RESPONSE OF VEGETATION TO TREE CRUSHING IN ALASKA

The response after 4 growing seasons of important moose forage species and spruce to tree crushing on the Kenai National Moose Range, Alaska is described. At Willow Lake study area, browse densities were higher in 8 of 10 sample stands and subdominant browse species made up a larger proportion of the browse population than before crushing. At South Moose Research Center (SMRC) study area, an improvement in the browse population has been slower than at Willow Lake, but the 4-year densities are higher than the 2-year densities indicating that the area is beginning to respond favorably. They Mystery Creek study area seemed to be responding slowly, as did the SMRC area, and we are hesitant to make conclusions regarding that area. In all areas except part of the Mystery Creek area, spruce density was decreased by at least 70%. Density in 8 stands of short spruce (average height less than 1 m) in the Mystery Creek area was reduced only 53%