DEMOGRAPHIC AND FEEDING RESPONSES OF A SNOWSHOE HARE POPULATION TO HABITAT ALTERATION.

(1) This study tested the hypothesis that mechanical alteration of habitat, near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, would reduce peak populations of snowshoe hares and their feeding, damage to coniferous seedlings. (2) In the altered habitat, population density and residency of hares were dramatically reduced, juvenile and subadult hares dominated the age class structure, and male hares were in consistently poor physical condition compared with those in the control habitat. (3) Despite favourable demographic responses, seedling mortality from hare browsing reached 80% in the altered habitat. (4) Complete scarification and/or application of herbicide would further reduce or eliminate vegetative food and cover and perhaps depress and maintain hare densities at levels below which damage. (<5%) to seedlings could be tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]