White Spruce Seedling Demography and Browsing by Snowshoe Hares Inside and Outside the Moose-spruce Exclosures located along the Tanana River

This study started in September 2002 focused on the indirect effect of moose browsing on white spruce regeneration on the Tanana River floodplain. Twelve exclosures (7m X 10m, 2m high), with adjacent control plots of the same size, were constructed using chain-link fence panels. Exclosures were located along the Tanana River between FP 1A and FP 1C and instrumented with Hobo Microstations for monitoring of soil and air temperature, relative humidity, and PAR. Browsing effects on deciduous vegetation (biomass removal and canopy height) and soil properties were analyzed in relation to the performance (germination, growth and biochemistry) of planted white spruce seeds and seedlings (n=98/exclosure). Additionally, direct browsing by snowshoe hares on spruce seedlings (growth and survival) was evaluated in relation to canopy cover and terrace age. The study is ongoing. White spruce seedling height, basal diameter, browsing history, and survival were measured inside and outside the ten remaining paired exclosure and control plots located along the Tanana River floodplain in the summer of 2014.