METABOLIC RATIOS FOR ESTIMATING ENERGY METABOLISM IN MOOSE

Abstract

We have calculated metabolic ratios called multiple of base-line metabolism (MBLM) by dividing published data on energy costs of moose by a common denominator called base-line metabolism. Use of a common denominator makes all of these calculated ratios comparable on a mass-specific basis. We have used a tandem cosine algorithm to calculate the annual cycles of MBLM vales for calves, cows, and bulls. Metabolic lows of mature cows and bulls are reached in mid-March to mid-April, and highs are reached when both milk production and antler growth reach a peak in mid-June. Calves, yearlings, and barren cows, and immature bulls are expected to reach a peak in mid-July. Maximum MBLM values in early summer are about 3 times greater than the minimum values in late winter and early spring. The MBLM method can be used to estimate ecological energy metabolism throughout the annual cycle by interpolating between minimum and maximum values with the tandem cosine algorithm, and should be useful to modelers who want to incorporate energy costs as a continuous function throughout the year.