Open grassland productivity was measured within adjacent East Kootenay range units to
evaluate forage availability and calculate elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) and cattle (Bos taurus)
sustainable carrying capacity targets. This research extends rangeland monitoring with an
analysis of site differentiation and comparative grazing pressure to 2008 population estimates.
Significant productivity differences were found between grass and shrubs for range units
(p=0.024 and p<0.0001) and different biogeoclimatic zones (p=0.042 and p<0.0001). Notable
grazing pressure distinctions occurred: cattle exceeded the Rampart Mayook carrying capacity,
elk exceeded the Pickering Hills carrying capacity, and both species had sustainable populations
within the Power Plant range unit. These results provide clear direction for stock management
and offer valuable rangeland insight.
Furthermore, the study introduces cover-percentage productivity estimation (CPPE), a
simple grassland productivity assessment method. Pearson correlation coefficients were
significant and high between productivity results and cover estimates, indicating that CPPE will
be a useful field tool.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BRC.10170/359 |
| Date | 15 June 2010 |
| Creators | Anaka, Tobi |
| Contributors | Moran, Jonathan |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Detected Language | English |
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