Aspen Bibliography
Document Type
Contribution to Book
Editor
W.D. Shepperd, D. Binkley, D.L. Bartos, T.J. Stohlgren, L.G. Eskew
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Sustaining Aspen in Western Landscapes: Symposium Proceedings
Volume
Proceedings RMPS-P-18
Publisher
USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station
First Page
61
Last Page
80
Publication Date
2001
Abstract
Elk-aspen foraging patterns may be influenced by cover type, distance from roads or trails, the type of user on road or trail (park visitor, human hunter, or predator), and two general states of aspen condition (open-grown or thicket). Pellet group and browse utilization transects in the Canadian Rockies showed that elk were attracted to roads used by park visitors and avoided by wolves, and that elk possibly avoided aspen and conifer patches near backcountry trails used by wolves. In high predation risk landscapes, aspen stands were dense, lightly browsed, and rarely entered by elk. As risk decreased, elk density and aspen browsing increased proportionally faster on edges of aspen stands compared to the interior of aspen stands. In low risk landscapes, edge and interior plots were intensively used, and stands had a low density of heavily browsed stems. Regeneration of aspen stands likely requires low densities of risk-sensitive elk.
Recommended Citation
White, C.A. and Feller, M.C. 2001. Predation risk and elk-aspen foraging patterns. Proceedings Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service. Sustaining Aspen in Western Landscapes: Symposium Proceedings, Grand Junction CO, USA. No.RMRS-P-18. 61-80.