Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

Relations of forest cover and condition of elk: a test of the thermal cover hypothesis in summer and winter

Article Abstract:

The hypothesis that the sheltering effect of thermal cover is sufficient to enhance the condition of elk during summer and winter was tested. Results of six experiments revealed that there were no significant effects of thermal cover on condition of elk. In contrast, dense cover resulted in greater overwinter mass loss, fat catabolism and mortality. Data indicated that the enhanced performance of elk with little or minimal thermal cover in winter was due to higher levels of solar radiation flux and the potential energetic benefits of thermal cover were negligible.

Research, Animals, Forest ecology, Animal wintering

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Nutrition-growth relations of elk calves during late summer and fall

Article Abstract:

The nutrition-growth relationship in Rocky Mountain elk calves were studied to assess their implications on forage and habitat quality on a seasonal basis. Calves were shown to take in significant amounts of quality forage materials during the late summer and fall period to prepare for winter survival. Implications on wildlife conservation is in range management where forage quality must be ensured on elk summer and autumn ranges.

Food and nutrition, Wildlife conservation, Food supply, Forage plants

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