Habitats occupied by elk (Cervus elaphus) in desert grassland-Scrublands of Northwestern New Mexico.

摘要

We studied habitat relationships of elk (Cervus elaphus) at scales of landscape, home range, and site on and adjacent to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, San Juan and McKinley counties, New Mexico. Across scales, use of habitats was driven by needs for cover. Pinyon-juniper and rocky habitats were used most often. Accrual of body fat was related most strongly to lactation and precipitation but also was influenced by several habitats, most strongly by semi-desert shrub-steppe. Habitats positively related to accrual of body fat were used less than available at scales of landscape and home range. Conversely, habitats preferentially included and used in home ranges were related negatively to accrual of body fat, further highlighting the importance of cover. At the level of site, feeding sites had greater cover by shrubs (>=23% versus <12%) and grass-forbs (>25% versus <11%) than did bedding sites, whereas bedding sites had higher overstory cover (>=46% versus <=4%). Bedding sites most frequently were under pinyon or juniper trees or rocky overhangs and caves. Activity during midday was avoided when mean high temperatures exceeded thermal tolerance. Aspect and distance to roads, streams, or water did not affect distribution, but presence of elk was associated positively with higher elevations in some years.Digital Object Identifier http://dx.doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-57.4.361