Comparison of moose browsing on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and lodgepole pine (P. contorta).
Abstract
Trees of two Scots pine phenotypes (poor and fertile soils) and lodgepole pine (intermediate) were exposed side by side in a field study. Biomass consumption by moose (Alces alces) was greatest on Scots pine from fertile soil, least on Scots pine from poor soil and intermediate (but nearer to poor-soil Scots pine) on lodgepole pine. Removal of bark was more extensive on lodgepole than on Scots pine. Available biomass accounted for 57% of observed variation in consumption.