Habitat Selection And Sexual Segregation Of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep In Custer State Park South Dakota

Author : Edward Alan Klinksiek
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 90 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (611 download)

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Download or read book Seasonal, Sex-specific Habitat Selection by a Low Elevation Population of Bighorn Sheep written by Edward Alan Klinksiek and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 90 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Low-elevation habitats may pose problems for reintroduced bighorn sheep where fire suppression and human presence have altered the landscape. Because male and female bighorn segregate for much of the year, habitat use may differ and impose new management strategies for restoring and maintaining populations of bighorn in these unique habitats. Seasonal, sex-specific habitat use was studied in a northwest Nebraska population of bighorn sheep from January- August, 2002 and 2003. Close proximity to escape terrain was a significant component of habitat selection models for all group types in all seasons, except winter 2002 for mixed-sex groups. Elevation was also important in habitat selection by all group types in all seasons, except males in spring 2003, with bighorn sheep found at lower elevations than random points. Slope was an important component during most seasons with all groups selecting areas with steeper slopes. Although not important in habitat selection by males, aspect was an important component of habitat selection by females and mixed-sex groups in 2003. Habitat type was important to males and females in spring and summer, but not for mixed-sex groups. Mixed-sex groups and female groups in winter and spring were found farther from water than expected. Distance to disturbance, although not important to mixed-sex groups, only appeared important to females in summer, when they were found closer to disturbance, and males in spring 2002, when they were found farther than expected from disturbance features. Sex differences in habitat use included female bighorn using areas closer to escape terrain and disturbance features, and lower in elevation than male bighorn. Although segregation of male and female bighorn sheep occurred during the spring and summer seasons, use of habitat types did not differ. Visibilities did not differ between male and female locations. When segregated, habitat use by male and female bighorn in the Pine Ridge appears to be regulated primarily by escape terrain with habitat type, slope, and elevation also being important factors. Continued survival and expansion of bighorn sheep in the Pine Ridge should focus on protection of current areas of use from disturbance and identification and enhancement of similar habitats.