Production and quality of forage available to moose in southwestern Quebec

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Abstract
Production of summer and of winter forage used by moose (Alcesalces Cl.) was estimated in six 530-km2 study blocks in southwestern Quebec. Annual production of summer forage (leaves of predominantly mountain maple (Acerspicatum Lam.) and beaked hazelnut (Coryluscornuta Marsh.)) averaged from 73 to 321 kg dry weight/ha, varying among 3 years and five forest types. Winter forage (twigs of deciduous species, predominantly the same two, plus needles and associated twigs of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.)) averaged ca. 0.2 the production of summer forage. Annual production in all species, plus levels of crude protein, cellulose, Ca, and P in mountain maple and hazel, were comparable to those reported for other North American moose ranges. Among the six blocks, no relationship was found between moose density and forage factors. It was concluded that in lightly hunted regions of southwestern Quebec, further growth of moose populations was not being limited by nutritional factors.

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