Pronghorn resource selection and habitat fragmentation in North Dakota

Abstract

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in North Dakota have experienced habitat fragmentation due to agricultural practices, roads, and oil development. We analyzed patterns of female pronghorn habitat selection in 2006 and 2014, years with contrasting pronghorn density and oil production in western North Dakota. We quantified resource selection and fawn:female ratios relative to proximity to active wells, road density, land cover, development, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and agricultural practices. We also assessed patterns of well placement relative to the same environmental variables. Pronghorn selected sagebrush and areas with low NDVI but avoided developed areas, roads, forests, and wetlands. Pronghorn selected areas close to oil and gas wells because wells were located in high‐value habitats (e.g., native sagebrush‐steppe ecosystems selected by pronghorn). For the majority of variables tested, selection was stronger when pronghorn density was low, consistent with current resource selection theory. Although females selected relatively open habitats, fawn:female ratios within areas selected by females were positively correlated with NDVI. Our results demonstrate that pronghorn avoid human development and roads but not oil and gas wells. Although wells are not actively avoided by pronghorn, their placement in high‐value habitat for this species leads to significant habitat fragmentation. In light of these results, we recommend efforts to conserve pronghorn habitat such as constructing wells away from sagebrush, using existing roads to service newly constructed wells, and re‐vegetating well pads with sagebrush plantings once they are no longer in use. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.

Fences reduce habitat for a partially migratory ungulate in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe

“…Our results support those of Christie et al. () who found pronghorn did not avoid well pads in North Dakota. The NSS, especially the Alberta portion, is highly developed with oil and gas wells, with a tendency for well pads to be on native habitat, which is also important habitat for pronghorn and mule deer.…”

“…Specifically, resident pronghorn did not select for or against well pad density whereas migrant pronghorn selected for well pad density; that is, the probability of selection increased with well pad density. Our results support those of Christie et al (2017) who found pronghorn did not avoid well pads in North Dakota. The NSS, especially the Alberta portion, is highly developed with oil and gas wells, with a tendency for well pads to be on native habitat, which is also important habitat for pronghorn and mule deer.…”

“…The NSS, especially the Alberta portion, is highly developed with oil and gas wells, with a tendency for well pads to be on native habitat, which is also important habitat for pronghorn and mule deer. The tendency for pronghorn to not select against well pads was previously noted because of a propensity for well pads to be placed on native prairie, which is high-value ungulate habitat (Beckmann et al 2012, Christie et al 2017. Though it appears that pronghorn select for areas with well pads, an assessment of how they distance themselves from the well pads, especially as well pads are under production, is warranted to assess the scale-dependent impact of energy development on pronghorn (Jakes 2015).…”

“…, Christie et al. ). Though it appears that pronghorn select for areas with well pads, an assessment of how they distance themselves from the well pads, especially as well pads are under production, is warranted to assess the scale‐dependent impact of energy development on pronghorn (Jakes ).…”

Long‐term effects of energy development on winter distribution and residency of pronghorn in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

“…For example, Beckmann et al (2012) showed habitat patches with high levels of drilling activity were used less by pronghorn, but there was no clear relationship between pronghorn use and distance to energy infrastructure. Relatedly, another study in North Dakota found pronghorn avoided roads but not well pads (Christie et al, 2017), whereas Seidler, Long, Berger, Bergen, and Beckmann (2015) found that pronghorn avoided dense energy development during migratory periods. The detection of demographic responses of pronghorn to energy development has been even more challenging , but in North Dakota, population declines have been correlated with increased oil and gas development (Christie et al, 2015).…”