Seasonal Migration and Home Ranges of Female Elk in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming

Understanding the movement and dispersion patterns of elk (Cervus elaphus) on public lands and the underlying factors that affect each will facilitate elk management and help resolve conflicts between management that benefit elk and other uses of land resources. Consequently, there is a need to identify and examine the movement and dispersion patterns of elk in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. Our study quantified seasonal movements, determined home ranges of female elk in two areas of the Black Hills, and examined underlying factors associated with each. Elk in the northern area did not demonstrate seasonal migration patterns. Rather, winter ranges in the northern area were contained mostly within the boundaries of the summer range. Elk in the southern area exhibited a north-south migration pattern that coincided with seasonal patterns of snowfall. These elk migrated to winter range in late November and returned to summer range in late April. Home ranges of elk in the southern area were larger (P \u3c 0.01) than home ranges in the northern area. Landscape characteristics with marginally-significant correlations to elk home range area included road density (P = 0.10), and forage:cover ratio (P = 0.08); density of primary and secondary roads and average slope were significantly correlated with elk home range area (P \u3c 0.01). Managers can use this information to develop strategies that meet population goals and reduce conflicts between management for elk and with other resources

Revegetation Success and Weed Resilience of Wyoming Right-Of-Way Reclamation

RS02218Roadside revegetation within highway rights-of-way is a final step in road construction, and often occurs in areas that are difficult to reclaim due to harsh climate conditions and impacts of land disturbance, including topsoil removal, soil compaction, and the presence of noxious and invasive weeds. Wyoming Department of Transportation managers have focused on reseeding native plant species since the 1990s, and seed mixes are designed for application among six Level II ecoregions across the state. A study of 73 sites along 12 highways in central and southern Wyoming revealed that 36 percent of seeded species were present among sampled sites between two and twenty years after projects were completed. In addition, a minimum of one seeded species was detected along transects for all 31 roadside projects. Grasses were the most likely plant type to establish from seed mixes despite both the number of forbs in seed mixes, and the large number of native and non-native forbs present at field sites. While many seeded species were not detected along reclaimed roadsides, a higher abundance of seeded plants corresponded to a significantly lower number of introduced weeds. Moreover, a higher number of weeds along roadsides positively correlated with a higher number of weeds over the fence line, providing evidence that weeds may be spreading along road corridors and into nearby, undisturbed rangeland. Results of this study support seeding roadsides with native vegetation to minimize the number and abundance of undesirable, non-native species. Further study is needed to determine the factors that prevent establishment of seeded forbs along road rights-of-way in Wyoming

Greater sage-grouse apparent nest productivity and chick survival in Carbon County, Wyoming

Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus populations across North America have been declining due to degradation and fragmentation of sagebrush habitat. As part of a study quantifying greater sage-grouse demographics prior to construction of a wind energy facility, we estimated apparent net nest productivity and survival rate of chicks associated with radio-equipped female sage-grouse in Carbon County, Wyoming, USA. We estimated apparent net nest productiv-ity using a weighted mean of the average brood size and used a modified logistic-exposure method to estimate daily chick survival over a 70-day time period. Apparent nest productivity was 2.79 chicks per female (95% CI: 1.46–4.12) in 2011, 2.00 chicks per female (95% CI: 1.00–3.00) in 2012, and 1.54 chick per female (95% CI: 0.62–2.46) in 2013. Chick survival to 70 days post-hatch was 19.10% (95% CI: 6.22–37.42%) in 2011, 4.20% (95% CI: 0.84–12.31%) in 2012, and 16.05% (95% CI: 7.67–27.22%) in 2013. These estimates were low, yet within the range of other published survival rates. Chick survival was primarily associated with year and chick age, with minor effects of average temperature between surveys and hatch date. The variability in chick survival rates across years of our study suggests annual weather patterns may have large impacts on chick survival. Thus, management actions that increase the availability of food and cover for chicks may be necessary, especially during years with drought and above-average spring temperatures

The GEOTRACES Intermediate Data Product 2014

The GEOTRACES Intermediate Data Product 2014 (IDP2014) is the first publicly available data product of the international GEOTRACES programme, and contains data measured and quality controlled before the end of 2013. It consists of two parts: (1) a compilation of digital data for more than 200 trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) as well as classical hydrographic parameters, and (2) the eGEOTRACES Electronic Atlas providing a strongly inter-linked on-line atlas including more than 300 section plots and 90 animated 3D scenes. The IDP2014 covers the Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian oceans, exhibiting highest data density in the Atlantic. The TEI data in the IDP2014 are quality controlled by careful assessment of intercalibration results and multi-laboratory data comparisons at cross-over stations. The digital data are provided in several formats, including ASCII spreadsheet, Excel spreadsheet, netCDF, and Ocean Data View collection. In addition to the actual data values the IDP2014 also contains data quality flags and 1-? data error values where available. Quality flags and error values are useful for data filtering. Metadata about data originators, analytical methods and original publications related to the data are linked to the data in an easily accessible way. The eGEOTRACES Electronic Atlas is the visual representation of the IDP2014 data providing section plots and a new kind of animated 3D scenes. The basin-wide 3D scenes allow for viewing of data from many cruises at the same time, thereby providing quick overviews of large-scale tracer distributions. In addition, the 3D scenes provide geographical and bathymetric context that is crucial for the interpretation and assessment of observed tracer plumes, as well as for making inferences about controlling processes

Resource Selection by Elk at Two Spatial Scales in the Black Hills, South Dakota

Understanding resource selection by elk (Cervus elaphus) at multiple spatial scales may provide information that will help resolve the increasing number of resource conflicts involving elk. We quantified vegetation at 412 sites where the precise location of elk was known by direct observation and 509 random sites in the Black Hills of South Dakota during 1998– 2001. We obtained stand level variables from geographic information system coverages for a 250 m buffer around elk and random sites. We used classification and regression trees to simultaneously evaluate environmental thresholds of resources selected by feeding and bedded elk at the site and stand spatial scales. Length of roads (≤11.4 m) within 250 m differentiated elk feeding and bed sites from random sites. Only 24% of random sites were misclassified based on this criterion. Ninety-two percent of sites selected by bedded elk had little or no occurrence of the open forest shrub (western snowberry [Symphoricarpos occidentalis]) demonstrating general selection of medium to dense forest while elk were bedded. Whereas, 82% of elk feeding sites and 95% of the random sites with ≤11.4 m or roads at the first node (a dichotomous split in the decision tree) had \u3e2% cover of western snowberry. Feeding sites of elk not classified based on snowberry cover occurred in grassland and open forest vegetation types while random sites mostly occurred in pole-size forest with \u3e40% overstory canopy cover and mature forest stands \u3e70% overstory canopy cover. Overall, the estimated error of the classification and regression tree model was approximately 15%, with less clear separation occurring in the second and third nodes of the tree. Site characteristics were more important than stand characteristics determining sites selected by elk

Resource Selection by Elk at Two Spatial Scales in the Black Hills, South Dakota

Understanding resource selection by elk (Cervus elaphus) at multiple spatial scales may provide information that will help resolve the increasing number of resource conflicts involving elk. We quantified vegetation at 412 sites where the precise location of elk was known by direct observation and 509 random sites in the Black Hills of South Dakota during 1998– 2001. We obtained stand level variables from geographic information system coverages for a 250 m buffer around elk and random sites. We used classification and regression trees to simultaneously evaluate environmental thresholds of resources selected by feeding and bedded elk at the site and stand spatial scales. Length of roads (≤11.4 m) within 250 m differentiated elk feeding and bed sites from random sites. Only 24% of random sites were misclassified based on this criterion. Ninety-two percent of sites selected by bedded elk had little or no occurrence of the open forest shrub (western snowberry [Symphoricarpos occidentalis]) demonstrating general selection of medium to dense forest while elk were bedded. Whereas, 82% of elk feeding sites and 95% of the random sites with ≤11.4 m or roads at the first node (a dichotomous split in the decision tree) had \u3e2% cover of western snowberry. Feeding sites of elk not classified based on snowberry cover occurred in grassland and open forest vegetation types while random sites mostly occurred in pole-size forest with \u3e40% overstory canopy cover and mature forest stands \u3e70% overstory canopy cover. Overall, the estimated error of the classification and regression tree model was approximately 15%, with less clear separation occurring in the second and third nodes of the tree. Site characteristics were more important than stand characteristics determining sites selected by elk

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

Timber management is the most prominent land management activity in the Black Hills National Forest in the northcentral United States. Management units are stands 4–32 ha in size and are described using a hierarchal vegetative description including vegetation type, size class (age), and overstory canopy cover. For the most part, these stands are relatively homogeneous resulting from decades of even-aged management. Because elk (Cervus elaphus) select habitats at different scales from home ranges to microsites, it is important for managers to know how elk utilize vegetative conditions within these stands. We compared vegetative conditions at microsites selected by elk to the vegetative conditions of similarly classified stands to enable managers to better understand how timber management affects elk habitat. Within these relatively homogeneous forest stands under even-age management of the Black Hills, elk demonstrated selection for particular forest attributes. Vegetative conditions that provide cover for elk were selected for in open stands (both aspen and pine), but while in dense stands, elk selected for more open conditions. The elk hiding cover model should be adjusted for this forest

Seasonal Migration and Home Ranges of Female Elk in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming

Understanding the movement and dispersion patterns of elk (Cervus elaphus) on public lands and the underlying factors that affect each will facilitate elk management and help resolve conflicts between management that benefit elk and other uses of land resources. Consequently, there is a need to identify and examine the movement and dispersion patterns of elk in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. Our study quantified seasonal movements, determined home ranges of female elk in two areas of the Black Hills, and examined underlying factors associated with each. Elk in the northern area did not demonstrate seasonal migration patterns. Rather, winter ranges in the northern area were contained mostly within the boundaries of the summer range. Elk in the southern area exhibited a north-south migration pattern that coincided with seasonal patterns of snowfall. These elk migrated to winter range in late November and returned to summer range in late April. Home ranges of elk in the southern area were larger (P \u3c 0.01) than home ranges in the northern area. Landscape characteristics with marginally-significant correlations to elk home range area included road density (P = 0.10), and forage:cover ratio (P = 0.08); density of primary and secondary roads and average slope were significantly correlated with elk home range area (P \u3c 0.01). Managers can use this information to develop strategies that meet population goals and reduce conflicts between management for elk and with other resources

EVALUATING ELK HABITAT INTERACTIONS WITH GPS COLLARS

Global positioning systems (GPS) are likely to revolutionize animal telemetry studies. GPS collars allow biologists to collect systematically scheduled data when VHF telemetry data is difficult or impossible to collect. Past studies have shown that the success of GPS telemetry is greater when animals are standing, or in open habitats. To make effective use of GPS telemetry, biologists need to understand its advantages and disadvantages. Our objectives are to compare data from GPS and VHF telemetry, present data on the use of activity sensors for estimating behavior and show that unsuccessful GPS fix attempts can provide insights into the biology of elk. We placed two GPS telemetry collars, capable of remote transmission of data to a command unit, and 44 VHF telemetry collars on adult female (cow) elk (Cervus elaphus).The GPS collars were programmed to take three fixes, three days each week. These GPS collars did not operate properly. In February 2000, we placed four store-on-board GPS collars from a different manufacturer on cow elk. These collars were programmed to collect 6- 12 locations each day, with drop-off mechanisms set for December 1, 2000. The average success in acquiring fixes was 88 % , with 70 % 3D locations. Each GPS collar collected more locations of elk than were obtained by three technicians working>2 yr using VHF telemetry. Tilt-switch activity sensors suggested that elk were feeding in 40 % of locations. The data indicated that feeding and bedding occurred in all habitats. As expected, elk appeared to spend more time feeding than bedded in grassland