Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Calgary Health Sciences Centre 3330 Hospital Drive NW Calgary Alberta T2N 4N1 Canada
2. Pennsylvania Game Commission 2001 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg PA 17110 USA
3. Department of Biology Indiana University of Pennsylvania Weyandt Hall, Room 114 Indiana PA 15701 USA
Abstract
AbstractResource selection and space use are important aspects of an animal's ecology and understanding these behaviors is necessary for proper wildlife management. We used mixed‐effect integrated step‐selection models to evaluate seasonal variation in resource selection between male and female elk (Cervus canadensis) and diel periods in central Pennsylvania, USA. Resource selection varied seasonally, between sexes, and across diel periods. These results demonstrate strong seasonal sexual segregation in resource use, and movements between habitats throughout the day, highlighting the dynamic nature of resource selection by elk and underscoring the importance of considering sexual variation at multiple temporal scales when designing ungulate management strategies. Finally, we developed habitat suitability maps for male and female elk in the Pennsylvania Elk Management Area. Wildlife ecologists and managers must consider multiple sources of variation in habitat use and resource selection, particularly for large mobile species such as elk.
Funder
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Subject
Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics,Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics