USE OF RESIDUAL STRIPS OF TIMBER BY MOOSE WITHIN CUTOVERS IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

Abstract

Winter aerial track surveys and spring browse surveys in 1987 and 1988 showed that moose (Alces alces) used areas near corridors of residual timber within clearcuts during the winter. Aerial track survey data showed that moose significantly (P<0.01) preferred the area within 45 and 90 meters of cover. The area within 90 meters of the corridors was preferred (P<0.05) in 1 of 22 cases and used as available in the remaining 15 cases. Analysis of spring browse survey data showed no significant (P<0.01) difference between the number of stems available or browsed that was related to distance from the corridor. Significant (P<0.01) differences between the number of twigs available and browsed seem related to availability rather than increasing distance from the corridor. Snow surveys showed significantly (P<0.05) lower snow depths within the corridor than in the cutover. Corridors may be used as escape cover, thermal cover or as travelling areas but are not being used specifically for feeding areas.