Winter Habitat Use by Moose, <em>Alces alces</em>, in Central Interior British Columbia

In central British Columbia, recent epidemics of Mountain Pine Beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae ) have resulted in the use of expansive clearcut areas to remove infested mature and old Lodgepole Pine ( Pinus contorta ) stands. This study aimed to determine if Moose ( Alces alces ) use late-successional Lodgepole Pine stands in mid- to late-winter. Moose activity and habitat use was determined during February-March track surveys in 2000 (60 km) and 2001 (55.7 km). In 2000 (69 tracks) and 2001 (313 tracks), Moose track distribution differed significantly (P < 0.05) from random. They were significantly more abundant than predicted in young stands (dominated by Picea spp.), or early seral stages; they were less abundant than predicted in mature and old Lodgepole Pine stands. It is unlikely that harvesting late-successional Lodgepole Pine stands would affect Moose winter habitat supply.