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  • Cassidy Mazur posted an article
    How Moose are Impacted by Humans in the Lake of the Woods Area. see more

    Moose are a very charismatic boreal inhabitant that can be particularly impacted by human disturbances. Populations have suffered in Provinces and States around Lake of the Woods for decades, and recovery is slow.

    Human development of land has lead to loss of habitat and fragmented habitat. Linear features like roads, railway, and snow pack from snowmobiles lead to increased access by wolves, poachers, and hunters. Climate change influences many aspects of moose health, but most relevant perhaps is it pushes diseases and pests further north as temperatures warm. It has also resulted in lakes not fully freezing over and moose being found dead in the spring.

    Moose rely on disturbed habitat that has been recently burned or harvested because it promotes the growth of highly nutritional young trees and shrubs, which. Historically moose sought out areas swept by wildfires, but as we increase fire suppression, moose rely more on forestry harvest for disturbances that promote new, young growth.

    To learn more about moose check out your areas moose management plan! Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota all do annual population surveys and follow population management plans.

     

     

     December 07, 2021