Presented by Drew Ann White

1. Habitat Selection By Elk Before and After Wolf Reintroduction in Yellowstone National ParkMao, J. S., M. S. Boyce, D. W. Smith, F. J. Singer, D. J. Vales, J. M. Vore and E. H. Merrill Presented by Drew Ann White

2. Introduction • History of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) • Wolf • Elk • Vegetation • Purpose • Anti-predator behavior http://www.bitsofscience.org/wordpress-3.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads//wolf-yellowstone-ecosystem.jpg

3. Methods • Prior to reintroduction • January 1985 – April 1987 (N = 7) • January 1987 - April 1990 (N =21 cows) and (N = 39 calves) • Post reintroduction • June 2000 – November 2002 (N = 80) • 1,560 summer locations/ 1,590 winter locations http://hikinglady.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Garmin-eTrex-GPS.jpg

4. Methods Cont. • Temporal Variation • Habitat characteristics • Vegetation type • Habitat openness • Elevation • Slope • Wolf density index • Snow water equivalent (SWE) http://lifesfast.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/lamar-valley.jpg

5. Analysis • Resource Selection Functions (RSFs) • Akaike’s Information Criterion (AICs) http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2010/12/20/bull-elk-yellowstone-national-park/

7. Analysis Cont.

8. Analysis Cont.

9. Discussion • Habitat selection changed • Interactive effects • Summer changes in habitat selection • Utilization of burn • Higher elevations • Winter changes in habitat selection • Open habitat • Grasslands http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Elk.jpg

10. Discussion Cont. • Interactions between selection of wolf density and other habitat features • Slope • SWE • Tradeoffs and seasonal strategies of habitat selection • Summer range • Winter range

11. Conclusion • Wolves are causing spatial and temporal changes in elk movement • Important implications for • Ecological processes • Nutrient cycling • Herbivory • Ungulate health

12. Questions? http://www.nathab.com/uploaded-files/carousels/TRIPS/Ultimate-Yellowstone/US-National-Parks-Ultimate-Yellowstone-11-wolves.jpg