Molvar et al. examined the effects of moose (Alces alces) herbivory on diamond-leaf willow (Salix planifolia pulchra), with regard to forage quality and rates of nitrogen mineralization. Willow location (full-sun or shaded) had a greater effect on forage quality and soil decomposition rate than the browsing pressure. Digestibility depression, the difference between predicted digestibility and observed digestibility, was significantly more severe on the heavily browsed plants when compared to the low- and moderately-browsed willows. It is unclear whether moose herbivory caused one site to be better than the other, but their grazing pressure has had a positive effect on current annual growth through fertilization and browsing.
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Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.