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Effect of Roadside Vegetation Cutting on Moose Browsing
Amy L Tanner1, Shawn J Leroux1
1Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.
Plos One
|August 6, 2015
Summary
Roadside vegetation cutting does not attract moose browsing. Uncut areas showed significantly higher moose browse, suggesting recently cut areas are less attractive foraging habitats for moose.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife Ecology
- Road Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Moose (Alces americanus) vehicle collisions (MVCs) pose a significant risk across moose distribution.
- While various mitigation strategies exist, empirical data on roadside vegetation cutting effectiveness is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if roadside vegetation cutting influences moose browsing behavior.
- To determine if cut vegetation regrowth attracts moose to roadside areas for foraging.
Main Methods:
- Paired treatment (cut vegetation) and control (uncut vegetation) sites were established.
- Moose browse levels were quantified by counting browsed plants in each site.
- Generalized linear mixed-effects models analyzed browse variation with environmental covariates.
Main Results:
- Contrary to the hypothesis, uncut control areas exhibited significantly higher moose browse proportions than cut treatment areas.
- Recently cut roadside areas (within 7 years) appear to be less attractive foraging habitats for moose.
- Treatment type, plot nesting, traffic region, and moose density explained most browse variation.
Conclusions:
- Roadside vegetation cutting may not attract moose and could potentially reduce browsing in recently cut areas.
- Current vegetation cutting practices in Newfoundland roadside areas may help reduce moose foraging attractiveness.
- Continued vegetation cutting is recommended to potentially decrease moose-vehicle collisions.
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