The condition of Scots pine stands in Lahemaa National Park, Estonia 25 years after browsing by moose (Alces alces)

The effects after 25 years of moose browsing on Scots pine stands in Lahemaa National Park were evaluated, emphasizing economic damage. A re-evaluation in 2001 examined stands that had been evaluated in 1975–1976. Moose damage significantly affected the tree species composition which changed over time as pine dominance increased and the number of mixed stands declined. The smaller proportion of severely damaged pine trees in more pine-dominated stands and on poor sites in the first evaluation in 1975–1976 may indicate that moose preferentially browsed the available broadleaved tree species. In 2001 there was a lower proportion of severely damaged trees overall and stands with higher density had smaller percentages of moderately and severely damaged trees. Stands on poor sites had more damaged pines than in 1975–1976, but also a greater proportion of undamaged and lightly damaged trees.