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

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 promine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational Journal of Forestry Research Vol. 2013; no. 2013; pp. 70 - 76
Main Authors Popp, Jesse N., McGeachy, David N. C., Hamr, Josef
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2013
Hindawi Puplishing Corporation
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Hindawi Limited
Subjects
Cervus elaphus
Environmental aspects
Forest dynamics
Habitat selection
Red deer
Zoological research
Canada, Ontario, Sudbury
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Summary: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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ISSN:1687-9368
1687-9376
DOI:10.1155/2013/415913