Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
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Item Do spawning salmon indirectly influence ungulate space use in the Copper River Delta, Alaska by attracting bears?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2020) DeFries, Elizabeth Shaw; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisOne of the key challenges in ecology is understanding the drivers of animal movements and distributions. Here, I used remote camera photography to examine whether the timing of spawning salmon altered ungulate space use due to the presence of bears. Using observational data collection methods, I quantified ungulate and bear presence at individual salmon spawning sites. I then analyzed relationships between bear and ungulate detection data to test for indirect effects between salmon and ungulates by applying linear regression models. A zero-inflated negative binomial model suggested that increases in bear detections are associated with decreases in ungulate detections. Results did reveal little overlap in the timing of ungulate and bear use of stream habitat during salmon spawning times, however, rigorous testing of my hypothesis may be limited by low rates of ungulate detection. Research dedicated to understanding the indirect effects of the timing of salmon spawning in the Copper River Delta can help evaluate the evidence for trophic interactions at various ecosystem levels. It may also offer insights into the potential magnitude the impact salmon has on the prey of large predators, other herbivore densities, plant communities, riparian area morphology, and essential ecosystem functions.Item Factors affecting the size and distribution of large herbivores in Kafue National Park, Zambia(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2016) Matandiko, Wigganson; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Scott CreelThe distribution and abundance of African ungulates are limited by abiotic factors (soil nutrients and water), bottom-up processes (forage availability and density-dependent competition for food), top-down processes (direct predation and the costs of avoiding predation) and anthropogenic effects. The relative importance of biotic factors such as food limitation and predation have been well-studied for some species (e.g. wildebeest, Connochaetes taurinus), particularly in flagship ecosystems such as Serengeti and Kruger National Parks. Research on complete ungulate communities is needed to describe differences between ungulate species in the relative importance of these limiting factors, and how their importance varies across ecosystems. Moreover, ungulate populations are in decline across much of Africa, and research is needed to examine the importance of anthropogenic effects and the manner in which anthropogenic effects alter the strength of other limiting factors. Here, we used line transect data collected over three years to estimate population densities and determine what factors limit the distribution of large herbivores in Kafue National Park - North (KNP - N) of Zambia, in Southern Africa. With temporal replication within and among years, we sampled a set of systematically distributed transects, and used distance sampling models to correct for non-detection and test the effects on ungulate distributions of vegetation type, grass height and color, recent burning, distance to rivers and lagoons, soil type, pH and nutrients, lion use, and the distance to roads, tourist camps, and park boundaries. Our results show that the most abundant large herbivores in KNP are impala (Aepyceros melampus), puku (Kobus vardonii) and warthog (Phacochoerus africanus). Using AIC scores to test a set of distance sampling models, we found substantial variation among species in the relative importance of abiotic, bottom-up, top-down and anthropogenic effects. These results suggest that a range of species-specific strategies may be needed to conserve African large herbivores and ameliorate recent declines.Item Influences of ungulate carcasses on Coleopteran communities in Yellowstone National Park, USA(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1994) Sikes, Derek ScottItem A survey of free-ranging and captive wild ungulates for tuberculosis and other diseases(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 1995) Hood, Brian RandolphItem Browse condition and trend on Montana ungulate ranges(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2002) Thompson, Scott KarlItem Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of carnivores and their ungulate prey across a communally owned rangeland in Kenya(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2012) Schuette, Paul Anthony; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Scott Creel; Aaron Wagner, Meredith Wagner and Scott Creel were co-authors of the article, 'Occupancy patterns and niche partitioning within a diverse carnivore community exposed to anthropogenic pressures' in the journal 'Biological conservation' which is contained within this thesis.; Scott Creel was a co-author of the article, 'Spatiotemporal niche partitioning among large carnivores, ungulates, people, and livestock in Southern Kenya' which is contained within this thesis.; Scott Creel and David Christianson were co-authors of the article, 'Factors affecting the distributions of native ungulates and livestock in Kenya's Rift Valley' in the journal 'Conservation biology' which is contained within this thesis.; Scott Creel and David Christianson were co-authors of the article, 'African lion abundance and space use in relation to a seasonally migrating human pastoralist community' in the journal 'Conservation biology' which is contained within this thesis.Carnivore and native ungulate populations are in decline inside and outside of government-protected areas in Africa due to habitat fragmentation, conversion of rangeland to farmland, and conflict. Though government-protected areas are an important component of conservation and management policy, it is also important to include landscapes that vary in their degree of protection and human land use. These mixed-use landscapes may provide valuable insight into patterns that promote coexistence among carnivores, native ungulates, and people. From 2008-2011, we examined distributions and abundances of carnivores and their ungulate prey across a communally-owned rangeland in the southern Rift Valley of Kenya. Here, the local Maasai community moves seasonally with their livestock across areas set aside for human settlement, livestock grazing, and a community conservation area. Camera surveys revealed a diverse carnivore community (21 species), which includes all native apex carnivores. Occupancy models revealed patterns of spatial and temporal niche partitioning in response to environmental conditions and anthropogenic pressures. Apex carnivore and native herbivore occupancies were sensitive to the proximity of water, the dry season, and distance to human settlements. In general, most carnivore and native herbivores responded to some form of human land use. Animal counts and distance sampling indicated livestock densities were nearly three times higher than total native ungulate densities, however, native ungulate densities were comparable to many government-protected areas. Selection of different habitats and land use types promoted coexistence between domestic and native ungulates. Zebra, wildebeest, and cattle (obligate grazers) densities were sensitive to a severe drought, but only wildebeest failed to rebound to pre-drought levels the following year. Behavioral follows of radio-collared lions (4F, 2M) revealed a local lion density of 0.136 individuals/km ², comparable to many government-protected areas. Lion groups altered their space use in response to seasonal movements of people, a pattern that likely explains low levels of local conflict. Overall, the combination of an unfenced, heterogeneous landscape and a land use system based on temporary settlements, seasonal grazing areas, and a community conservation area, allows apex carnivores, a diverse carnivore community, and their native ungulate prey to coexist at high densities with people and livestock.Item Factors affecting bear and ungulate mortalities along the Canadian Pacific Railroad through Banff and Yoho national parks(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2011) Dorsey, Benjamin Paul; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Lisa J. Rew.Railroads, roads and associated traffic have been shown to adversely affect ecosystems by killing wildlife and altering the landscape. Relatively little research has been conducted along railroads. Given the probable growth of railroads, it is imperative that we understand the impacts railroads exhibit on wildlife. In this thesis, I reviewed the documented impacts of railroads on wildlife then conducted analyses on data collected along the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR) through Banff and Yoho National Parks (~134 km). In the study area, over 1000 train strikes with 26 mammal species have been recorded between 1990 and 2010, which included 579 elk (Cervus elaphus), 185 deer (Odocoileus spp.) and 79 bears (Ursus spp.). The goal of this research was to provide an initial assessment of the factors affecting strikes with ungulates and bears along the CPR. To accomplish these goals, I studied four general factors that have been hypothesized to affect the rate and spatial distribution of strikes. These are: wildlife abundance, anthropogenic foods, and railroad design. I compared strike rates along three mile long rail segments to train spilled grain, train and railroad design variables. I developed an estimate of risk using line transect data so that I could determine if there was evidence for nonconstant strike risk. Statistical models were used to identify which factors best explained strike rates. I detected correlations between the density of train-spilled grain and bear foraging rates but not with bear strikes. I identified locations where corrective measures or mitigation solutions may be needed and identified railroad designs and landscape variables associated with those locations. Hotspots were identified for elk and deer but not bears. Relative abundance was generally correlated with strike rates. High risk locations, where more strikes occurred than were expected, were identified. Train speed limit and right-of-way width was positively associated with strikes for elk and/or deer. For bears, the number of structures (e.g. highway overpasses) and bridges were positively associated with strikes. These results were used to suggest management recommendations including train speed reductions, habitat modifications and railroad design alterations to reduce the risk of strikes.Item Evaluation of a web-based tool for ungulate harvest management(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2006) Kenyon, Marc Wayne, Jr.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: James E. Knight.Hunting the female segment of a wild ungulate population is an effective wildlife management tool to control overpopulation. Most hunters prefer to harvest males however, limiting success in controlling overpopulation. Landowners attempting to manage wild ungulate overpopulation have expressed difficulty with finding hunters who wish to harvest female ungulates. Likewise, some hunters willing to harvest female ungulates have difficulty locating private landowners seeking hunters. The Montana State University Wildlife Extension Program created the DoeCowHunt website to help remedy this situation (www.DoeCowHunt.montana.edu). This website is a tool to facilitate contact between landowners and hunters for harvesting doe deer (Odocoileus spp.), doe pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) and cow elk (Cervus elaphus). The website has been available for the Montana 2003, 2004 and 2005 big-game hunting seasons, with over 40,000 visits and 2,500 registered users.