Evaluation of a forage allocation model for Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Irby, Lynn R.; Norland, Jack E.; Westfall, Jerry A; Sullivan, Mark A.

doi:10.1006/jema.2001.0514

Cited by 5 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…On the basis of the species-specific forage rates partitioned across the available forage types, and a habitat classification of EINP, our analysis (972 animals) best matched the actual number of animals (959) recorded in EINP in 1996 when forage use was set to 7% ( Table 3). This result is insightful given safe-use factors (SUF) for forage removal by native ungulates is commonly set between 35-50% of annual growth [18,20,22].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…x 1 0.01 animals/ha x 3 0.03 animals/ha Forage supply was estimated using annual production of three forage classes (grass, forbs, shrubs) across four habitat types, and subsequently matched with the annual dietary preferences and forage intake levels of each ungulate species [20,48,49]. A forage "production by habitat" availability matrix summarized forage biomass within each of the four major habitat types of EINP ( Table 1).…”

Section: Materials and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Solutions are constrained first by plant removal rates and safe-use factors (SUF) where forage removal by native ungulates is commonly set between 35-50% of annual growth to allow for variation in forage availability [18][19][20]. The forage reserve (i.e., the proportion of the forage remaining) may be used to provide a buffer against stochastic environmental conditions and prevent degradation of vegetation during years with unfavorable growing conditions [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Others have used linear programming in range management [20,48,49] as well as for other wildlife and plant-related questions with varying degrees of success. For example, Hastings et al [50] used linear programming to determine the optimal age or stage class to control invasive plant species under the constraints of time and financial budget.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although Belovsky's formulation has been criticized as inappropriate for testing the optimal foraging theory [51,52], this is not an indictment of linear programming as a method that has been used successfully to examine forage allocation across a guild of ungulates. Irby et al [20] used linear programming to find solutions for the optimal allocation of available forage to multiple ungulates in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Estimating Economic Carrying Capacity for an Ungulate Guild in Western Canada

Kuzyk¹,

Cool²,

Bork³

et al. 2009

TOCONSBJ

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Elk Island National Park in western Canada provides an ideal case study for an economic carrying capacity estimate because it supports high density of four species of ungulates (11/km 2 ), lacks large predators, and is enclosed by a 2.1-meter mesh fence. This high density of ungulates has created persistent management challenges by altering vegetation structure and community composition. Using linear programming, we explored optimal allocation of forage resources for bison (Bison bison bison), moose (Alces andersoni), wapiti (Cervus elaphus manitobensis) and deer (Odocoileus virginianus and O. hemionus) to maximize ungulate biomass and numbers, when constrained by use of the major forage classes and minimum viable populations (MVP) of those ungulate species that do not cross the boundary fence (bison and wapiti). Maximum numbers of animals were achieved by a stocking combination dominated by deer and bison, whereas maximum biomass was attained when bison and moose were abundant but deer were absent. Wapiti remained at MVP during all solutions. Optimal solutions consistent with current ungulate densities were associated with 7 to 11% forage removal. This is less than normally assumed for sustainable forage use, and may reflect the need to account for other biotic and abiotic losses to forage in carrying capacity models for which ungulate densities can be constrained by availability of a preferred forage class (e.g., grass) as well as forage quality. This research extends the conventional animal-unit concept to multispecies systems and provides templates based on forage biomass allocation for resource managers facing similar problems of joint stocking in different environments.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Materials and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Estimating Economic Carrying Capacity for an Ungulate Guild in Western Canada

Kuzyk¹,

Cool²,

Bork³

et al. 2009

TOCONSBJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Evidence for geographic variation in the diets of late Pleistocene and early HoloceneBisonin North America, and differences from the diets of recentBison

2007

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During the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, Bison was widely dispersed across North America and occupied most regions not covered by ice sheets. A dietary study on Bison paleopopulations from Alaska, New Mexico, Florida, and Texas was performed using two methods that relate dental wear patterns to diet, mesowear analysis and microwear analysis. These data were compared to a mixed sample of extant Bison from the North American central plains, extant wood Bison from Alberta (Canada) and a variety of other modern ungulates. Mesowear relates macroscopic molar facet shape to levels of dietary abrasion. The mesowear signature observed on fossil Bison differs significantly from the hyper-abrasive grazing diet of extant Bison. Tooth microwear examines wear on the surface of enamel at a microscopic scale. The microwear signal of fossil samples resembles to modern Bison, but the fossil samples show a greater diversity of features, suggesting that fossil Bison populations regularly consumed food items that are texturally inconsistent with the short-grass diet typical of modern plains Bison. Mesowear and microwear signals of fossil Bison samples most closely resemble a variety of typical mixed feeding ungulates, all with diets that are substantially less abrasive than what is typical for modern plains Bison. Furthermore, statistical tests suggest significant differences between the microwear signatures of the fossil samples, thus revealing geographic variability in Pleistocene Bison diets. This study reveals that fossils are of value in developing an understanding of the dietary breadth and ecological versatility of species that, in recent times, are rare, endangered, and occupy only a small remnant of their former ranges.

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Reimmunization increases contraceptive effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) in free-ranging horses (Equus caballus): Limitations and side effects

et al. 2018

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Wildlife and humans are increasingly competing for resources worldwide, and a diverse, innovative, and effective set of management tools is needed. Controlling abundance of wildlife species that are simultaneously protected, abundant, competitive for resources, and in conflict with some stakeholders but beloved by others, is a daunting challenge. Free-ranging horses (Equus caballus) present such a conundrum and managers struggle for effective tools for regulating their abundance. Controlling reproduction of female horses presents a potential alternative. During 2009–2017, we determined the long-term effectiveness of GnRH vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) both as a single immunization and subsequent reimmunization on reproduction and side effects in free-ranging horses. At a scheduled management roundup in 2009, we randomly assigned 57 adult mares to either a GonaCon-Equine treatment group (n = 29) or a saline control group (n = 28). In a second roundup in 2013, we administered a booster vaccination to these same mares. We used annual ground observations to estimate foaling proportions, social behaviors, body condition, and injection site reactions. We found this vaccine to be safe for pregnant females and neonates, with no overt deleterious behavioral side effects during the breeding season. The proportion of treated mares that foaled following a single vaccination was lower than that for control mares for the second (P = 0.03) and third (P = 0.08) post-treatment foaling seasons but was similar (P = 0.67) to untreated mares for the fourth season, demonstrating reversibility of the primary vaccine treatment. After two vaccinations, however, the proportion of females giving birth was lower (P <0.001) than that for control mares for three consecutive years and ranged from 0.0–0.16. The only detectable adverse side effect of vaccination was intramuscular swelling at the vaccination site. Regardless of vaccine treatment (primary/secondary), approximately 62% (34/55) of immunized mares revealed a visible reaction at the vaccine injection site. However, none of these mares displayed any evidence of lameness, altered gait or abnormal range of movement throughout the 8 years they were observed in this study. Our research suggests that practical application of this vaccine in feral horses will require an initial inoculation that may provide only modest suppression of fertility followed by reimmunization that together could result in greater reduction in population growth rates over time.

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Evaluation of a forage allocation model for Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Cited by 5 publications

References 31 publications

Estimating Economic Carrying Capacity for an Ungulate Guild in Western Canada

Estimating Economic Carrying Capacity for an Ungulate Guild in Western Canada

Evidence for geographic variation in the diets of late Pleistocene and early HoloceneBisonin North America, and differences from the diets of recentBison

Reimmunization increases contraceptive effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) in free-ranging horses (Equus caballus): Limitations and side effects

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