Effects of hyperabundant moose (Alces alces) on stream ecosystem functioning and structure in Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia

MacSween, Jessica (2018) Effects of hyperabundant moose (Alces alces) on stream ecosystem functioning and structure in Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Terrestrial consumers can influence forest regeneration, but few studies have investigated the impacts of terrestrial consumers on freshwater ecosystems. I investigated the potential for cross-ecosystem effects of hyperabundant moose on stream ecosystems in the Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia. I predicted that watersheds with higher moose impacts would have higher stream temperatures, total nitrogen, electrical conductivity, periphyton biomass, and macroinvertebrate abundances. I analyzed existing long-term data on 3rd and 4th order streams and conducted a field study on 1st and 2nd order streams to test for crossecosystem impacts of moose in the Cape Breton Highlands. I found evidence for moose impacts on total nitrogen and electrical conductivity. However, I found no evidence for higher stream temperatures and periphyton biomass, with limited evidence of moose impacts on macroinvertebrate abundances. This study provides insight into the effects of large ungulates within and across boreal forest ecosystems with potential implications for landscape-scale management of hyperabundant ungulates.

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