Date of Award:
5-2023
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Wildland Resources
Committee Chair(s)
Simona Picardi
Committee
Simona Picardi
Committee
Tal Avgar
Committee
R. Douglas Ramsey
Abstract
Human development of structures like roads, fences, and other linear features can make it difficult for animals to move around their environment, affecting their ability to find food and avoid danger. Animal movement and the way they use space comes about from their responses to their surroundings and their choices to balance risk and reward. Because of this, we can understand how roads and fences affect wildlife by studying the way they move around their habitats. In this thesis, I focused on two large herbivores, mule deer and pronghorn, and studied how they use the space within Utah, United States of America. The goal of this research was to understand what the different effects of roads versus fences and road presence versus traffic on these species and their movements are. I found that fences and roads have different effects on pronghorn and mule deer and that the presence of roads itself versus the amount of traffic on the road affect animal behavior differently in different contexts. The results of this study can help wildlife managers to better understand how linear features impact animal movement and their behavior and make more informed decisions about how to protect wildlife in the Intermountain West.
Checksum
60a45f1b8fc17b0b6184b034b30cb184
Recommended Citation
Hart, Ronan B., "The Barriers to Movement: The Effects of Anthropogenic Linear Features on the Space-Use Behaviors of Mule Deer and Pronghorn in Utah" (2023). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 8730.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/8730
Included in
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