MOOSE SELECTION OF CANOPY COVER TYPES RELATED TO OPERATIVE TEMPERATURE, FORAGE, AND SNOW DEPTH

Simple linear and muliple regressions were used to determine the contr ibution of operative temperature (T(e)), forage, and snow depth to moo se (Alces alces) selection of canopy cover types. The number of degree -hours for which T(e) exceeded the thermal limit at which panting is r equired to dissipate metabolic heat contributed significantly to selec tion during summer (1 June - 15 September) and late winter (16 January - 15 April). Forage explained canopy cover selection in early winter (16 November - 15 January) and contributed significantly to the best e quation describing habitat selection during late winter. Snow depth co ntributed to habitat selection in early winter but was not related to habitat selection during late winter. During summer, moose generally s elected against sites where T(e) exceeded 30-degrees-C, the thermal li mit requiring panting to dissipate metabolic heat. During late winter, moose also generally avoided canopy covers where T(e) commonly exceed ed 8-degrees-C, the temperature at which panting is required to dissip ate heat. During early winter, moose apparently suffered minimal heat stress, as T(e) remained below 0-degrees-C; consequently, moose select ed canopy cover types that provided comparatively high forage availabi lity.