The Greater Yellowstone Area Mountain Ungulate Project the Greater Yellowstone Area Mountain Ungulate Project

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Greater Yellowstone Area Mountain Ungulate Project the Greater Yellowstone Area Mountain Ungulate Project THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE AREA MOUNTAIN UNGULATE PROJECT THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE AREA MOUNTAIN UNGULATE PROJECT A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BOB GARROTT- LEAD COORDINATOR ECOLOGY AND ANIM. & RANGE SCI. DEPTS. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE YELLOWSTONE AND GRAND TETON NATL. PARKS WYOMING GAME AND FISH DEPT. IDAHO DEPARTMENT FISH AND GAME MONTANA FISH WILDLIFE AND PARKS U.S. FOREST SERVICE THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE AREA MOUNTAIN UNGULATE PROJECT A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BOB GARROTT- LEAD COORDINATOR ECOLOGY AND ANIM. & RANGE SCI. DEPTS. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE YELLOWSTONE AND GRAND TETON NATL. PARKS WYOMING GAME AND FISH DEPT. IDAHO DEPARTMENT FISH AND GAME MONTANA FISH WILDLIFE AND PARKS U.S. FOREST SERVICE 22 Biologists and 5 Graduate Students THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE AREA MOUNTAIN UNGULATE PROJECT Funding THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE AREA MOUNTAIN UNGULATE PROJECT Initiated 2009 Project Goal Develop and implement comparative studies of sympatric mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the GYE. 1) Gain insight into the ecological interactions between these two species. 2) Advance our basic ecological knowledge of mountain ungulates in the region 3) Inform policy and enhance conservation and management. THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE AREA MOUNTAIN UNGULATE PROJECT REGIONAL DATABASES DISTRIBUTION-RANGE DYNAMICS -MOUNTAIN GOAT RANGE EXPANSION SPATIAL ECOLOGY HABITAT MODELS REGIONAL DATABASES PHASE ONE • HISTORIC DISTRIBUTION – BHS: 1937-PRESENT ~22,000 RECORDS – MTG: 1942-PRESENT ~6,000 RECORDS REGIONAL DATABASES PHASE TWO • GREATER YELLOWSTONE MTN UNGULATE PROJECT – CAPTURE RECORDS • ~150 TOTAL CAPTURES • BHS: ~110 • MTG: ~41 – GPS DATA • 86,000 – DISEASE SAMPLING DISTRIBUTION-RANGE DYNAMICS Mtn Goats as Non-native Nine Introduction Sites Introduced Montana 1942-1959 Introduced Idaho 1969-1971 MTN GOAT RANGE EXPANSION 1970 MTN GOAT RANGE EXPANSION 1980 MTN GOAT RANGE EXPANSION 1990 MTN GOAT RANGE EXPANSION 2000 MTN GOAT RANGE EXPANSION 2013 BIGHORN SHEEP DISTRIBUTION MTN GOAT RANGE EXPANSION SPATIAL ECOLOGY OF MOUNTAIN UNGULATES OBJECTIVES Use telemetry to enhance our understanding of mountain ungulate spatial ecology • Seasonal distribution • Movement dynamics • Resource preference • Potential competition • Disease transmission MULTIPLE STUDY AREAS 1 Upper Yellowstone , MT 1 2 Mount Everts, WY 4 2 3 3 Northeast GYA 5 4 Clarks Fork Canyon, WY 5 Upper Sunlight, WY 6 6 Grey Bull, WY 8 7 Gros Ventre, WY 10 7 8 Grand Teton NP, WY 9 9 Snake River Canyon, WY 10 Palisades, ID CAPTURE TELEMETRY Dual Collaring – GPS-SOB and Micro-VHF TELEMETRY Currently: ~40 MTG & ~100 BHS To Deploy: ~20 MTG & ~40 BHS TELEMETRY ~ 200 Instrumented Animals Total TELEMETRY EXAMPLE The Thunderer Upper Sunlight THE THUNDERER THE THUNDERER THE THUNDERER THE THUNDERER UPPER SUNLIGHT BASIN UPPER SUNLIGHT BASIN USING OCCUPANCY SURVEYS TO CONSTRUCT HABITAT MODELS OBJECTIVES • MODEL MTN GOAT HABITAT SELECTION • PREDICT MTN GOAT RANGE EXPANSION OCCUPANCY SURVEYS OCCUPANCY SURVEYS OCCUPANCY SURVEYS OCCUPANCY SURVEYS SAMPLING EFFORT 551 SURVEYS 53,098 GRID CELLS 508 W/ GOATS 296 W/ BIGHORN 35 W/ BOTH MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL MODEL COVARIATES TERRAIN, CANOPY COVER, NDVI, & RADIATION MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - S. ABSAROKA MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - TETON RANGE MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE CURRENT ESTIMATE ~ 2,100 MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE CURRENT ESTIMATE ~ 250 MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL - ABUNDANCE Thanks for your attention MTN GOAT HABITAT MODEL – GROS VENTRE DISEASE Initial Strain-typing Of Mycoplasma ovi. CLIMATE AND BIGHORN SHEEP DEMOGRAPHY ANALYSIS OF HISTORIC BIGHORN RECRUITMENT DATA GRADUATE STUDENT CARSON BUTLER OBJECTIVES • ASSESS RELATIONSHIP OF ANNUAL BIGHORN RECRUITMENT WITH ANNUAL WEATHER VARIATION • ASSESS POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON GYA BIGHORN POPULATIONS DATA AND METHODS RECRUITMENT METRIC WINTER LAMB:EWE RATIOS WEATHER DATA SOURCE SNOTEL SENSORS ANNUAL WEATHER VARIABLES WARM SEASON & COLD SEASON PRE-BIRTH & POST-BIRTH DATA AND METHODS MOIST HYPOTHESES THE RELATIONSHIP OF RECRUITMENT WITH ANNUAL WEATHER PATTERNS DEPENDS ON REGIONAL CLIMATE DRY FINDINGS MOIST DRY FINDINGS MOIST DRY FINDINGS MOIST DRY FINDINGS CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS FINDINGS SUGGEST DIFFERENT AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED DIFFERENTLY DISEASE All captured animals sampled for respiratory pathogens UPPER SUNLIGHT BASIN UPPER SUNLIGHT BASIN.
Recommended publications
  • Celebrating 100 Years ■ 2018 Bierstadt Exhibition
    fall & winter 2017 Celebrating100 years ■ 2018 Bierstadt exhibition ■ From Thorofare to destination, part 2 ■ Dispatches from the Field: the eagles of Rattlesnake Gulch to the point BY BRUCE ELDREDGE | Executive Director About the cover: In Irving R. Bacon’s (1875 – 1962) Cody on the Ishawooa Trail, 1904, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody is either gauging the trail before him, or assessing the miles he left behind. As the Buffalo Bill Center of the West nears the end of its Centennial year, we find ourselves on an Ishawooa Trail of our own—celebrating and appraising the past while we plan for the next hundred years. #100YearsMore ©2017 Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Points West is published for members and friends of the Center of the West. Written permission is required to copy, reprint, or distribute Points West materials in any medium or format. All photographs in Points West are Center of the West photos unless otherwise noted. Direct all questions about image rights and reproduction to [email protected]. Bibliographies, works cited, and footnotes, etc. are purposely omitted to conserve space. However, such information is available by contacting the editor. Address correspondence to Editor, Points West, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, As we near the end of 2017, it’s hard to believe our Centennial is soon to become 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414, or a memory! We’ve had a great celebratory year filled with people and tales about [email protected]. our first hundred years. Exploring our history in depth these past few months has truly validated the words of Henry Ford, who said, “Coming together is a beginning; ■ Managing Editor | Marguerite House keeping together is progress; working together is success.” ■ Assistant Editor | Nancy McClure The Buffalo Bill Center of the West’s beginning was the coming together in ■ Designer | Desirée Pettet & Jessica McKibben 1917 of the Buffalo Bill Memorial Association (BBMA) to honor their namesake and ■ preserve the Spirit of the American West.
    [Show full text]
  • Landsat Evaluation of Trumpeter Swan Historical Nesting Sites In
    Eastern Kentucky University Encompass Online Theses and Dissertations Student Scholarship 2014 Landsat Evaluation Of Trumpeter Swan Historical Nesting Sites In Yellowstone National Park Laura Elizabeth Cockrell Eastern Kentucky University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://encompass.eku.edu/etd Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, and the Ornithology Commons Recommended Citation Cockrell, Laura Elizabeth, "Landsat Evaluation Of Trumpeter Swan Historical Nesting Sites In Yellowstone National Park" (2014). Online Theses and Dissertations. 222. https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/222 This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at Encompass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Online Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Encompass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LANDSAT EVALUATION OF TRUMPETER SWAN HISTORICAL NESTING SITES IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK By Laura Elizabeth Cockrell Bachelor of Science California State University, Chico Chico, California 2007 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Eastern Kentucky University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE May, 2014 Copyright © Laura Elizabeth Cockrell, 2014 All rights reserved ii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my family and friends for their unwavering support during this adventure. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research was made possible through funding from the Yellowstone Park Foundation and the Society of Wetland Scientists Student Research Grant for support of field work, and by a Graduate Assistantship and Research Assistantship from the Department of Biological Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University. Thank you to Dr. Bob Frederick for his insight and persistence and for providing the GIS lab and to Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Yellowstone Paleontological Survey
    E PALEONT ON O T LO S G W I O C L A L L E National Y Park The Yellowstone Service Department of the Interior Paleontological Survey SURVEY Vincent L. Santucci Yellowstone Center for Resources National Park Service Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming YCR-NR-98-1 1998 How to cite this document: Santucci, V. L. 1998. The Yellowstone Paleontological Survey. Yellowstone Center for Resources, National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming,YCR-NR-98-1. Current address for Vincent L. Santucci is National Park Service, P.O. Box 592, Kemmerer, WY 83101. The Yellowstone Paleontological Survey To Lt. Col. Luke J. Barnett, III “Uncle by blood, brother in spirit!” Vincent L. Santucci Yellowstone Center for Resources National Park Service Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming YCR-NR-98-1 1998 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 Stratigraphy .................................................................................................... 4 Fossil Chronology........................................................................................... 6 Taxonomy ..................................................................................................... 12 Localities ...................................................................................................... 15 Interpretation ................................................................................................ 19 Paleontological Resource Management.......................................................
    [Show full text]
  • YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK R N C Hard-Sided Camping Units Only C E Perc an Ez Pelic N See Detail Map Above PE L LICAN
    Services and Facilities Mammoth Hot Springs Old Faithful Canyon Village West Thumb Fishing Bridge, Lake Village 6239ft 1902m 7365ft 2254m 7734ft 2357m and Grant Village 7733ft 2357m and Bridge Bay 7784ft 2373m 0 0.1 0.5 Km To Gardiner To Madison To Tower-Roosevelt To Lake Village 0 0.5 Km To Canyon Emergencies Check the park news- Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Grand Geyser Amphitheater For medical or other emer- paper for seasonal dates Fi Duck 0 0.1 Mi 0.5 Post Amphitheater re To Norris 0 0.5 Mi h gencies contact a ranger or of services and facilities. Office o Lake Fishing Bridge le West Thumb Ice Visitor Education call 307-344-7381 or 911. Geyser Amphitheater Hill West Thumb Castle Center Showers-Laundry Ranger station To Geyser Basin Geyser Ri Old Ice Upper Terrace Drive: Park ve Canyon Lodge Medical clinic r Faithful Visitor Headquarters no buses, RVs, or trailers; y Information Station Campground a closed in winter Center To East HISTORIC w Bookstore - Showers Entrance Winter road closures FORT e n Laundry YELLOWSTONE o YELLOWSTONE From early November to Lodging Lake Village Post early May most park roads LOWER Office Lake Lodge UPPER TERRACES Chapel Old Faithful Inn Old Faithful LAKE are closed. The exception Food service TERRACES AREA Geyser Lower Falls is the road in the park AREA Old 308ft Upper Lookout between the North one-way Faithful Falls 94m Fishing Bridge Picnic area To Point Amphitheater North Lodge View Grand Recreational Vehicle Park Entrance and Cooke City. Inspiration hard-sided camping units only Entrance Post Office View Point It is open all year.
    [Show full text]
  • ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Pat and I Had the Privilege of Working with Many Dedicated and Competent People in the NPS
    374 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Pat and I had the privilege of working with many dedicated and competent people in the NPS. Ranger-Naturalists have carried the heart and soul of the ‘"National Park Idea,” and the “Mystique,” from generation to generation. It was a wonderful experience and privilege to serve with YNP Ranger-Naturalists Bill Baker, Lowell Biddulph, Bill Lewis, Bud Lystrup, George Marler, Ted Parkinson, Wayne Replogle, and Simon Simonian. They helped us understand what it meant to Love Yellowstone. Chet Cantrell, Fred Felsch, and Jim Hughes were dedicated seasonal rangers, and good friends. Rangers Tom Milligan, with wife Sharlene, Nat Lacy, Bert McLaren, and Don Guiton, Secretary Ellen Bratlien, and Park Engineer Tom Hyde and wife Norma, lived in the Mammoth Hot Springs apartment into which we moved in 1957. They all took us under wing and demonstrated the real “family” atmosphere of working for the NPS in those days. When we first arrived in YNP as a permanent Park Ranger, some of the storied permanent rangers were still serving in the Park. They included Chief Ranger Otto Brown; Assistant Chief Rangers Scotty Chapman, Hal Edwards, and Tom Garry; District Rangers Lee Coleman, Les Gunzel, DeLyle Stevens, and Joe Way; Management Assistant Joe Joffe; Assistant Superintendent Warren Hamilton; Chief Naturalist David de Lancey Condon; and Historian Aubrey Haines. It was an honor to serve with these men. Fire Specialist, and later Management Assistant, Dan Nelson and wife Junia consistently befriended us, from Yellowstone to Yosemite to Glacier. Sub-District Rangers Tom Ela, Les Gunzel and Lee Robinson, for whom I worked at Old Faithful, epitomized the best of the NPS; they provided the guidance I needed as a new recruit and were always receptive to input.
    [Show full text]
  • V05-2, Winter 1992
    -\--.-- @a*-- Kelseya uniflora e{ CI w5N.2 \ey wtNTER 1ss2 ./ / tbweletter of tl'F tlontana Nailve Plant PROFILE: llontana's lJncommon Planfs.... JOVE'S BUTTERCUP...GIANT OF THE PI.ANT WORLD? - Jan Nixon Perhaps the name 'Jove's buttercup" suggests to you a commanding pr6s€nc6, a brawny individual shouldering its way through the spring meadows. ln fact, this specic, Ranunculus iovrs, is one of the most diminutive of our native terrestrial butterd.fps; onty tte pygmy busercup, R. Wgmaeus, is consistonUy smaller. So why the apparently incongruous name? This species was &scribed by Aven Nelson in 1900 from a collection made by E Nelson and L Gooding in Yellowstone National Park on July 13, '1899. The population from which thE tlpe sp€dmon was collected grows on a mountain ridge known as 'The Thunderer" which dividc Soda Butte Creek from tho Lamar River, in the northeasi quadrant of the Park. Lee Whittles€y, in Yellowstone Place l{amee, statss that the ridga was named by the Hagua USGS Expedition in '1885 because of impressiva thunderstorm activity while they ware camped in the vicinity. r I Glll Apparsntly Aven Nelson interpreted thE name with a more dassical bent, howEver, perhaps picturing Jovian thunderbolts Rmsrcurrrs lovis A Nels. boing flung at an unwary traveler. The article in which he first R.nunculaccac (Buttcrcllp Fanity) described this taxon (in the Bulleth of the Torrey Botanical Known tontent atations: Bcavcrhcad, Club 27:261), do€s not include a rationale for s€lecting that GNllatln and Park Countlc. particular nam6, so I am reading between th6 lines a little in nry interpretation of the specific epithet.
    [Show full text]
  • Yellowstone Paleontological Survey
    Yellowstone Paleontological Survey Introduction Stratigraphy Fossil Chronology Taxonomy Localities Vincent L. Santucci Interpretation Paleontological Resource Management Research Collections and Curation Paleontological Resources Near Yellowstone [email protected] Bibliography Yellowstone Center for Resources Appendix A: Yellowstone Paleontological Survey Proposal National Park Service Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Appendix B: Yellowstone Paleo-Species List YCR-NR-98-1 1998 Appendix C: RMP Paleontological Project Statements Appendix D: Paleontology Researchers at Yellowstone Appendix E: Fossil Specimens in Park Collections Appendix F: Yellowstone Fossils in Outside Repositories Appendix G: GIS Stratigraphy Maps http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/paleontology/surveys/yell_survey/index.htm[5/28/2013 2:13:48 PM] Yellowstone Paleo Survey: Introduction Introduction A survey of Yellowstone's fossil resources was initiated in the same spirit of discovery demonstrated by Captain William Raynolds, Henry Washburn, and Ferdinand Hayden. Rumors of marine reptiles, trilobite mass death assemblages, and even dinosaurs in Yellowstone have lured a team of paleontologists in the same way that the legends of "Colter's Hell" and Jim Bridger's "Tall Tales" have attracted many before. Compared to other natural resources at Yellowstone National Park, fossils have received little attention. Except for the research conducted on the petrified forests, Yellowstone's fossils have remained a relative "paleo-incognita" more than 125 years after the park's establishment. As this survey demonstrates, the lack of paleontological research is not due to a lack of significant fossils. Perhaps historian Aubrey Haines provided the best explanation in his comment, "Past administrations preferred that resources not in the public's eye be left alone" (pers.
    [Show full text]
  • Beschta2020 Foodwebs.Pdf
    Food Webs 22 (2020) e00140 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Food Webs journal homepage: www.journals.elsevier.com/food-webs Large carnivore extirpation linked to loss of overstory aspen in Yellowstone Robert L. Beschta ⁎, William J. Ripple Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America article info abstract Article history: The striping of bark on the lower portion of aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) by Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus Received 22 December 2019 canadensis), or “barking”, increases entry points for disease organisms such as wood-decaying fungi, thereby in- Received in revised form 23 December 2019 creasing aspen tree mortality from heart rot. We hypothesized that this has occurred in Yellowstone's northern Accepted 24 December 2019 range aspen stands as part of a trophic cascade and has contributed to the premature and widespread loss of overstory trees. To evaluate these potential effects, we randomly selected aspen stands along a 60-km traverse ≥ Keywords: across the park's northern range. For overstory trees 15 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) within these Large carnivores stands, which were accessible to elk, we measured the height of barking (as indicated by deeply furrowed/black- Elk ened bark) and the proportion of increment core lengths with heart rot. Sampled trees had an average barking Aspen height of 2.2 m and 93.8% of them had heart rot. In contrast, only 13.3% of aspen trees that had grown in an en- Heart rot vironment protected from elk had heart rot. Heart rot comprised 45.2% and 2.5% of increment core lengths for the Trophic cascade elk-accessible and protected stands, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Mountain Ungulates a Contrast in Management Histories and Challenges
    Greater Yellowstone’s MOUNTAIN UNGULATES A contrast in management histories and challenges Editors P.J. White, Robert A. Garrott and Douglas E. McWhirter Featuring the photography of Mark Gocke Cover photos by Mark Gocke. Back cover photo by Doug McWhirter, Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Bighorn sheep rams on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Jacob Frank, National Park Service. Greater Yellowstone’s Mountain Ungulates A CONTRAST IN MANAGEMENT HISTORIES AND CHALLENGES Library of Congress Control Number: 2021911281 ISBN: 978-0-578-92639-1 All chapters were prepared, at least in part, by officers or employees of the United States government as part of their official duties and are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Foreign copyrights may apply. National Park Service (NPS) photographs are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Foreign copyrights may apply. However, because this work may contain other copy- righted images or other incorporated material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary. Greater Yellowstone’s Mountain Ungulates A CONTRAST IN MANAGEMENT HISTORIES AND CHALLENGES Editors: P.J. White, Robert A. Garrott and Douglas E. McWhirter Contributing Authors Carson J. Butler, Julie A. Cunningham, Jesse D. DeVoe, Sarah R. Dewey, Elizabeth P. Flesch, Tabitha A. Graves, Blake Lowrey, Hollie M. Miyasaki, Kevin Monteith, Kerry M. Murphy, Andrew C. Pils, Kelly M. Proffitt, Jay J. Rotella, Daniel B. Tyers, Mary E. Wood Featuring the photography of Mark Gocke. Technical Editor: Lorelyn Mayr, Media Works, LLC, Bozeman, Montana Contents Preface XI Kevin P. Hurley Introduction XVI P. J. White, Robert A.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of Mountain Goats in the Absaroka Range, South-Central
    Ecology of mountain goats in the Absaroka Range, south-central Montana by Nathan Crane Lentz Varley A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Fish and Wildlife Management Montana State University © Copyright by Nathan Crane Lentz Varley (1996) Abstract: A 3 year field study of mountain goat ecology was conducted in the Absaroka Range of south-central Montana. Mountain goats were introduced to the Absarokas in 1956 by the state of Montana. The population increased after introduction then declined in the early 1970’s. A compensatory response followed the decline and the population level remained stabile through the 1980's. Population trend counts in 1993-95 are more than double any previous count. From the initial introduction site, the population has expanded its distribution southward and eastward within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. In the last 20 years, goats have become established in the northeast comer of Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming. Sporadic sightings occurred in the interior regions of the park during the study. Density of goats within 4 units of the 300 km^2 study area varied. Population composition in the study units appeared to be related to different rates of population growth depending on period of subpopulation residency. Preferred habitats were typically wet, rocky areas with patchy, succulent vegetation. Cliff ledge habitats were used intensively for feeding and bedding. Goats most often fed within or nearby steep escape terrain. Fall diet of goats predominantly included graminoids (76%) and forbs (20%). Forage taxa in representative habitats contributed to fall food habits in proportion to their estimated abundance.
    [Show full text]
  • Thesis Summer Ecology of Bighorn Sheep In
    THESIS SUMMER ECOLOGY OF BIGHORN SHEEP IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Submitted by Alan Woolf In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado March, 1968 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY -------March 19 68 WE HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER OUR SUPERVISION BY Alan Woolf ENTITLED tlSummer ecology of bighorn sheep in Yellowstone --------------------------~------~------------------------- National Parktl BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING THIS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Master of Science Examination Satisfactory Committee on Final Permission to publish this thesi of it must be obtained from the Dean of the School COLOi:AC.:· "__ .' ··lIVEnsrr.~ FORT cu:...ut>.s. COLORAca ii SUMMER ECOLOGY OF BIGHORN SHEEP IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK A study of the summer ecology of bighorn sheep was conducted in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, from June 1966 to September 1967. Study objectives were to cenSllS the bighorn population, map the sum­ mer distribution, determine summer herd structure and behavior, observe daily feeding habits, and determine the effects of competi­ tion on summer ranges. The minimum number of bighorn summering in Yellowstone Park is 558. There were seven main summer herds: the NE herd, the lower Yellowstone and North park herd, the Washburn-Canyon­ Specimen herd, the Gallatin herd, the NW herd, the East boundary herd, and the Bechler herd. Most summer range was in the northeast part of Yellowstone Park. Migrations to summer ranges was incomplete in some cases, and the sheep displayed tolerance for a variety of summer habitats. Ewe herd (includes yearlings):lamb ratios were 100:59 in 1966 and 100:48 in 1967.
    [Show full text]
  • Annotated State and County Checklist of the Mosses of Wyoming, Part 1, A–L
    Eckel, P.M. 2016. Annotated state and county checklist of the mosses of Wyoming, Part 1, A–L. Phytoneuron 2016-17: 1– 123. Published 3 March 2016. ISSN 2153 733X ANNOTATED STATE AND COUNTY CHECKLIST OF THE MOSSES OF WYOMING, PART 1, A–L PATRICIA M. ECKEL Missouri Botanical Garden P.O. Box 299 St. Louis, Missouri 63166 [email protected] ABSTRACT This state and county checklist of the species of mosses known for Wyoming includes literature reports, lists of representative specimens examined, taxonomic and floristic annotations, and illustrations from the Flora of North America volumes 27 and 28. The account includes 380 species plus seven varieties. Past checklists of the mosses of the state of Wyoming include those of Nelson (1900), Porter (1937, unpublished dissertation), and Eckel (1996). Additional papers of floristic importance are listed in the Wyoming Mosses Bibliography. A detailed summary of collecting activity and early floristic publications is given by Eckel (1996). Continuing work on the state flora since 1996 by many bryologists and recent changes in classification introduced with the Flora of North America (FNA 2007, 2014) make a new compilation worthwhile. The most recent checklist of Eckel (1996) included 290 species plus 25 varieties, while the present list cites 380 species plus seven varieties. This reflects both new work and less emphasis on infraspecific taxa by authors of treatments in the Flora of North America. The nomenclature follows that of the Flora of North America. Synonyms, largely from that work, are provided to help interpret names on specimens. The entries include a paragraph for nomenclature, another referencing the literature including discussion of geographic distribution largely based on information given by FNA and by Lawton (1971), a third paragraph citing specimens examined by myself, and a fourth with discussion.
    [Show full text]