Between 2005 and 2010, we radio- collared 61 female elk (Cervus elaphus) on Fossil Butte National Monument and 12 female elk near Cokeville, Wyoming, slightly northwest of the Monument, all from the West Green River herd. We are using the 209,250 locations from these elk to identify seasonal distribution patterns, evaluate habitat use, and assess factors influencing the timing of migration. Specifically, we are teasing apart the relative influence that hunting pressure, snow and other weather events, food quality, and land management have on determining when the West Green River elk depart from their summer ranges. This work will inform management decisions for population management and resource protection of the sagebrush-steppe landscape they occupy.
NPS- Fossil Butte National Monument: Research at Fossil Butte National Monument began in 2005 at the request of federal and state resource managers. Concern over increased use of the Monument by elk and possible resource damage lead to the current cooperative effort lead by the USGS and supported by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and US Forest Service. This research is funded by the USGS- Natural Resources Preservation Program and has received additional funding from the USGS, NPS, and WGFD. Our current focus is to identify spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the West Green River elk herd for use in population management and resource protection. We hope to use the information collected to facilitate future research into the relationships among habitat quality, management practices, and ungulate distributions.
BLM- Kemmerer Field Office: Research focused on assessing elk response to BLM management activities began in late 2006. This pilot effort is funded primarily by the BLM- Challenge Grant Program. The USGS and WGFD have provided additional funding and project support. Our current focus is to collect baseline information on elk spatial ecology and quantify elk response to management activities (e.g., prescribed fire, sagebrush treatment, and grazing) as indicated by changes in spatial and temporal distribution characteristics. We are currently pursuing additional funding to increase sampling effort and hope to use the information collected to facilitate future research similar to that proposed for adjacent NPS lands.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
To forage or flee: Lessons from an elk migration near a protected area
Observations of elk movement patterns on Fossil Butte National Monument
Performance and effects of land cover type on synthetic surface reflectance data and NDVI estimates for assessment and monitoring of semi-arid rangeland
- Overview
Between 2005 and 2010, we radio- collared 61 female elk (Cervus elaphus) on Fossil Butte National Monument and 12 female elk near Cokeville, Wyoming, slightly northwest of the Monument, all from the West Green River herd. We are using the 209,250 locations from these elk to identify seasonal distribution patterns, evaluate habitat use, and assess factors influencing the timing of migration. Specifically, we are teasing apart the relative influence that hunting pressure, snow and other weather events, food quality, and land management have on determining when the West Green River elk depart from their summer ranges. This work will inform management decisions for population management and resource protection of the sagebrush-steppe landscape they occupy.
NPS- Fossil Butte National Monument: Research at Fossil Butte National Monument began in 2005 at the request of federal and state resource managers. Concern over increased use of the Monument by elk and possible resource damage lead to the current cooperative effort lead by the USGS and supported by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and US Forest Service. This research is funded by the USGS- Natural Resources Preservation Program and has received additional funding from the USGS, NPS, and WGFD. Our current focus is to identify spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the West Green River elk herd for use in population management and resource protection. We hope to use the information collected to facilitate future research into the relationships among habitat quality, management practices, and ungulate distributions.
BLM- Kemmerer Field Office: Research focused on assessing elk response to BLM management activities began in late 2006. This pilot effort is funded primarily by the BLM- Challenge Grant Program. The USGS and WGFD have provided additional funding and project support. Our current focus is to collect baseline information on elk spatial ecology and quantify elk response to management activities (e.g., prescribed fire, sagebrush treatment, and grazing) as indicated by changes in spatial and temporal distribution characteristics. We are currently pursuing additional funding to increase sampling effort and hope to use the information collected to facilitate future research similar to that proposed for adjacent NPS lands.
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
To forage or flee: Lessons from an elk migration near a protected area
Alteration of wide-ranging wildlife migrations can drastically impact the structure and function of ecosystems, yet the causes and consequences of shifting migration patterns remain largely unknown. Management decisions made in one portion of a landscape may induce spatial and temporal shifts of wildlife use in another, creating tension among private, state, and federal lands with varying missionsObservations of elk movement patterns on Fossil Butte National Monument
The elk herd that frequents Fossil Butte National Monument, a subset of the West Green River elk population, provides visitors with seasonal opportunities to view an iconic species of the western United States. Throughout the year, these elk range across a variety of private, State, and Federal lands within close proximity to the Monument. These lands are managed differently for various uses whichPerformance and effects of land cover type on synthetic surface reflectance data and NDVI estimates for assessment and monitoring of semi-arid rangeland
Federal land management agencies provide stewardship over much of the rangelands in the arid andsemi-arid western United States, but they often lack data of the proper spatiotemporal resolution andextent needed to assess range conditions and monitor trends. Recent advances in the blending of com-plementary, remotely sensed data could provide public lands managers with the needed information.We app