Habitat use by elk (cervus elaphus) within structural stages of a managed forest of the northcentral United States

Rumble, Mark A.; Gamo, R. Scott

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.12.005

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Ponderosa pine sapling or pole stands averaged 19 cm DBH and mature or saw timber stands averaged 23 cm DBH, so we combined them but retained the overstory canopy cover classifications. We reclassified vegetation communities of grass and forb, and ponderosa pine and spruce ≤40% overstory canopy cover as forage, and ponderosa pine and spruce >40% overstory canopy cover as hiding cover (Bennett et al , Benkobi et al , Juntti and Rumble , Rumble et al , Rumble and Gamo ). The resulting vegetation categories for our study included pine seedling or shrub, deciduous forest, forage, and hiding cover.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elk resource selection at parturition sites, Black Hills, South Dakota

et al. 2015

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We studied elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) parturition sites at coarse (314-km 2 and 7-km 2 ) and fine (0.2-ha) scales in the Black Hills, South Dakota, 2011, following a period of population decline and poor calf recruitment. Our objective was to test whether female elk selected parturition sites across spatial scales in association with forage, terrain ruggedness, road density, or hiding and security cover. At coarse scales in forests and grasslands, female elk selected sites in areas with greater proportions of vegetation communities that provided forage (56-74% of area) and more rugged topography (194-248 m) than found at random. At coarse scales in grasslands, elk selected sites in areas with lower road densities ( 1.24 km/plot). At the fine scale in forests and grasslands, female elk selected sites in areas with intermediate slope (19%), closer to water (355-610 m), and far from roads (541-791 m). Further, elk in forests and grasslands selected sites with intermediate security cover (50-88 m). We hypothesize elk selected for intermediate rugged terrain at larger scales for security from high road densities and human disturbance, but these areas may have placed elk in riskier environments for puma (Puma concolor) predation. Forest management that maintains opencanopied vegetation communities in less rugged areas and prevents ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) encroachment of meadows to provide forage may be beneficial for elk. Further, elk parturition sites occurred close to roads, particularly on public lands, and agencies should consider road-use restrictions and vegetation buffers beside roads in areas with less rugged terrain, which may provide favorable calving habitat. Ó 2015 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elk resource selection at parturition sites, Black Hills, South Dakota

et al. 2015

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“…), and an increase in the anthropogenic footprint past the physical boundary of roads (e.g., road‐effect zone; Shanley and Pyare ). Additionally, roads, and the vehicles that travel on them, can induce a wide variety of behavioral responses, such as heightened levels of vigilance and increased flight distance (Gavin and Komers , Rumble and Gamo ). Wildlife may respond to roads by selecting spatial refugia (e.g., vegetative cover) or areas farther from road corridors (Swenson , Millspaugh et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Direct impacts include diminishing habitat connectivity (Saunders et al 2002), an increase in the proportion of edge to core habitat (Forman et al 2003), exposure to noise and visual disturbance (Stankowich 2008, Brown et al 2012, and an increase in the anthropogenic footprint past the physical boundary of roads (e.g., road-effect zone; Shanley and Pyare 2011). Additionally, roads, and the vehicles that travel on them, can induce a wide variety of behavioral responses, such as heightened levels of vigilance and increased flight distance (Gavin andKomers 2006, Rumble andGamo 2011). Wildlife may respond to roads by selecting spatial refugia (e.g., vegetative cover) or areas farther from road corridors (Swenson 1982, Millspaugh et al 2000, Vieira et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resource selection and movement of male moose in response to varying levels of off‐road vehicle access

et al. 2018

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Many rural communities are increasingly relying on off‐road motorized vehicles to access wildlife for both subsistence harvest and recreational hunting. Understanding the effects of trail and road networks on wildlife behavior is crucial to effective management for subsistence opportunities in communities that depend on accessible populations as an ecosystem service. We collared 26 adult male moose (Alces alces) in interior Alaska to monitor fine‐scale habitat selection and movement patterns before, during, and after the hunting season in relation to trail and habitat characteristics. Moose response varied by region and the associated distribution of regional hunter trails (e.g., trails and secondary roads). Moose that resided in areas with extensive trail access selected habitat closer to trails and vegetative cover. Additionally, moose step length increased as distance to cover increased. Moose in more remote, less accessible regions avoided areas with high trail densities and selected habitat closer to quality forage during the hunting season. Moose step lengths also increased with higher densities of trails. Our research suggests that landscape‐level hunter access can affect patterns of male moose movement and habitat selection to avoid risk during the hunting season. Our models provide an innovative approach to examining the spatio‐temporal variation of behavioral responses to habitat and landscape features and can serve as a framework for managers to better understand the relationships between human disturbance during the hunting season and wildlife management and conservation.

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“…The black spruce-white pine stands were selected during autumn and winter, a behaviour also recognized by Peck and Peek [46] in a British Columbia elk population. Conifer-dominated stands have been selected by elk in many other studies in Western North America [15,34,35,47,48] as well as in Europe [49,50]. We found that upland mixed forest of spruce, jack pine, poplar, and white birch was selected only in winter.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

Elk (Cervus elaphus) Seasonal Habitat Selection in a Heterogeneous Forest Structure

Popp

McGeachy

Hamr

2013

International Journal of Forestry Research

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Seasonal habitat selection by the reintroduced Burwash elk population, approximately 30 km south of Sudbury, Ontario, has been analysed in order to assist in the development of future management. Twenty-five adult females were radio-collared and tracked 1-3 times a week for 3 years. The most prominent patterns included selection of intolerant hardwood forests (trembling aspen, white birch, and balsam poplar) during all seasons, while Great Lakes-St. Lawrence pines (white and red pine dominated stands) were used less than expected based on availability for all seasons. The selection patterns are likely associated with seasonal climatic conditions and forage preferences. Because the selection behaviours displayed here varied greatly from other elk habitat studies, it is suggested that managers consider the importance of population-specific habitat studies before developing related strategies.

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Habitat use by elk (cervus elaphus) within structural stages of a managed forest of the northcentral United States

Cited by 15 publications

References 18 publications

Elk resource selection at parturition sites, Black Hills, South Dakota

Elk resource selection at parturition sites, Black Hills, South Dakota

Resource selection and movement of male moose in response to varying levels of off‐road vehicle access

Elk (Cervus elaphus) Seasonal Habitat Selection in a Heterogeneous Forest Structure

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