Habitat selection and survival of pronghorn fawns at the Carrizo Plain National Monument, California

On the Carrizo Plain National Monument (CPNM), California, little is
known about survival rates and habitat characteristics of pronghorn fawns
(Antilocapra americana). A marked decline in pronghorn numbers on the
CPNM (from approximately 200 to <30 individuals from 1989 to 2011)
prompted a study of fawn habitat use and fawn survival from 2009 to
2011. Only 45 fawns were born during this period. We attached GPS
collars to 44% of these fawns (<5 days-of-age). We then used the locations
of collared fawns to develop two separate binary logistic regression
models to explore the best combination of micro- and macrohabitat-scale
environmental variables for predicting (1) fawn habitat selection and
(2) fawn survival. Model results for habitat selection showed that fawn
locations were associated with increased concealment at close distances (5
m and 50 m) and decreased concealment at far distances (100 m). Fawn
locations were on lower sloped terrain and closer to available drinking
water and saltbush (Atriplex spp.). Model results for fawn survival showed
that increased survival time was associated with higher sloped terrain,
proximity to available drinking water and saltbush, and increased distance
from high-use roads. Collectively, these results demonstrate that fawn
habitat selection is scale-dependent and likely influenced by the combined
spatio-temporal needs of both females and their young. The results of this
study can be used to inform critical management actions on the CPNM.