How would you manage the forest?

Saving the moose may be an appealing goal, but scientists say it’s impossible to manage a forest for the benefit of one species. Here is a simple model that shows how animals are connected to each other and the place they live.

Beavers

Beavers alter the landscape with dams that create wetlands and ponds.

Beavers

A larger beaver population would increase the number of wetlands and ponds created by their dams. That's good for moose, which would have more refuges from heat and wolves. But wolves could benefit too because they'd have more beaver and moose to eat.

Beavers

Fewer beavers could mean fewer moose and wolves. Moose could have fewer watery refuges and wolves may have less to eat.

Deer

Deer are not native to northern forests, but have moved north along with human development.

Deer

More deer could reduce moose populations because they carry parasites such as brainworm and liver fluke, which can be fatal to moose. Wolves could benefit because deer are their favorite prey. At very high numbers, deer can alter the forest because they eat young trees.

Deer

If deer numbers drop, moose could benefit because they would be less affected by deer parasites. Wolf numbers might decline because they have less to eat.

Wolves

Wolves are a predator at the top of the food chain in the northern forest.

Wolf

A larger population of wolves could result in smaller populations of all prey, including deer, beaver and moose.

Wolf

Fewer wolves would be good for moose — a prey animal — but also for deer and beavers.

Logging and fire

Fire was nature's way to regenerate forests, but today logging fills much of that role.

Logging and fire

More logging or fire could help moose and deer because they like to eat the young trees that grow in cleared spaces. Fire may also kill parasites that harm moose.

Logging and fire

Less logging or fire results in an older forest, depriving moose and deer of some of their preferred foods. Fewer fires allow more parasites to survive.

Climate

Rising temperatures can change the forest itself, shifting the plant and animal species that thrive.

Climate

Climate change threatens moose because they are extremely sensitive to heat and because many parasites thrive in warmer climates. Deer numbers may increase because they can handle warmer weather, providing more food for wolves. The forest itself may change, gaining tree species more tolerant of higher temperatures.

Climate

Moose could benefit if the climate actually cooled again because they evolved in northern boreal forests around the world and thrive in lower temperatures, while deer are better suited to warmer weather and the types of trees and plants more common in southern latitudes.