Connectivity of Elk Migration in Southwestern Alberta

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the migration of a partially migratory population of 650 Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) in the human dominated landscape of southwestern Alberta. I contribute previously unknown values for metrics known to be important for elk ecology and management, including: migration timing, distance, and duration . The Brownian bridge movement model was used to delineate a probabilistic estimate of elk migration corridors between seasonal ranges, to determine if elk use stopovers during migration and prioritize migration corridors. Elk used a number of stopovers during migration likely to maximize areas of rich forage due to spring green-up. Stopovers were found to be >500m from roads in areas of rugged terrain These stopover locations are critical components in altitudinal migration. Finally a predictive modeling process using graph theory methods (least cost and circuit theory) was undertaken to predict connectivity of the landscape for elk.