Impacts of moose (Alces alces) at different simulated densities on eco-morphological groups of soil mesofauna

We experimentally tested the impact of browsing, defecation and urination corresponding to four different levels of moose population density on abundance and number of eco-morphological groups of soil mesofauna in a Swedish boreal forest. The study was carried out in three fenced exclosures representing different levels of productivity (from nutrient-rich to nutrient-poor). Moose impact on soil communities was evaluated by analysing abundance, richness and diversity of mesofaunal groups, and bymeans of amulti-taxa index based on ecomorphological groups, the Biological Soil Quality index (QBS). There was a negative impact of high moose densities on the abundance and richness of soil mesofauna. Furthermore, low-moderatemoose densities had a positive impact on abundance and number of eco-morphological groups.We conclude that moose can have a large impact on soil-livingmesofauna, and therefore probably soil decomposition processes and biological soil quality, in young boreal forest stands.