High-use movement pathways and habitat selection by ungulates

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• 作者：William D. Newmark ; ^{bnewmark@umnh.utah.edu} ; Eric A. Rickart¹ ; ^{erickart@umnh.utah.edu}
• 关键词：Elk ; GPS mapping ; Mule deer ; Spatial regression analysis ; Ungulate trail network
• 刊名：Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift fü ; r Sä ; ugetierkunde
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：13_16165047
• 类别：abs
• 出版时间：July, 2012
• 卷：77
• 期：4
• 页码：293-298
• 文件大小：321 K

摘要

The cumulative movements of large mammals are expressed in many areas as semi-permanent wildlife trails. The mapping of semi-permanent trail networks offers a direct approach to assess habitat selection of high-use movement routes at relatively fine spatial scales across a landscape. Here we examine an ungulate trail network in north-central Utah created and maintained by the repeated movements of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and elk (Cervus elaphus). In a resource selection analysis using multivariable spatial regression analysis, we show that at a spatial scale of 70 m open and low cover and distance to water are important predictors of movement pathway density. We also demonstrate at a scale of 10 m that elk and deer movement pathways are less steep than adjacent terrain. The mapping of trail networks should be a particularly useful technique for examining functional connectivity among resource patches across a landscape and identifying important high-use movement routes.