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ALCES SUPPL. 2, 2002 ZAITSEV – STRUCTURE OF MOOSE POPULATIONS

137

STRUCTURE OF MOOSE (ALCES ALCES) POPULATIONS IN RUSSIA
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COMMUNICATION DISTANCES

Vitaliy A. Zaitsev

Institute of Evolutionary Animal Morphology and Ecology, Russian Academy of Science, 117071,

Moscow, Russia

ABSTRACT: The structure of moose populations was studied in the southern subzone of taiga and

mixed forests.  Moose were distributed irregularly in small groups.  Some migrations were recorded.

The distance between moose in compact groups (5–9.3 m) and the distance between groups were

compared to orientation vectors a–k, representing one of the parameters of the inner activity
rhythms.  The distances and the vectors correspond to the definition of the critical levels of the

development of natural systems.  The spatial pattern of moose distribution was revealed and a

canonic distribution model developed.

ALCES SUPPLEMENT 2: 137-141 (2002)

Key words: activity rhythms, behavior, distances between moose, ecology, hierarchical struc-

tures, natural systems, population structure, social groupings

T h e  s p a t i a l  s t r u c t u r e s  o f  m o o s e

populations are diverse and their most im-

portant properties should be determined.

This study examines spatial structures of a

moose population and shows regular utiliza-

tion of habitats by dispersing moose. A

model is suggested that may be used to

search moose habitats, estimate moose

population size, and predict the distribution

of moose without a complete census.

STUDY AREA

The behavior and ecology of moose

(Alces alces alces) was studied in the
Yaroslavl, Kostroma, and Moscow regions

of Russia.  Vegetation is at the southern

limits of taiga and boreal mixed forests,

including birch forests, aspen forests, wil-

low thickets, and also spruce and mixed

forests.  Moose density ranged from 0.3 to

2.2 moose per km2 in the Yaroslavl and

Kostroma Regions (300 km2).  Moose den-

sity in the Kostroma Region was 0.2–0.9

moose per km2.  In Sikhote–Alin forests,

moose (Alces alces cameloides Milne–
Edwards 1867) density was only 0.01–0.2

moose per km2.  Localized high density

concentrations were near salt licks.

METHODS

Moose were observed throughout the

year and monitored day and night.  A night

vision device was used when it was dark.

We recorded the distribution of tracks, bed-

ding sites, locations of mating areas, camps,

and fecal pellet groups.

RESULTS

At Yaroslavl, moose tracks are found

throughout the entire area, but moose con-

centrate at certain sites in the forest. A

total of 5 main groups occupy an area of 2–

10 km2 in the 300 km2 forest (Naumov

1967).  Each group consisted of 1 8–year–

old male, 2 1–4–year–old males, 3 females,

and 2 calves.  All members of groups were

observed in close proximity day and night in

winter.  Yearlings and 2–3–year–old moose

migrate from one forest to another in spring

and summer.  Cows concentrated at the

sites of future calving in spring.  Approxi-

mately 67–85% of shrub layer stems showed









ALCES SUPPL. 2, 2002 ZAITSEV – STRUCTURE OF MOOSE POPULATIONS

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in which the activity rhythm is manifested.

Asymmetry features of the distribution

of moose over the brief period of time in the

course of movement result in symmetrical

structures in the distribution of tracks, and,

on the whole, to a fairly regular utilization of

the habitats.  It is possible to use the model

to search moose habitats, estimate moose

population size, and predict the distribution

of moose without a complete census.

REFERENCES

FILONOV, K. P.  1983.  Moose.  Lesnaya

Promyshlennost, Moscow, Russia.  (In

Russian).

HEPTNER, W. G., and A. A. NASIMOVITCH.

1967.  Der Elch.  Ziesmen Verlag,

Wittenberg–Lutherstadt, Germany.  (In

German).

KNORRE, E. P.  1959.  Ecology of moose.

Proceedings of the Pechoro-Ilych State

Reserve 7:5–22.  (In Russian).

NAUMOV, N. P.  1967.  Population structure

and population dynamics of terrestrial

vertebrates.  Zoologichesky Zhurnal

46:1470–1486.  (In Russian).

YAZAN, Y. P.  1961.  Biological features and

u t i l i z a t i o n  o f  m i g r a t i n g  m o o s e

populations in the Pechora taiga.  Pro-

ceedings of Pechora–Ilychskii State

Reserve 9:114–201.  (In Russian).

ZAITSEV, V. A. 1991.  Kabarga Sikhote–

Alin.  Ecology and behavior.  Nauka,

Moscow, Russia.  (In Russian).

ZHIRMUNSKY, A. V., and V. N. KUZMIN.

1990.  Critical levels in the development

of systems.  Nauka, Leningrad, Russia.

(In Russian).