Diet and habitat selection of an erupting wood bison population ...
In this study I examine diet and habitat selection of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, Northwest Territories. This reintroduced population has increased exponentially since 1963 (r=0.21), and represents the only free-ranging population in existence. A 1987 total...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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University of British Columbia
2010
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0097699 https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0097699 |
| Summary: | In this study I examine diet and habitat selection of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, Northwest Territories. This reintroduced population has increased exponentially since 1963 (r=0.21), and represents the only free-ranging population in existence. A 1987 total count showed at least 1718 animals. The aims of the study were to: 1) determine changes in forage quality and forage quantity amongst the different habitats, 2) determine dietary components on a seasonal basis, 3) determine what biotic and abiotic factors affected habitat selection, and 4) determine home ranges and describe seasonal movement patterns as they relate to the changing distribution of forage. All forages except lichen demonstrated a linear decrease in percent nitrogen concentration and a linear increase in percent indigestible fiber concentration over the growing season. Lichen had consistentent low nitrogen and indigestible fiber concentrations. The ratio of percent nitrogen concentration to percent ... |
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