effects of moose browse on nutrient cycling in newfoundland, canada msc project: nichola ellis
TRANSCRIPT
Effects of moose browse on nutrient cycling in Newfoundland, Canada
MSc project: Nichola Ellis
• Moose effects can cascade to influence populations of birds, arthropods, and mammals
Research Goal: to examine the impact of moose on plant composition, litter fall quantity and quality (C:N ratio), soil quality (C:N ratio), and decomposition rates.
5 sites in Terra Nova3 sites in Clarenville2 sites on Avalon
Each site includes paired control and exclosure plots.
2 m
2 m
X 4
2) Litter fall traps to collect litter and to be measured for C: N ratio
1)Plants identified in 4m2 plot
3) Soil samples collected and to be measured for C:N ratio
4)Decomposition bags left at site to be measured for rate of decomposition over 4 months
We sampled 10 paired moose exclosures and controls in East and Central Newfoundland
Stay tuned for results!
F. SchmiegelowK. LisgoP. Vernier
S. Cumming
S. Leroux
M. Krawchuk
Designing tools and methods for comprehensive land-use planning in Canada’s
boreal region
Applications across the boreal
Governments (ON, NT, QC, Alaska) industry (FPAC) and NGOs (CBFA) are applying our conservation matrix model and identifying ecological benchmarks
FOR INFO ON METHODS AND TOOLS…
www.beaconsproject.ca
Recent projects
• Landscape Scale effects of hyperabundant moose
Stacey Camus, MSc• Predictive model and diet analysis of coyote
Tony McCue, MSc• Island-wide predictive model of boreal felt lichen
Randy Skinner, MSc(Env)• Effects of ATV trails on small mammals and vegetation
Nyssa van Vierssen Trip, MSc and Karla Letto, MSc
• Relationship between protected areas and forest management
Wiersma, SFMN State of Knowledge project
Megan Lafferty, MES
SEEDLINGS SAPLINGS ADULT TREES
CONES GERMINANTS REPRODUCTIVE STANDS
Evaluate what impact moose are having on regeneration trajectories of balsam fir forests?
Emilie Kissler, PhD student
H
L
M
L
H
Newfoundland at 1:250,000 with Research Study Zones
Research Study ZonesAvalon/MMA 33East/MMA 29Terra Nova NPGros Morne NPNorthern
Peninsula/MMA 45
Exclosure Establishment1995 & 20111997/981997/981995 & 20102011
Moose DensitiesH - High M - MediumL - Low
Complete chemical analyses to evaluate why balsam fir are so heavily browsed here in Newfoundland
• Lack of shared co-evolution?• No previous history of large mammalian herbivore?
BROWSE IN RELATION TO PLANT CHEMISTRY?
For more information go on the field trip tomorrow!
Browse in relation to plant chemistry?
“MICRO” LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY
Andrew Roberts, MES student
FOREST RESEARCH IN BIOLOGY…
Acknowledgments (ALL LABS) Logistic Support:
Forestry Districts 1, 2, 15, 16, 17, and 18 (Dept. of Natural Resources)
Terra Nova and Gros Morne National Parks (Parks Canada)
Wildlife Division (Dept. of Environment & Conservation)
Funding:
• Wildlife Division
• Centre for Forest Science and Innovation
• NSERC
• CFI
• RDC
• IBES
• SFMN
• Memorial University
Questions?Thank you!