LATEST NEWS

Moose Radio-Telemetry Progress Report - Feb 2009 Click Here

Moose Exclosure Report Winter 2009 Click Here

Moose Exclosure Protocol Proposal Click Here

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RESEARCH AREAS

Moose Exclosures
l Moose radio-telemetry

The increase in the Massachusetts moose population in recent decades has lead to interest and concern about the interaction between forestry and moose.  Moose can have landscape level effects on vegetation and it is unclear what their impact will be on forest dynamics (i.e., composition, structure, and regeneration) and timber assets in Massachusetts.  One of the main points of interests for sustainable forestry in the Commonwealth regarding moose is the potential for excessive browsing.  Browsing by moose on young tree species may include twig browsing, stem breakage, and leaf and bark stripping.  The damage, depending on severity, may reduce growth or lower stem and timber quality.  In addition, preferential browsing by moose may alter species composition of forest stands over time.  Dense and expansive stands of woody vegetation, such as regenerating cutovers, with high amounts of usable forage tend to attract concentrations of moose.  High or repeated moose browsing can significantly impact productivity and species composition of woody browse.  Along with forest conservation, managing wildlife has become a critical component in the state’s ability to conserve and preserve its unique flora and fauna.  Moose are a species of particular interest because of their abilities to affect forest stand regeneration and composition, and their presence is indicative of successful forest regeneration and management.

RESEARCH NEEDS
There is a need to understand the ecology of moose as they recolonize southern New England.  This need can be categorized into four major areas of interest: (1) ecological, including population dynamics and habitat relationships, (2) forest management and sustainability, (3) human interactions and dynamics and, (4) challenges to managing a large animal in a region with high human population densities and extensive development.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Our primary objectives are to (1) quantify the composition, structure, and regeneration success of woody browse in harvested plots that are (a) protected from all browsing by moose and deer, (b) protected from moose browsing but subjected to deer browsing, and (c) subjected to all browsing from moose and deer; (2) document the amount of browsing on twigs and buds and estimate bud “survival” in all plot types, and (3) improve our understanding of moose browsing and its importance for the management of forest stands.