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Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Document
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Title:
Moose distribution, abundance, movements, productivity, and survival,
Study plan Section 10.5 : Initial study report -- Part A: Sections 1-6, 8-10
SuWa 223
Author(s) – Personal:
Author(s) – Corporate:
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
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Initial study report
AEA-identified series, if specified:
Series (ARLIS-assigned report number):
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project document number 223
Existing numbers on document:
Published by:
[Anchorage : Alaska Energy Authority, 2014]
Date published:
June 2014
Published for:
Alaska Energy Authority
Date or date range of report:
Volume and/or Part numbers:
Final or Draft status, as indicated:
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Pagination:
iii, 15 p.
Related work(s):
The following parts of Section 10.5 appear in separate files:
Part A ; Part B ; Part C.
Pages added/changed by ARLIS:
Notes:
All reports in the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Document series include an ARLIS-
produced cover page and an ARLIS-assigned number for uniformity and citability. All reports
are posted online at http://www.arlis.org/resources/susitna-watana/
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
(FERC No. 14241)
Moose Distribution, Abundance, Movements,
Productivity, and Survival
Study Plan Section 10.5
Initial Study Report
Part A: Sections 1-6, 8-10
Prepared for
Alaska Energy Authority
Prepared by
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Palmer, Alaska
June 2014
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL STUDY (10.5)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page i June 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1
2. Study Objectives................................................................................................................ 1
3. Study Area ......................................................................................................................... 2
4. Methods and Variances in 2013 ....................................................................................... 2
4.1. Moose Distribution, Movements, Productivity, and Survival ................................ 2
4.1.1. Variances ......................................................................................... 3
4.2. Population Monitoring ............................................................................................ 3
4.2.1. Variances ......................................................................................... 4
4.3. Moose Browse Survey and Habitat Assessment ..................................................... 4
4.3.1. Variances ......................................................................................... 5
5. Results ................................................................................................................................ 5
5.1. Moose Distribution, Movements, Productivity, and Survival ................................ 5
5.2. Population Monitoring ............................................................................................ 5
5.3. Moose Browse Survey and Habitat Assessment ..................................................... 6
6. Discussion........................................................................................................................... 6
7. Completing the Study ....................................................................................................... 7
8. Literature Cited ................................................................................................................ 8
9. Tables ................................................................................................................................. 9
10. Figures .............................................................................................................................. 10
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FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page ii June 2014
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.3-1. Sample Cell Allocation for the Moose Browse Survey in 2013. ............................... 9
Table 5.1-1. Moose Captures and Radio-collar Deployment, 2012–2013. .................................... 9
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3-1. Moose Study Area, 2012–2014. ................................................................................. 11
Figure 5.1-1. Seasonal Summaries of Radio-collared Moose Locations, 2012–2013. ................. 12
Figure 5.1-2. Locations of Moose Observed in the Reservoir Inundation Zone Survey
Area, March 2012 and 2013. ................................................................................................. 13
Figure 5.1-3. GSPE Survey Area, November 2013. ..................................................................... 14
Figure 5.1-4. Browse-Survey Sample Plots, March–April 2013. ................................................. 15
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL STUDY (10.5)
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FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page iii June 2014
LIST OF ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS
Abbreviation Definition
AEA Alaska Energy Authority
CA count area
CAG current annual growth
CIRWG Cook Inlet Region Working Group
DFG Department of Fish and Game
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GMU Game Management Unit
GPS global positioning system
GSPE GeoSpatial Population Estimator
ILP Integrated Licensing Process
ISR Initial Study Report
LZ landing zone
Project Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
RSP Revised Study Plan
SCF Sightability Correction Factor
SPD study plan determination
USR Updated Study Report
VHF Very High Frequency
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
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FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 1 June 2014
1. INTRODUCTION
On December 14, 2012, Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) filed with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) its Revised Study Plan (RSP) for the Susitna-
Watana Hydroelectric Project No. 14241 (Project), which included 58 individual study plans
(AEA 2012). Included within the RSP was the Moose Distribution, Abundance, Movements,
Productivity, and Survival Study, Section 10.5. RSP Section 10.5 focuses on characterizing
moose distribution, movements, population size, productivity, and habitat use in the study area
through geospatial analysis. RSP Section 10.5 described the goal, objectives, and proposed
methods for moose data collection and analysis.
On February 1, 2013, FERC staff issued its study determination (February 1 SPD) for 44 of the
58 studies, approving 31 studies as filed and 13 with modifications. RSP Section 10.5 was one of
the 13 approved with modifications. In its February 1 SPD, FERC recommended the following:
While Alaska DFG recommends daily radio-tracking during peak moose calving as AEA
proposes, Alaska DFG recommends that the reference to peak calving as May 15–31 be
removed because the precise dates for moose calving may vary between populations and
years.
Alaska DFG’s recommended study modification would provide greater flexibility in the
event that the calving dates vary from the May 15–-31 timeframe, would not increase cost
or effort, and would ensure efficient use of resources. Alaska DFG’s recommended
methods are consistent with generally accepted practices in the scientific community
(section 5.9(b)(6)) and should be adequate to collect the information necessary to
address project effects (section 5.9(b)(5)). Therefore, we recommend that AEA modify the
study as recommended by Alaska DFG.
In accordance with the February 1 SPD, AEA has adopted the FERC requested modifications.
Following the first study season, FERC’s regulations for the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP)
require AEA to “prepare and file with the Commission an initial study report describing its
overall progress in implementing the study plan and schedule and the data collected, including an
explanation of any variance from the study plan and schedule” (18 CFR 5.15(c)(1)). This Initial
Study Report (ISR) on the Moose Distribution, Abundance, Movements, Productivity, and
Survival Study has been prepared in accordance with FERC’s ILP regulations and details AEA’s
status in implementing the study, as set forth in the FERC-approved RSP and as modified by
FERC’s February 1 SPD (collectively referred to herein as the “Study Plan”).
2. STUDY OBJECTIVES
The goal of the study is to obtain sufficient population information and use of the study area to
evaluate the potential effects of the Project on moose.
The study objectives are established in RSP Section 10.5.1:
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• Document the moose population and composition in the study area.
• Assess the relative importance of the habitat in the inundation zone, proposed
access/transmission corridors, and the riparian area below the Project.
• Document the productivity and calf survival of moose using the study area.
• Document the level of late winter use of adults and calves in the proposed inundation
area.
• Document moose browse utilization in and adjacent to the inundation zone and the
riparian area below the Project.
• Document the amount of potentially available habitat for improvement through crushing,
prescribed burning, or other habitat enhancement.
• Analyze and synthesize data from historical and current studies of moose as a
continuation of the 2012 big-game distribution and movements study (AEA 2012).
3. STUDY AREA
As established by RSP Section 10.5.3, the study area includes the majority of Game
Management Unit (GMU) 13E east of the Parks Highway and the Alaska Railroad and from the
Denali Highway south to upper Chunilna Creek (Figure 3-1). The study area also includes a
small portion of northwestern GMU 13A, from Kosina Creek east to the Oshetna River drainage.
The study area encompasses the proposed reservoir inundation zone, access and transmission
corridors, and associated Project infrastructure.
4. METHODS AND VARIANCES IN 2013
The study team implemented the methods described in the Study Plan with one variance in the
browse survey methods (RSP Section 10.5.4.3), as described in Section 4.3.1 below.
4.1. Moose Distribution, Movements, Productivity, and Survival
To delineate moose movements in the Project area and to evaluate productivity and survival, the
study team equipped cow and bull moose with Very High Frequency (VHF) and Argos-linked
satellite (global positioning system [GPS]) collars in October 2012 and March 2013. The study
team deployed 60 percent of collars on cows because they represent the reproductive portion of
the herd.
The study team conducted aerial radio-tracking (telemetry) surveys in fixed-wing aircraft
monthly to document the distribution of radio-collared moose in the study area. During the
spring calving and the fall season, the study team conducted aerial surveys weekly to document
more frequently the distribution of moose in the study area. Additionally, to accurately document
productivity and associated calf loss, the study team conducted twinning surveys daily during
calving. The study team used small fixed-wing airplanes (Piper PA-18 “Super Cub”) for these
radio-tracking flights. The study team documented location, date, reproduction, and survival
status for moose located during each flight.
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Moose locations are regularly obtained from deployed GPS collars via a satellite data link using
the Argos Data Collection System and locations are provided to the study team on a monthly
compact disc from Telonics. The study team accomplished data mapping and spatial analyses
using ArcGIS® software.
Data collection and analysis will be in progress during the next study season. The study team
used kernel density analysis (Seaman and Powell 1996) in ArcGIS software to visually represent
telemetry locations of radio-collared moose and satellite locations of GPS-collared moose from
October 2012 to September 2013.
4.1.1. Variances
No variances from the methods described in the Study Plan for delineating moose movements in
the Project area and evaluating productivity and survival (RSP Section 10.5.4.1) were necessary
in 2013.
4.2. Population Monitoring
The study team evaluated moose populations using three survey techniques. The study team used
conventional survey methods pertaining to optimal snow conditions, daylight, flight patterns, and
other factors (Ballard and Whitman 1988) for all surveys to maximize survey precision, maintain
consistency among surveys, and facilitate comparisons with existing datasets.
To assess winter use of the proposed reservoir inundation zone, the study team surveyed the area
in March 2012 and 2013 (Figure 3-1). Due to the seasonal absence of antlers, it was not possible
to distinguish bulls from cows during late-winter surveys, but the study team recorded numbers
of calves and adults. Population estimates will be corrected for sightability using data from
intensive surveys (Gasaway et al. 1986).
The study team conducted a GeoSpatial Population Estimator survey (GSPE; Ver Hoef 2002,
Kellie and DeLong 2006) in November 2013 to estimate moose populations above and below the
proposed dam site within the study area. The study team divided the survey area into 633 sample
units using the standard sample unit grid (Kellie and DeLong 2006) and stratified based on high
and low moose density. The low-stratum consisted of sample units expected to have few or no
moose. The study team accomplished a desktop stratification (Kellie and DeLong 2006) of the
area using land cover classifications by Ducks Unlimited (2000), locations from radio-collared
moose, and historic aerial trend-count survey data. One hundred sample units (60 high density
and 40 low density) were randomly chosen upstream and downstream of the proposed Watana
dam site for a total of 200 sample units. Pilot/observer teams in Piper PA-18 fixed-wing
airplanes flew selected sample units at a high search intensity (> 6.5 minutes per square mile)
and documented observed moose, based on sex and age class. An additional team of two
observers and a pilot in a Cessna 185 was responsible for coordinating the survey teams and
monitoring detection of radio-collared moose by each team. Immediately after a unit or group of
units was completed, the pilot/observer team or the coordination team radio-tracked collared
moose in the vicinity to determine if any collared moose were missed during the survey. Pilots
recorded a waypoint of all circled moose and GPS flight tracks were downloaded each night. The
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study team used this information to rectify discrepancies in whether teams observed collared
moose (i.e., circling in GPS flight path could be matched against locations of collared moose).
The study team conducted aerial trend-count surveys in previously established count areas
(CAs), including CA 7 and CA 14 (Figure 3-1) in November 2012 and November 2013, to obtain
current data for comparison with data from previous years.
4.2.1. Variances
No variances from the methods described in the Study Plan for population monitoring (RSP
Section 10.5.4.2) were necessary in 2013.
4.3. Moose Browse Survey and Habitat Assessment
The study team used techniques developed by Seaton (2002) and used subsequently by Paragi et
al. (2008) and Seaton et al. (2011) to estimate the proportion of browse biomass removed by
moose. The study team divided the study area into 640 sample units using the standard GSPE
sampling grid (Kellie and DeLong 2006). The study team stratified the sample units into either
the high-stratum (high moose density) or the low-stratum (low moose density). One hundred
sixty-seven high-stratum and 156 low-stratum cells were identified upstream of the proposed
Watana dam site; 168 high-stratum and 149 low-stratum cells were identified downstream of the
proposed Watana dam site. Of these, 48 high-stratum and 32 low-stratum cells both upstream
and downstream of the proposed Watana dam site were randomly chosen for potential sampling
(Table 4.3-1). The study team over-selected the number of potential cells to be sampled to
accommodate omission of attempted cells that did not meet the sampling criteria. Sampling was
conducted during March 28–April 5, 2013, after most of the winter browse activity had occurred
but before spring green-up. The study team conducted surveys using an R-44 helicopter and two
teams of biologists. The study team selected survey plots by beginning at the southeast corner of
a randomly chosen cell and flying a northwest trajectory until a safe landing zone (LZ) was
located. The study team then flew a random distance (30–100 meters) and bearing (0–359
degrees) from that LZ until a vegetative community with browse species was located. If the
study team observed browse species, the plot was marked and visited on foot. If no browse
species protruded from the snow within 100 meters of the first LZ, the vegetative community
was noted and another randomly selected cell was chosen. Likewise, if an LZ could not be
located (because of solid forest cover) or no vegetation was observed protruding from the snow
while flying the northwest trajectory (such as in high alpine habitats), the cell was not sampled
and another randomly selected cell was chosen. At each plot visited on foot, the study team
measured current annual growth (CAG) of important browse species such as willow (Salix spp.),
aspen and balsam poplar (Populus spp.), and Alaska birch (Betula neoalaskana) at each plot. The
study team only sampled browse species between 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) and 3 meters (9.8 feet) in
height. The study team randomly selected three plants per species in each 30-meter diameter plot
and measured 10 twigs on each plant. The study team recorded twig diameter at the base of the
CAG (or the point where twig was browsed, if older than last annulus) and the diameter at the
point of browsing for each twig (Paragi et al. 2008).
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FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 5 June 2014
4.3.1. Variances
The Study Plan (RSP Section 10.5.4.3) assumed that all portions of the study area would be
equally available for sample allocation, but Cook Inlet Regional Working Group (CIRWG) lands
were not available for sampling in 2013 due to the lack of a land-access agreement. Of the 96
randomly chosen high-stratum cells in the browse survey area, nine (9.4%) were located
predominantly on CIRWG lands and were unavailable for sampling in 2013 (Table 4.3-1).
Fourteen randomly chosen high-stratum cells were located partially on CIRWG lands, but had
LZs on accessible lands that were potentially available for sampling. Ultimately, the sampling
plan described above was flexible enough to accommodate the need to work around randomly
chosen cells dominated by CIRWG lands (see Figure 5.1-4), just as randomly chosen cells that
did not meet the sampling criteria (no LZ, no vegetation, or no browse species) were not
sampled. Thus, the study team was still able to accomplish the browse survey objective in 2013.
5. RESULTS
5.1. Moose Distribution, Movements, Productivity, and Survival
In October 2012, the study team deployed 40 GPS collars on 26 cows and 14 bulls in the study
area and deployed 10 VHF collars on seven cows and three bulls. The study team deployed
another 50 VHF radio-collars in March 2013 on 33 cows and 17 bulls. In addition, the study
team re-deployed five GPS and two VHF collars from mortality collar pickups on November 8–
9, 2013 (Table 5.1-1).
The study team obtained a total of 2,010 locations of 100 collared moose from October 2012
through September 2013. The study team located all VHF-collared moose regularly during
monthly telemetry flights. The study team conducted aerial surveys weekly during calving (May
10–June 21, 2013) and fall (August 15–September 30, 2013).
The study team conducted twinning surveys daily during May 15–June 4, 2013, to document
productivity and calf survival. Of the 60 radio-collared cows located, 31 had a single calf and 13
(30%) had twins. Of the 57 calves observed, 30 (53%) survived to July 1, 2013; 74 percent of the
calf losses observed occurred in the first week of life.
The study team divided telemetry locations from radio-collared moose and satellite locations
from GPS-collared moose from May 2012 through September 2013 into six seasons: spring
(April 1–May 9), calving (May 10–June 15), summer (June 16–August 31), fall (September 1–
October 31), post-rut aggregation (November 1–30), and winter (December 1–March 31). The
study team used kernel-density analysis (Seaman and Powell 1996) and ArcGIS software to
create 50 percent, 75 percent, and 95 percent utilization distribution contours for each season
from the combined telemetry and satellite data (Figure 5.1-1).
5.2. Population Monitoring
The study team conducted all moose surveys under suitable conditions, considering snow cover,
wind, daylight, and precipitation.
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The study team counted 427 moose during late-winter inundation surveys in both March 2012
and March 2013 (Figure 5.1-2). Of the 40 sample units surveyed, the study team randomly
selected 10 each year for intensive surveys (Gasaway et al. 1986). These randomly selected units
will be used to develop a sightability correction factor (SCF).
The study team sampled 205 sample units and counted 1,283 moose in over 100 survey hours
during the GSPE survey in November 2013. The study team conducted the survey using seven
pilot/observer teams. Of the 633 sample units in the study area, the study team assigned 319 to
the high-density stratum and 314 to the low-density stratum (Figure 5.1-3). The study team will
calculate an SCF for the population estimate using the proportion of collared moose seen by
pilot/observer teams.
The study team conducted traditional aerial trend-count surveys in CA 7 and CA 14 (Figure 3-1)
in November 2012 and November 2013. Results from those surveys will be compared with
results from previous years in the Updated Study Report (USR).
5.3. Moose Browse Survey and Habitat Assessment
Two field crews of two biologists sampled 21 high-stratum and 14 low-stratum randomly
selected cells both above and below the proposed Watana dam site, for a total of 70 cells
sampled in the study area. Thirty-one additional cells were evaluated for sampling but were not
sampled because they did not meet the sampling criteria. Two of these cells were not sampled
because safe LZs were not found, four had no vegetation, and 25 had no browse species. Nine
randomly selected cells were not attempted because they were located predominantly on CIRWG
lands that were not available because of the lack of a land-access agreement. Because the study
team had already met sampling objectives, 50 other randomly selected cells were not attempted
(Table 4.3-1, Figure 5.1-4). The study team currently is using data from these surveys to
calculate the proportional removal of biomass by moose in the study area.
6. DISCUSSION
Monitoring of the distribution, productivity and survival of moose in the study area is ongoing
via the 55 VHF-collared moose (36 cows, 19 bulls) and 37 GPS-collared moose (24 cows, 13
bulls) currently alive in the study area. Evaluation of the moose population and composition in
the study area is also ongoing; the surveys completed thus far include late-winter inundation
surveys in March 2012 and March 2013, a GSPE in November 2013, and aerial trend-count
surveys in November 2012 and November 2013. Estimation of moose browse utilization in the
study area is in progress via browse surveys in the study area, the first of which was conducted
March-April 2013.
The Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Mapping Study in the Upper and Middle Susitna Basin
study team (Study 11.5) will produce a fine-scale habitat map within a two mile buffer
surrounding the Project area and is approaching 25% completion. This map was not available for
use in the stratification of the survey areas for the 2013 browse survey and GSPE surveys as
intended. However, these study areas are much larger than the Study 11.5 study area, and the
stratification completed using Ducks Unlimited (2000) land cover classifications, locations from
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FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 7 June 2014
radio-collared moose, and historic aerial trend-count survey data was sufficient to meet study
objectives. Data from this study will be provided to the study team for the Evaluation of Wildlife
Habitat Use Study (Study 10.19) to use in their mapping of vegetation and wildlife habitats in the
Project area.
From October 1976 to January 1986, 115 adult moose and 61 five- to ten-month old calves were
collared upstream of the Devils Canyon dam site proposed for the prior Alaska Power Authority
Susitna project. Those collared animals were relocated 5,421 times over the course of the study,
for an average of 30 relocations per animal (Ballard and Whitman 1988). In addition, 39 moose
were collared in 1980 and 1981 downstream of the Devils Canyon dam site proposed for the
APA project and were relocated 1,072 times, for an average of 28 relocations per animal
(Modafferi 1987). From October 2012 to September 2013, the study team for the current Project
obtained 2,010 telemetry relocations from 100 collared adult moose, for an average of 20
relocations per animal. The study team will continue to collect locations of VHF-collared moose
through the duration of the study. In addition, the study team has collected 47,176 GPS
relocations from 40 GPS-collared moose via the Argos Data Collection System from October
2012 to October 2013 and will continue to collect regular relocations from these individuals until
the GPS collars drop off in November 2014. Results from these surveys will be compared with
results from previous years in the USR.
The study team implemented the methods outlined in RSP Section 10.5.4 with only one variance
in the browse survey methods. Nine of the randomly selected high-stratum browse survey cells
were predominately located on CIRWG lands and were therefore unavailable for sampling in
2013 due to the lack of a land-access agreement (Table 5.1-1). However, the initial over-
selection of potential survey cells and the flexibility of the established study method allowed the
study team to move to alternative cells when CIRWG lands were encountered, without
compromising the browse study objective. Additionally, nine of the 14 randomly chosen high-
stratum cells that were partially on CIRWG lands but had potential LZs on adjacent accessible
land were attempted during the survey. Four of these cells were successfully sampled, including
one plot that had an LZ below the ordinary high-water mark on the Susitna River (i.e., on state
land). Five of the 14 selected cells were attempted but were not sampled because no browse
species were available for measuring, so they did not meet the sampling criteria. Twelve other
high-stratum cells in the study with no CIRWG land were also attempted but were not sampled
due to a lack of browse species (Table 5.1-1). Therefore, the lack of access to CIRWG lands in
2013 did not interfere with the sampling of any of the 14 cells that were only partially covered by
CIRWG lands and the study team was able to meet the browse study objectives using established
methods.
The study team anticipates that the data collected in 2012 and 2013, combined with the data to be
collected in the next study season, will be adequate to meet the study objectives outlined in RSP
Section 10.5.1.
7. COMPLETING THE STUDY
[Section 7 appears in the Part C section of this ISR.]
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8. LITERATURE CITED
AEA (Alaska Energy Authority). 2012. Revised Study Plan: Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric
Project FERC Project No. 14241. December 2012. Prepared for the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission by the Alaska Energy Authority, Anchorage, Alaska.
http://www.susitna-watanahydro.org/study-plan.
Ballard, W. B., and J. S. Whitman. 1988. Susitna Hydroelectric Project, Final report, Big game
studies, Vol. II—Moose Upstream. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 150 pp.
Ducks Unlimited. 2000. Stony River Military Operations Area earth cover classification: User’s
guide. Unpublished report, Ducks Unlimited Inc., Rancho Cordova, California.
Kellie, K. A., and R. A. Delong. 2006. Geospatial survey operations manual. Alaska Department of
Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Fairbanks. 55 pp.
Gasaway, W. C., S. D. DuBois, D. J. Reed, and S. J. Harbo. 1986. Estimating moose population
parameters from aerial surveys. Biological Papers of the University of Alaska, No. 22,
Fairbanks. 108 pp.
Modafferi, R. D. 1987. Susitna Hydroelectric Project, Final report, Big game studies, Vol. I—Moose
Downstream. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 181 pp.
Paragi, T. F., C. T. Seaton, and K. A. Kellie. 2008. Identifying and evaluating techniques for wildlife
habitat management in Interior Alaska: moose range assessment. Final research technical
report, Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Grants W-33-4 through W-33-7, Project 5.10.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau. 76 pp.
Paragi, T., K. K. Seaton, and B. Taras. 2012. Unit 21E moose population estimate with
sightability correction. Unpublished internal Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Memo. Federal Aid Project 1.69.
Seaman, D. E., and R. A. Powell. 1996. An evaluation of the accuracy of kernel density estimators
for home range analysis. Ecology 77: 2075–2085.
Seaton, C. T. 2002. Winter foraging ecology of moose in the Tanana Flats and Alaska Range
foothills. M.S. thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 101 pp.
Seaton, C. T, T. F. Paragi, R. D. Boertje, K. Kielland, S. DuBois, and C. L. Fleener. 2011.
Browse biomass removal and nutritional condition of Alaska moose Alces alces. Wildlife
Biology 17: 55–66.
Ver Hoef, J. M. 2002. Sampling and geostatistics for spatial data. Ecoscience 9: 152–161.
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9. TABLES
Table 4.3-1. Sample Cell Allocation for the Moose Browse Survey in 2013.
Study Area Stratum
Total
Cells in
Study
Area
Cells
Randomly
Selected
Selected
Cells
Sampled
Selected Cells
Attempted that Did Not
Meet the Sampling Criteria:
Selected Cells Not
Attempted
No LZ1
No
Veg2
No Browse Sp.
Primarily on CIRWG Lands4
Total Not Attempted
Upstream High 167 48 21 0 0 9 4 18
Low 156 32 14 0 2 8 0 8
Downstream High 168 48 21 1 2 3 5 21
Low 149 32 14 1 0 5 0 12
Total 640 160 70 2 4 25 9 59
Notes:
1 No safe helicopter landing zone (LZ) was seen while flying the trajectory from the southeast corner to the
northwest corner.
2 No vegetation was seen while flying the trajectory from the southeast corner to the northwest corner.
3 No browse species were seen within 100 meters of the first LZ.
4 Randomly selected cells located primarily on CIRWG lands were not attempted due to the lack of a land-access
agreement in 2013.
Table 5.1-1. Moose Captures and Radio-collar Deployment, 2012–2013.
Collar Type Sex Initial Captures November 2013 TOTAL October 2012 March 2013 Total
VHF Bulls 3 17 20 1 21
Cows 7 33 40 1 41
GPS Bulls 14 0 14 3 17
Cows 26 0 26 2 28
TOTAL 50 50 100 7 107
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL STUDY (10.5)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 10 June 2014
10. FIGURES
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL STUDY (10.5)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 11 June 2014
Figure 3-1. Moose Study Area.
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL STUDY (10.5)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 12 June 2014
Figure 5.1-1. Seasonal Summaries of Radio-collared Moose Locations, 2012–2013.
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL STUDY (10.5)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 13 June 2014
Figure 5.1-2. Locations of Moose Observed in the Reservoir Inundation Zone Survey Area, March 2012 and 2013.
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL STUDY (10.5)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 14 June 2014
Figure 5.1-3. GSPE Aerial Survey Area, November 2013.
INITIAL STUDY REPORT MOOSE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, MOVEMENTS,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL STUDY (10.5)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Part A - Page 15 June 2014
Figure 5.1-4. Browse-Survey Sample Plots, March–April 2013.