WINTER DISTRIBUTION OF MOOSE AT LANDSCAPE SCALE IN NORTHEASTERN VERMONT: A GIS ANALYSIS

A GIS analysis of landscape scale distribution of moose (Alces alces) in northern Vermont during winter 2010 showed that most moose were located at elevations of 300–600 m, with little discernible elevational gradient. Slope and aspect were not correlated with locations as moose were distributed in the study area with the relative amount in each descriptive class. The distribution of >85% moose based on NOAA cover types was in deciduous, mixedwood, and coniferous stands relative to their availability; locations in scrub/shrub and wetlands were higher and lower than expected, respectively. Higher resolution AIMS imagery indicated that moose used mixedwoods more and coniferous stands less than available. The most significant landscape characteristic influencing the location of moose was proximity to forest openings/timber cuts that presumably provide important seasonal browse