salt stones to attract moose had no effect on browsing on the pine tops raised up at the feeding sites. The phenolic acid concentrations were generally higher in the cut pine tops than in the side twigs of standing trees or in young pines, indicating that the high consumption by moose was not explained by low phenolic acid concentrations. According to the fecal pellet groups, 19-23 moose days/ha were spent in the thinned stands. We estimate that a 10 ha cutting area would provide food during 2 winter months for moose at a density of 1 animal/km2. We conclude that more accessible winter food can be provided by timing the cuttings in early and midwinter. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Heikkilä, Risto Härkönen, Sauli |
spellingShingle |
Heikkilä, Risto Härkönen, Sauli THINNING RESIDUES AS A SOURCE OF BROWSE FOR MOOSE IN MANAGED FORESTS IN FINLAND |
author_facet |
Heikkilä, Risto Härkönen, Sauli |
author_sort |
Heikkilä, Risto |
title |
THINNING RESIDUES AS A SOURCE OF BROWSE FOR MOOSE IN MANAGED FORESTS IN FINLAND |
title_short |
THINNING RESIDUES AS A SOURCE OF BROWSE FOR MOOSE IN MANAGED FORESTS IN FINLAND |
title_full |
THINNING RESIDUES AS A SOURCE OF BROWSE FOR MOOSE IN MANAGED FORESTS IN FINLAND |
title_fullStr |
THINNING RESIDUES AS A SOURCE OF BROWSE FOR MOOSE IN MANAGED FORESTS IN FINLAND |
title_full_unstemmed |
THINNING RESIDUES AS A SOURCE OF BROWSE FOR MOOSE IN MANAGED FORESTS IN FINLAND |
title_sort |
thinning residues as a source of browse for moose in managed forests in finland |
publisher |
Lakehead University |
publishDate |
2000 |
url |
http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/631 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(139.931,139.931,-66.690,-66.690) |
geographic |
Midwinter |
geographic_facet |
Midwinter |
genre |
Alces alces |
genre_facet |
Alces alces |
op_source |
Alces: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose; Vol. 36 (2000): Alces Vol. 36 (2000); 85-92 2293-6629 0835-5851 |
op_relation |
http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/631/711 http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/631 |
_version_ |
1766258753242398720 |