Is habitat management in northwestern Ontario meeting the physiological needs of moose in the fall and early winter?

Abstract

This thesis explores the question of whether the habitat management guidance provided by the Forest Management Planning Manual in Ontario is meeting the physiological needs of moose in the fall and early winter. Moose are found throughout Ontario and are managed for different densities in various areas. The focus of this thesis is on northwestern Ontario. Food, shelter and cover requirements of moose are summarized. How moose use habitats and balance energy are examined. Forest Management Units/Planning, the Cervid Ecological Framework and guidelines such as the Forest Management Guide for Boreal Landscapes and the Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales are reviewed in general and from this perspective. An approach to forest management planning that incorporates this information is described. The author concludes that the combination of the landscape framework provided by the Boreal Landscape Guide and the flexibility for influencing local conditions provided by the Stand and Site Guide make it possible for forest managers to design forest management plans that support goals associated with the physiological needs of moose.