Multiple landscape scales and winter distribution of Moose, Alces alces, in a forest ecotone

Multiple landscape scales and winter distribution of Moose, Alces alces, in a forest ecotone.Canadian Field-Naturalist 107(2):201-207.Winter distribution and abundance of Moose (Alces alces) was studied in relation to habitat use and habitat disturbance at local and regional landscape scales in Algonquin Provincial Park, central Ontario.Thirteen years of government aerial population survey data (1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988) were supplemented with spring pellet surveys of eight habitats to determine differences in forest species composition, winter habitat utilization, and habitat disturbance by Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura fumifer-| ana) and non-clearcut logging.At a local scale (< 100 km?), Moose select closed-canopy habitats in winter.Hemlock | (Tsuga canadensis) provided important winter habitat for Moose in the Algonquin transition-zone ecotone; Hemlock was disproportionately chosen in both high and low density aerial survey plots, and occurred in greater amounts in high density plots than those in low density plots (P < 0.05).At larger, regional scales (> 1000 km*), Moose are selecting areas of canopy disturbance.Plots impacted by logging by more than 33% of their area supported more Moose than plots with less | than one-third of their area logged (P < 0.05).Similarily, Spruce Budworm defoliation created more browse and conse-| quently contained more Moose in severely affected areas, but plots in moderately defoliated areas require additional logging activity to produce comparable amounts of browse and Moose use.A methodology of combined pellet survey and aerial survey data appears to identify habitat requirements at different landscape scales.