Resource Catalog
Project
- Knut K. KiellandInstitute of Arctic Biology
- Eugénie S. EuskirchenInstitute of Arctic Biology
- Casey L. BrownUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
- Samantha K. AleshireUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
- Rachell R. PetersonUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
Wildfire is the most frequent ecological disturbance in the boreal forest and recent studies have documented an increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires in interior Alaska under a changing climate. Disturbance-generated landscape heterogeneity, such as fire, can directly influence wildlife distribution and habitat selection. Fire severity, in particular, can influence the seeding of favorable browse species affecting forage production. Although it is generally accepted that burns can benefit moose populations through regeneration of habitat, the extent of habitat use following burns is unknown. The main objective of this project is to evaluate the effects of a regenerating burn, paying particular attention to fire severity, on moose nutrition, habitat use, activity patterns, and hunter harvest rates. The results from this project will provide an opportunity for researchers to incorporate information into future management strategies that maximize the positive effect of natural wildfire for both moose nutrition and harvest.
Cataloging Information
- boreal forest
- fire severity
- habitat
- moose
- 14-3-01-44