Forage availability, diets, distribution, and productivity were
compared for Roosevelt elk, Cervus elaphus roosevelti, using improved
(i.e. seeded, fertilized, and grazed) and untreated areas of the Oregon
Coast Range. Seasonal forage availability was substantially different
on 1-year-old improved and untreated clearcuts, but the differences
diminished by clearcut age 4 and essentially disappeared by clearcut age
7. Elk diets, as evaluated by fecal analysis, were similar in plant
species composition and DAPA concentrations on both areas. There was no
significant difference in estimated calf birth weights or survival, or
in pregnancy and lactation rates, kidney and metatarsal marrow fat
concentrations, or breeding dates of adult cows using improved and
untreated areas. Summer and winter calf ratios were similar in 7 of 8
seasons sampled. There was no significant difference in home range or
core area size, and distances traveled were similar on both areas in all
seasons except winter. Elk exposed to summer sheep grazing were
displaced an average of 1211 m (SD = 28 m) for an average of 14 weeks
(SD = 5 weeks). Elk using improved areas stayed closer to forage areas
in spring, but otherwise there was no significant difference in
proximity to forage. Elk from both areas demonstrated preferential use
of meadows, and used other forage areas in proportion to their
availability. The combined results indicated that the forage
improvement practices were ineffective in producing any measurable
benefits for elk. / Graduation date: 1994
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/35871 |
| Date | 06 December 1993 |
| Creators | Stussy, Rosemary J. |
| Contributors | Coblentz, Bruce E. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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