Gj. Forbes et Jb. Theberge, MULTIPLE LANDSCAPE SCALES AND WINTER DISTRIBUTION OF MOOSE, ALCES-ALCES, IN A FOREST ECOTONE, Canadian field-naturalist, 107(2), 1993, pp. 201-207
Winter distribution and abundance of Moose (Alces alces) was studied i
n relation to habitat use and habitat disturbance at local and regiona
l landscape scales in Algonquin Provincial Park. central Ontario. Thir
teen years of government aerial population survey data (1976-1988) wer
e supplemented with spring pellet surveys of eight habitats to determi
ne differences in forest species composition. winter habitat utilizati
on. and habitat disturbance by Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura fumiferan
a) and non-clearcut logging. At a local scale (< 100 km2). Moose selec
t closed-canopy habitats in winter. Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) provide
d important winter habitat for Moose in the Algonquin transition-zone
ecotone: Hemlock was disproportionately chosen in both high and low de
nsity aerial survey plots, and occurred in greater amounts in high den
sity plots than those in low density plots (P < 0.05). At larger. regi
onal scales (> 1000 km2). Moose are selecting areas of canopy disturba
nce. Plots impacted by logging by more than 33% of their area supporte
d more Moose than plots with less than one-third of their area logged
(P < 0.05). Similarily. Spruce Budworm defoliation created more browse
and consequently contained more Moose in severely affected areas, but
plots in moderately defoliated areas require additional logging activ
ity to produce comparable amounts of browse and Moose use. A methodolo
gy of combined pellet survey and aerial survey data appears to identif
y habitat requirements at different landscape scales.