Moose, plant, and soil interactions on Isle Royale National Park

[The authors] investigated the relationship between moose browsing and soil nitrogen dynamics at the landscape level. Resin bag nitrogen, browse consumption, and seedling recruitment were measured at 100 plots along randomized transects across 2 valleys on Isle Royale, Michigan. N mineralization was uniform across landscape positions where consumption was greater than 10 g/m² and declined with increasing consumption. Where consumption was less than 10 g/m², N mineralization varied greatly and was dependent upon landscape position and presence of alder. Foraging decisions by moose impact soil productivity and ultimately forest composition through both positive and negative feedbacks of preferred and avoided plant litters.