Forestry Practices in Québec and Ontario in Relation to Moose Population Dynamics

Abundant forage, particularly twigs of deciduous species, represents the key element of K carrying capacity for moose. Forest fires previously created such quality habitat, while timber harvest should now play a comparable role. Management units for moose habitat should cover 40-50 km 2 . Hunting and predation represent the regulating factors of most moose populations in Québec and Ontario, so that habitat is only lightly used. This situation poses difficulties in evaluating the role played by forestry practices on population dynamics; however the logging of a new area, which creates accessibility and removes much cover, greatly exposes moose to hunting until regrowth again provides a visual screen. Moreover, the increasing use of herbicide in forestry, to eliminate deciduous species, represents a potential threat for moose habitat.