Burning and Browsing Effects on Willow Growth in Interior Alaska

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Abstract
Productivity and utilization of browsed and unbrowsed Scouler willow (Salix scouleriana) was measured in a 1971 burn and in an adjacent 70 yr old mature black spruce (Picea mariana) forest [Alaska, USA]. Production of available willow browse in the burn increased from 8 kg/ha in 1973 to 22.6 kg/ha in 1974. The greatest production came from branches which were browsed the previous winter. In the burn in 1974, an average browsed branch produced 4.0 g of new growth, whereas an unbrowsed branch produced 2.4 g. The available willow browse production in the control in 1974 was 9.9 kg/ha, with a browsed branch producing 2.8 g and an unbrowsed branch 0.8 g. Willow shrubs are able to compensate for loss of biomass due to overwinter browsing, [by moose (Alces alces) and other mammalian herbivores], by increased productivity of browse-damaged stems.

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