Analysis of VHF Moose Telemetry Data Within the Upper Koyukuk River Drainage, 2008-2013
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Analysis of VHF Moose Telemetry Data within the Upper Koyukuk River Drainage, 2008-2013 Natural Resource Report NPS/GAAR/NRR—2015/970 ON THE COVER Sukakpak Mountain during VHF telemetry surveys, April 2009. Photograph by: Kyle Joly Analysis of VHF Moose Telemetry Data within the Upper Koyukuk River Drainage, 2008-2013 Natural Resource Report NPS/GAAR/NRR—2015/970 Matthew D. Cameron, Kyle Joly, and Mathew S. Sorum Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve 4175 Geist Road Fairbanks, AK 99709 May 2015 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received informal peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting of the data. Data in this report were collected and analyzed using methods based on established, peer-reviewed protocols and were analyzed and interpreted within the guidelines of the protocols. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This report is available from the Natural Resource Publications Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/nrpm/). To receive this report in a format optimized for screen readers, please email [email protected]. Please cite this publication as: Cameron, M. D., Joly, K., Sorum, M. S. 2015. Analysis of VHF moose telemetry data within the upper Koyukuk River drainage, 2008-2013. Natural Resource Report NPS/GAAR/NRR— 2015/970. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 185/128681, May 2015 ii Contents Page Figures................................................................................................................................................... iv Tables .................................................................................................................................................... iv Abstract/Executive Summary ................................................................................................................ v Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. v Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Study Area ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Moose Capture and VHF Data ....................................................................................................... 2 Habitat Information ........................................................................................................................ 3 Land-cover and Fire Class Error Assessment ................................................................................ 3 Results .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Moose Locations ............................................................................................................................ 4 Home Ranges of Moose ................................................................................................................. 4 Habitat Use Patterns of Moose ....................................................................................................... 7 Land-cover and Fire Class Error Assessment ................................................................................ 9 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Management Implications .................................................................................................................... 11 Literature Cited .................................................................................................................................... 12 iii Figures Page Figure 1. The Koyukuk moose study area with a Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) encompassing all VHF moose detections from 2008 to 2013. .............................................................. 1 Figure 2. All 2119 high-quality VHF moose locations in the study area from 2008 to 2013........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Figure 3. Minimum Convex Polygons for the 4 male and 19 female moose with 30 or more detections with individuals identified by distinct colors. ............................................................. 6 Figure 4. Proportion of moose detections in each aspect category. ...................................................... 7 Figure 5. Proportion of moose detections in each GIS habitat type. ..................................................... 8 Figure 6. Proportion of moose detections in each fire history type. ..................................................... 9 Tables Page Table 1. Number of survey days per month and year for the moose tracking effort within the upper Koyukuk River basin, Alaska, between March 2008 and March 2013. ................................ 3 Table 2. Estimates of moose home range size with 30 or more detections in the Koyukuk study area using 100% Minimum Convex Polygons. ............................................................................ 4 Table 3. Mean terrain ruggedness values for moose detections by sex................................................. 7 Table 4. Totals of moose detections in each GIS habitat type. ............................................................. 8 Table 5. Comparison between visual and GIS habitat type classifications. .......................................... 9 iv Abstract/Executive Summary From 2008 – 2013, 119 moose (Alces alces) – 27 males and 92 females – were radio collared and tracked via VHF relocation in the upper Koyukuk Valley of Alaska. We determined 2119 total locations, ranging from 1 – 53 per moose. Home ranges were delineated using 100% Minimum Convex Polygons (MCPs) for those moose with 30 or more locations. Habitat characteristics such as vegetation type, fire history, aspect, elevation, and terrain ruggedness were analyzed for each location. While we calculated the area of MCPs for individuals with 30 or more locations, we were not confident enough in the limited data to draw any conclusions on moose home ranges. Moose were detected most often in coniferous and mixed forests, exhibited a preference for unburned areas but avoided flat terrain. We compared moose habitat use based on visual observations during aerial radio telemetry flights with the habitat type as determined by GIS and satellite land cover imagery for that same location. Habitats classified by visual observation (which assessed the area around the moose) did not correspond well with remotely-sensed classifications (which were based on the exact coordinates for the moose). This could be due to a wide array of factors including differing methodologies. Burn classification showed a stronger agreement between the 2 data sources. While informative for some habitat use characteristics, this VHF data illustrates the point that larger data sets, such as those obtained from GPS collars, are necessary for robust home range and habitat analyses. Acknowledgments This project was promoted by public subsistence and wildlife advisory groups. Funding was provided by the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Land Management. We thank pilots Troy Cambier, Mike Spindler, Marty Webb, Paul Zaczkowski, Curtis Cebulski, Les Dillard, Pete Christian, Andy Greenblatt, Heather Bartlett, Nikki Guldager, Dave Sowards, and Sandy Hamilton for making this project possible and safe. Stacia Backensto, John Burch, Jason Caikoski, Roy Churchwell,