Winter Moose Browse

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Interactions between moose and humans are inevitable in Alaska, and that overlap of habitats brings both risks and rewards. On one hand, moose provide valuable cultural, financial, and subsistence benefits for Alaskans. On the other hand, moose can threaten human safety and resources, especially on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where military operations require uninterrupted training grounds. To assess the quality and location of moose habitat, AERC researchers inventoried approximately 80 locations and found all areas support the maximum number of moose. The data will help revise JBER’s 10-year plan for moose browse enhancement, which may strategically manage certain tracts to make them more suitable and appealing for moose in winter.