Winter Food-Habits of Moose in Heihe

Winter diet composition,selectivity and percentage of utilization of moose (Alces alces) was studied with the microhistological analysis technique of feces in combination with field browse surveys from 1987-1988 in Heihe.Results showed that 31 species (genera) of plants were used in winter;Salix spp.,Corylus spp.,Betula spp.,Pinus koraiensis,Populus davidiana and Tilia amurensis were staples.The percentages of these items in diet were 19.9%,18.0%,16.7%,14.9%,7.3% and 6.7% respectively.Moose had positive selectivities for Populus davidiana,Salix spp.,Pinus koraiensis and Tilia amurensis,and negative selectivities for Corylus spp.,Betula spp.And Alnus sibirica.They were arranged in order of preference as follows:Populus davidiana>Salix spp.>Pinus koraiensis>Tilia amurensis>Corylus spp.>Betula spp.>Alnus sibirica.The percentage of utilization for Salix spp.was the highest (32.1%) and for Betula spp.Was the lowest (12.1%).