Trophic effect of moose (Alces alces, L.) on coniferous undergrowth in 5-20 year-old deciduous and coniferous young forests

The article shows some data on the trophic activity of the moose ( Alces alces, L.) as the largest dendrophage of the North-West of Russia. The aim of the work is to assess the influence of moose on coniferous undergrowth i.e. pine, fir and juniper as the most valuable species for forest management. The ‘moose-and-forest’ problem remains urgent for 50 years. The studies were conducted on the territories of clear fellings with 5-25 year-old natural deciduous and coniferous undergrowth. The fellings varied in area and composition of coniferous species. The undergrowth and young forest species have been counted and various types of mechanical damage caused by the moose have been recorded such as tip breaking, bark browsing. annual lateral shoots biting and tree trunks breaking. Considering the forage capacity of the land the optimal number of moose is given. A forecast based on the repeated observations has been made on the survival of the damaged specimens of pines and junipers...