Moose activity and nitrogen cycling along an elevation gradient on the snow removal plots at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest.

The response of moose activity and three tree species to soil freezing were measured through experimental manipulation (shoveling) of snow to induce soil freezing. In addition, mechanical clipping of plants to simulate moose browsing and the addition of 15N labeled moose feces were included to determine the biogeochemical and plant response. N dynamics were evaluated using soil tension lysimeters, soil sampling, tracing movement of moose fecal N into soil, plant and microbial pools and leaching loss. Both total N and 15N were measured in all pools and fluxes. Fluxes include N mineralization and nitrification rates. Rate of decomposition and fate was also followed for moose feces. This data set includes measurents from 2003 to 2006. These data were gathered as part of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (HBES). The HBES is a collaborative effort at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, which is operated and maintained by the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station.