Monoterpenes in Scots pine in relation to browsing preference by moose (Alces alces L.).

Abstract

Monoterpene hydrocarbon contents of needles in Scots pine ( L.) plants both damaged and untouched by the moose ( L.) were compared in the study. The material was collected in an 8-year-old plantation in Central Finland. Needle samples were taken from the topmost shoot whorl of the plants in the middle of April, 1976. Only minor differences were found between the plant groups. Thus, terpenes in pine presumably play no important role in the browsing preference by moose.Pinus sylvestrisAlces alces