Influence of repeated fertilization on forest ecosystems: relative habitat use by mule deer and moose

摘要: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that large-scale precommercial thinning (PCT) and repeated fertilization of young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) stands would enhance rel- ative habitat use by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus Rafinesque) moose (Alces alces L.) in summer winter periods, compared mature old-growth stands. Replicate areas were located near Summerland, Kelowna, Williams Lake south central British Columbia, Canada. Each area had a range PCT densities, with without fertilization, Habitat measured pellet-group counts from 1999 2003, 6-10 years after onset treatments. During months, enhanced 1000 stems/ha fertilized experi- enced greater than unthinned or Winter similar In both winter, preferred unfertilized low-density high-density Intensive management forests has considerable poten- tial develop ranges for these ungulates. Resume : Cette etude visait tester l'hypothese que l'eclaircie precommerciale (EPC) grande echelle et la fertilisa- tion repetition de jeunes peuplements pin tordu latifolie peuvent faire augmenter l'utilisation relative l'habitat, en ete hiver, par le cerf mulet l'orignal L.), comparativement aux matures vieux peuplements. Les repetitions des aires d'etude etaient situees pres Kelowna dans centre sud Colombie-Britannique, au Chaque aire avait une gamme densites d'EPC avec sans fertilisation, ainsi L'utilisation l'habitat hiver mesuree comptage tas feces d'orignal soi t6a1 0 ansapres debut traitements. En ete, etait plus elevee les EPC fertilisees; ti- ges/ha fertilises ont utilises non eclaircis ou matures. semblable tiges/ha comme preferait ceux faible densite rapport forte densite. L'amenagement intensif forets offre un potentiel conside- rable pour developpement quartiers d'ete d'hiver ces ongules.