1
|
Watkins BE, Bergman EJ, Dhaseleer LC, Bernal LJ. Factors influencing productivity and recruitment of elk in northern New Mexico. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce E. Watkins
- Vermejo Park Ranch, Turner Enterprises, P.O. Drawer E, Raton NM 87740 USA
| | - Eric J. Bergman
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 317 Prospect Road Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | | | - Lance J. Bernal
- Vermejo Park Ranch, Turner Enterprises, P.O. Drawer E, Raton NM 87740 USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Attum O, Al Awaji M, Bender LC. The use of demographic data to monitor population trends of the Nubian Ibex, Capra nubiana in Jordan (Mammalia: Bovidae). ZOOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2021.2021654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Omar Attum
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, USA
| | - Malik Al Awaji
- The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Amman, Jordan
| | - Louis C. Bender
- Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Does condition of adult male cervids reflect condition of adult females? A test with mule deer. MAMMAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-021-00579-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
4
|
Sergeyev M, McMillan BR, Hersey KR, Larsen RT. How Size and Condition Influence Survival and Cause‐Specific Mortality of Female Elk. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maksim Sergeyev
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84604 USA
| | - Brock R. McMillan
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84604 USA
| | - Kent R. Hersey
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Salt Lake City UT 84116 USA
| | - Randy T. Larsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84604 USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Paterson JT, Proffitt K, Rotella J, Garrott R. An improved understanding of ungulate population dynamics using count data: Insights from western Montana. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226492. [PMID: 31869366 PMCID: PMC6927647 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of ungulate populations is critical given their ecological and economic importance. In particular, the ability to evaluate the evidence for potential drivers of variation in population trajectories is important for informed management. However, the use of age ratio data (e.g., juveniles:adult females) as an index of variation in population dynamics is hindered by a lack of statistical power and difficult interpretation. Here, we show that the use of a population model based on count, classification and harvest data can dramatically improve the understanding of ungulate population dynamics by: 1) providing estimates of vital rates (e.g., per capita recruitment and population growth) that are easier to interpret and more useful to managers than age ratios and 2) increasing the power to assess potential sources of variation in key vital rates. We used a time series of elk (Cervus canadensis) spring count and classification data (2004 to 2016) and fall harvest data from hunting districts in western Montana to construct a population model to estimate vital rates and assess evidence for an association between a series of environmental covariates and indices of predator abundance on per capita recruitment rates of elk calves. Our results suggest that per capita recruitment rates were negatively associated with cold and wet springs, and severe winters, and positively associated with summer precipitation. In contrast, an analysis of the raw age ratio data failed to detect these relationships. Our approach based on a population model provided estimates of the region-wide mean per capita recruitment rate (mean = 0.25, 90% CI = 0.21, 0.29), temporal variation in hunting-district-specific recruitment rates (minimum = 0.09; 90% CI = [0.07, 0.11], maximum = 0.43; 90% CI = [0.38, 0.48]), and annual population growth rates (minimum = 0.83; 90% CI = [0.78, 0.87], maximum = 1.20; 90% CI = [1.11, 1.29]). We recommend using routinely collected population count and classification data and a population modeling approach rather than interpreting estimated age ratios as a substantial improvement in understanding population dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Terrill Paterson
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kelly Proffitt
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Jay Rotella
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Robert Garrott
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bender LC, Piasecke JR. Reproductive senescence in free-ranging North American elk Cervus elaphus Cervidae. MAMMALIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2018-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Successful production of calves is necessary for growth of North American elk (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus 1758) populations, but few studies have evaluated age-related effects on both the conception and survival of a calf to weaning in multiple free-ranging populations. Conception and survival of calves to weaning were both affected by maternal age, with old (age 9 and older) females showing reproductive senescence as compared to prime-aged (ages 2–8) females despite achieving similar or greater size and condition. Reproductive senescence in our free-ranging populations ultimately resulted in old females weaning fewer calves (0.42 calves/female) than did prime-aged females (0.64 calves/female). Other factors, especially maternal size, also influenced conception and survival to weaning, and these interacted with age in a consistent manner, i.e. larger females or females in better condition were more likely to conceive and successfully wean calves within each age class. Female age structure receives less consideration in ungulate management than does male age structure, despite demonstrated impacts on population productivity of multiple species because of reproductive senescence. Because of the large proportion of individuals in senesced age classes in elk populations, low productivity in populations may simply reflect female age structure, rather than other frequently hypothesized factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louis C. Bender
- Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources , New Mexico State University , P.O. Box 30003 MSC 3AE , Las Cruces, NM , USA
| | - Jessica R. Piasecke
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife , New Mexico State University , P.O. Box 30003 MSC 3001 , Las Cruces, NM , USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Population Dynamics Model to Inform Harvest Management of a Small Elk Herd in Central New Mexico. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.3996/012018-jfwm-008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Crop depredation by wildlife is a frequent concern for natural resource managers and mitigation of this issue is often an important task for wildlife agencies. Elk Cervus elaphus and other ungulate species have depredated corn Zea mays at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA, interfering with the ability of the Refuge to provide sufficient supplemental nutrition to overwintering sandhill cranes Antigone canadensis and geese (Anatidae). We estimated annual adult survival and calf recruitment rates of elk from 2011 to 2013 at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Natural adult survival (excludes human-related mortalities) was high (mean = 98.3%; 95% CI = 95.0–100.0%). Calf recruitment was lower than in some populations, and ranged from 13.0 to 36.7 calves : 100 cows at time of recruitment (March and April) with a mean of 21.9 (SD =12.9). Using this information, we constructed a harvest management model to determine annual harvest quotas required to stabilize the growth of the elk herd on the Refuge. The female segment of the herd is growing at an annual rate of 9.0% (95% CI = −1.1–24.1%). To stabilize the growth rate of the female elk population, 8.0% (95% CI = −1.1–19.4%) of the cows would need to be harvested annually. We estimated an adult elk abundance of 40.0 (SE = 4.57; 95% CI = 33.8–52.6) in 2012 and 61.1 (SE = 7.21; 95% CI = 49.9–78.8) in 2013. Our harvest management model provides Refuge staff, who ultimately intend to improve corn yield, with valuable information needed to stabilize the elk herd. Further, our approach outlines a simple, easily implemented modeling technique that can be used for the management of other ungulate herds.
Collapse
|
8
|
Campbell KL, Strickland BK, Demarais S, Wang G, Jones PD, Dacus CM. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates limits to utility of lactation index for white-tailed deer management. WILDLIFE SOC B 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kamen L. Campbell
- Mail Stop 9690 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Mississippi State University; MS 39762 USA
| | - Bronson K. Strickland
- Mail Stop 9690 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Mississippi State University; MS 39762 USA
| | - Stephen Demarais
- Mail Stop 9690 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Mississippi State University; MS 39762 USA
| | - Guiming Wang
- Mail Stop 9690 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Mississippi State University; MS 39762 USA
| | - Phillip D. Jones
- Mail Stop 9690 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Mississippi State University; MS 39762 USA
| | - Chad M. Dacus
- Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks; 1505 Eastover Drive, Jackson MS 39211 USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Keller BJ, Montgomery RA, Campa HR, Beyer DE, Winterstein SR, Hansen LP, Millspaugh JJ. A review of vital rates and cause-specific mortality of elk C
ervus elaphus
populations in eastern North America. Mamm Rev 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara J. Keller
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences; University of Missouri; Columbia MO 65211 USA
| | - Robert A. Montgomery
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Michigan State University; East Lansing MI 48824 USA
| | - Henry R. Campa
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Michigan State University; East Lansing MI 48824 USA
| | - Dean E. Beyer
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Marquette MI 49884 USA
| | - Scott R. Winterstein
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Michigan State University; East Lansing MI 48824 USA
| | | | - Joshua J. Millspaugh
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences; University of Missouri; Columbia MO 65211 USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Popp JN, Toman T, Mallory FF, Hamr J. A Century of Elk Restoration in Eastern North America. Restor Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse N. Popp
- Department of Biology; Laurentian University; 935 Ramsey Lake Road Greater Sudbury Ontario P3E 2C6 Canada
| | - Tom Toman
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; 5705 Grant Cr. Road Missoula MT 59808 U.S.A
| | - Frank F. Mallory
- Department of Biology; Laurentian University; 935 Ramsey Lake Road Greater Sudbury Ontario P3E 2C6 Canada
| | - Josef Hamr
- Applied Research; Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology; 1400 Barrydowne Road Sudbury Ontario P3A 3V8 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pohler PS, Harveson LA, Harveson PM. Demographic characteristics of elk in the Glass Mountains, Texas. WILDLIFE SOC B 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Skrobarczyk Pohler
- Department of Natural Resource Management; Sul Ross State University; P.O. Box C-16 Alpine TX 79832 USA
| | - Louis A. Harveson
- Department of Natural Resource Management; Sul Ross State University; P.O. Box C-16 Alpine TX 79832 USA
| | - Patricia Moody Harveson
- Department of Natural Resource Management; Sul Ross State University; P.O. Box C-16 Alpine TX 79832 USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
|
13
|
Kindall JL, Muller LI, Clark JD, Lupardus JL, Murrow JL. Population viability analysis to identify management priorities for reintroduced Elk in the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee. J Wildl Manage 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
14
|
Halbritter H, Bender LC. Condition, Survival, and Productivity of Elk (Cervus elaphus) in the Sacramento Mountains of Southern New Mexico. SOUTHWEST NAT 2011. [DOI: 10.1894/f02-tal-19.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
15
|
DeVivo MT, Cottrell WO, DeBerti JM, Duchamp JE, Heffernan LM, Kougher JD, Larkin JL. Survival and cause-specific mortality of elk Cervus canadensis calves in a predator rich environment. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.2981/10-080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
|
16
|
Yarkovich J, Clark JD, Murrow JL. Effects of black bear relocation on elk calf recruitment at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. J Wildl Manage 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
17
|
Population Demographics and Dynamics of Colonizing Elk in a Desert Grassland–Scrubland. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2010. [DOI: 10.3996/102009-jfwm-013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Elk Cervus elaphus are rare in Southwestern desert grassland and desert-scrub habitats, and these habitats are anecdotally considered unsuitable for elk. We studied a colonizing herd in a Southwestern desert grassland–scrubland in northwestern New Mexico to determine the condition and population dynamics of elk in this habitat type. We radiotracked ≤ 24 adult (1.5 y and older) cows and ≤ 8 calves annually, 2003–2006; the sample of radiocollared cows in this study was very close to a census of the entire population for 2004–2006 based on repeated surveys and monitoring. Mean body fat of lactating cows in autumn was 10.6–13.2% in 2003–2004, indicating that lactating elk were acquiring high moderate–low good nutrition, but dropped to 5.6% in 2005 and 6.8% in 2006, indicating poor nutrition for these years of low precipitation. We found adult female survival of 0.94–1.00 and calf survival of 0.38–1.00. Calf survival was related to maternal size, maternal condition, and cumulative annual precipitation through parturition; all calf mortality occurred at or near parturition. Pregnancy rates averaged 0.33 for yearling cows and 0.86 for ≥ 2.5-y-olds, 2003–2006, and pregnancy was positively related to body mass for ≥ 2.5-y-old adults. Lactation rates of ≥ 2.5-y-olds averaged 0.59, 2003–2005, but dropped to 0.30 in 2006, due to poor maternal condition and low precipitation. Since colonization, elk have increased from about 20 to ≥ 53 individuals, a mean rate of increase of 18%/y prior to 2006, but decreasing to ≤ 4% in 2006. The high sustained rate of increase (with few exceptions) indicates that desert grassland–scrubland habitats are suitable for elk and merit consideration in elk management plans of Southwestern agencies.
Collapse
|
18
|
Bender LC, Cook JG, Cook RC, Hall PB. Relations between nutritional condition and survival of North American elk Cervus elaphus. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2008. [DOI: 10.2981/0909-6396(2008)14[70:rbncas]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
|
19
|
Chapter 22 Elk Nutrition after Wolf Recolonization of Central Yellowstone. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1936-7961(08)00222-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
|
20
|
|
21
|
|
22
|
|
23
|
BENDER LOUISC, CARLSON ELAINE, SCHMITT STEPHENM, HAUFLER JONATHANB. Body Mass and Antler Development Patterns of Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) in Michigan. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2003. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031(2003)150[0169:bmaadp]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|