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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Predictors Of Puma Occupancy Indicate Prey Vulnerability Is More Important Than Prey Availability In A Highly Fragmented Landscape, Courtney A. C. Coon, Peter J. Mahoney, Emilie Edelblutte, Zara Mcdonald, David C. Stoner
Predictors Of Puma Occupancy Indicate Prey Vulnerability Is More Important Than Prey Availability In A Highly Fragmented Landscape, Courtney A. C. Coon, Peter J. Mahoney, Emilie Edelblutte, Zara Mcdonald, David C. Stoner
Wildland Resources Faculty Publications
Habitat fragmentation represents the single greatest conservation challenge of the 21st century. This problem is particularly acute for large, obligate carnivores like pumas Puma concolor which have persisted in North and South America in the face of habitat fragmentation and other anthropogenic disturbances. Shrinking habitat and reduced connectivity mean that mapping habitat is increasingly important for species conservation in multiple-use landscapes. Previous work suggests that pumas occupy habitats where sufficient stalking cover and preferred prey are present, yet the intersection of these factors has rarely been assessed. Here we used data from 68 299 camera trap nights collected from 181 …
Ungulate Reproductive Parameters Track Satellite Observations Of Plant Phenology Across Latitude And Climatological Regimes, David C. Stoner, Joseph O. Sexton, Jyoteshwar Nagol, Heather H. Bernales, Thomas C. Edwards Jr.
Ungulate Reproductive Parameters Track Satellite Observations Of Plant Phenology Across Latitude And Climatological Regimes, David C. Stoner, Joseph O. Sexton, Jyoteshwar Nagol, Heather H. Bernales, Thomas C. Edwards Jr.
Wildland Resources Faculty Publications
The effect of climatically-driven plant phenology on mammalian reproduction is one key to predicting species-specific demographic responses to climate change. Large ungulates face their greatest energetic demands from the later stages of pregnancy through weaning, and so in seasonal environments parturition dates should match periods of high primary productivity. Interannual variation in weather influences the quality and timing of forage availability, which can influence neonatal survival. Here, we evaluated macro-scale patterns in reproductive performance of a widely distributed ungulate (mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus) across contrasting climatological regimes using satellite-derived indices of primary productivity and plant phenology over eight degrees of …
Deer-Vehicle Crash Hotspots In Utah: Data For Effective Mitigation, Chris Kassar, John A. Bissonette
Deer-Vehicle Crash Hotspots In Utah: Data For Effective Mitigation, Chris Kassar, John A. Bissonette
Wildland Resources Faculty Publications
Animal-vehicle collisions and their associated ecological impacts have been reported since at least the early 1920s and continue to be of national and international concern today. Over 1 million deer-vehicle crashes may occur each year in the United States. On average, ~2,300 deer are reported killed on Utah highways each year. Reported numbers of deer-vehicle collisions may be conservative because only from ½ to 1/6 of deer vehicle collisions that occur are actually reported to authorities. The number of wildlife-vehicle collisions continues to grow with increasing urban and suburban development, growing numbers of vehicle miles traveled per year (VMT), and …
A Track Plot System To Monitor Habitat Use, Richard A. Ockenfels, John A. Bissonette
A Track Plot System To Monitor Habitat Use, Richard A. Ockenfels, John A. Bissonette
Wildland Resources Faculty Publications
Difficulty in capturing a sufficient sample of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for a biotelemetry habitat use study led to the development of an alternative method using track plots. One-hundred 1 X 3 m plots/site were proportionately allocated by percentage area of distinct cover types, prior to random location in the 3 study areas. Results from 13 months of use indicated that the method was acceptable for monitoring habitat use patterns. Potential uses and problems are discussed. Comparisons with biotelemetry and direct observation data are made.
Estimates Of White-Tailed Deer Activity Levels In Oklahoma, Richard A. Ockenfels, John A. Bissonette
Estimates Of White-Tailed Deer Activity Levels In Oklahoma, Richard A. Ockenfels, John A. Bissonette
Wildland Resources Faculty Publications
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) activity levels were estimated by track counts on 3 study sites in the Cross Timbers region of Oklahoma during 1978-79. An activity index (number of tracks/day) was developed from repetitive readings of 100 track plots (1 x 3 m) per site. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in monthly activity levels were found. Within-month and between-month variability was influenced by land-use patterns, ambient temperature shifts, changes in food resource availability, and deer behavior patterns. A seasonal bimodal pattern was observed, with peaks during late spring and fall-early winter, while lowered activity was observed during early spring and summer.