Response of Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana) to mechanical brushing: Implications to the quality of winter browse for moose (Alces alces).

Abstract

This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm m aster. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, som e thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer.The quality of th is reproduction is d e p en d en t upon th e quality of the copy subm itted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction.In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion.Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand com er and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps.Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy.Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. The author has granted a non exclusive licence allowing the National Library of Canada to reproduce, loan, distribute or sell copies of this thesis in microform, paper or electronic formats.The author retains ownershÿ of the copyright in this diesis. Neitho* the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive permettant à la Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou vendre des copies de cette thèse sous la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique.L'auteur conserve la propriété du droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés ou autrement reproduits sans son autorisation.

The impact of the timing of brush management on the nutritional value of woody browse for mooseAlcesalces

“…Mouth size prevents moose from cropping extremely large shoots. Because shoot quality decreases from the tip to the base of the shoot (Danell & Bergström 1985; Rea 1999), constraints on bite size may reduce the intake of the less nutritious, basal, parts of the shoot. Therefore, for very large shoots, our analysis of the entire shoot may have underestimated the quality of browse actually consumed by moose if they only consume the distal portion of the shoot.…”

“…1977; Schwartz, Hubert & Franzmann 1988), the timing of brushing should be considered where ungulate management is an objective. In such areas, retaining unbrushed leave‐strips within stands and maintaining unbrushed stands across the landscape should be considered (Rea 1999). Such management strategies are important because brushing can alter plant architecture and aspects of shoot quality for at least 5 years (Rea 1999).…”

“…In such areas, retaining unbrushed leave‐strips within stands and maintaining unbrushed stands across the landscape should be considered (Rea 1999). Such management strategies are important because brushing can alter plant architecture and aspects of shoot quality for at least 5 years (Rea 1999). Browse plants produce shoots that are more nutritious, succulent and accessible to ungulates for up to 3 years after fire (Stein et al .…”

“…This site had abundant Scouler’s willow saplings (all 2·0–2·5 m) and it was close to an active ranching operation and recreational trailhead; the moderate human activity minimized site use and browsing by moose. Moose density in the surrounding area at the time of the study was approximately 0·5 animals km −2 (Rea 1999).…”

“…Although crude tannin content was not quantified for use in digestibility determinations, we did determine the relative differences in tannin content between samples from the different brushing treatments in order to help understand changes to one of the chemical characteristics known to influence winter browse selection by moose. We assessed tannin content using a radial diffusion protein precipitation assay that we modified from Hagerman (1987) (Rea 1999).…”