Interactions between Browsing Moose and Two Species of Birch in Sweden

摘要: In Sweden, moose (Alces alces) feed to a large extent on birches (Betula pendula and B. pubescens). This study examined responses ofjuvenile browsing the of browsed trees. Following browsing, produced larger shoots with more chlorophyll-rich leaves than did unbrowsed birches. Shoots trees had longer growing season contained less Ca, Mg, crude fat After some resting buds short developed into long shoots, response that was frequent in an open habitat shaded one. The thus showed substantial compensatory growth following by moose. Most potential were not transformed even though allocated each individual shoot. For this meant at moderate pressures (1) production shoot biomass maintained, (2) available forage increased because kept lower positions, (3) facilitated size, but (4) contents decreased. Of two similar birch species, preferred pubescens. supports hypothesis plants slow rates (B. pubescens) are browsers high pendula). Further, we found no support for occurrence induced defense juvenile trees; those been during previous winter palatable previously