Impacts of Forest Quality on Declining Minnesota Moose

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$300,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
U of MN
Recipient Type
Public College/University
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2014
End Date
June 2017
Counties Affected
Cook
Lake
St. Louis
Cook
Lake
St. Louis
Project Overview

Moose, one of Minnesota's prized wildlife species, are dying at much higher rates in Minnesota than elsewhere in North America. Recently observed increases in mortality rates amongst some moose in northeastern Minnesota have led to concern that the population there may be entering a decline like that seen in the northwestern part of the state, where moose populations fell from over 4,000 to fewer than 100 in less than 20 years. Additionally the specific causes of increased mortality amongst individual moose remain under investigation. Scientists at the University of Minnesota are using this appropriation to examine the role of habitat quality and landscape change and how it impacts moose diet, body condition, and mortality risk, specifically the role of forest age, structure, and composition in distribution of food and cover. Knowledge gained will be used by federal, state, and local natural resource agencies to identify appropriate management and habitat needs and actions that can be taken to help slow or prevent continued population declines in northeastern Minnesota of this iconic, keystone species.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2014, Chp. 226, Sec. 2, Subd. 05l
Appropriation Language

$300,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources to link regional patterns of moose abundance through time to the distribution of food and cover and determine if this distribution affects the diet and survival of individual moose. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$300,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$300,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
4
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Project Manager
First Name
James
Last Name
Forester
Organization Name
U of MN
Street Address
2003 Upper Buford Cir, 135 Skok Hall
City
St. Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55108
Phone
(612) 626-6721
Email
jdforest@umn.edu
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