Effects of moose browse on nutrient cycling in

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 Nova 3 sites in Clarenville 2 sites on Avalon Each site includes paired control and exclosure plots. 2 m 2 m X 4

We sampled 10 paired moose exclosures and controls in East and Central Newfoundland 2) Litter fall traps to collect litter and to be measured for C: N ratio 3) Soil samples collected and to be measured for C: N 4)Decomposition ratio bags left at site to be measured for rate of decomposition over 4 months 1)Plants identified in 4 m 2 plot Stay tuned for results!

Designing tools and methods for comprehensive landuse planning in Canada’s boreal region F. Schmiegelow K. Lisgo P. Vernier S. Cumming S. Leroux M. Krawchuk

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

Wiersma lab Established 2006 Landscape Ecology ywiersma@mun. ca

Recent projects • Landscape Scale effects of hyperabundant moose Stacey Camus, MSc • Predictive model and diet analysis of coyote Tony Mc. Cue, 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

Evaluate what impact moose are having on regeneration trajectories of balsam fir forests? Emilie Kissler, Ph. D student CONES GERMINANTS SEEDLINGS SAPLINGS ADULT TREES REPRODUCTI VE STANDS

Research Study Zones Avalon/MMA 33 East/MMA 29 Terra Nova NP Gros Morne NP Northern Peninsula/MMA 45 L L Exclosure Establishment 1995 & 2011 1997/98 1995 & 2010 2011 Moose Densities H - High M - Medium L - Low H M ch Study Zones H

BROWSE IN RELATION TO PLANT CHEMISTRY? 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!

“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

Thank you! Questions ?