Date of Award:
5-2024
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Wildland Resources
Committee Chair(s)
Mary Conner
Committee
Mary Conner
Committee
Tal Avgar
Committee
Julie Young
Abstract
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem hosts several of the longest, fully intact ungulate migrations remaining in the continental United States. However, expanding development and an increasing human footprint continue to truncate migratory routes. While the endpoints are often a seasonal range on protected lands, these migration corridors frequently cross other jurisdictional boundaries, including large tracts of private or multiple-use lands, with varying levels of protection. Thus, it is critical resource managers understand the dynamics of migratory movements to define population-level corridors and prioritize appropriate conservation strategies. Mule deer in Wyoming have been documented traveling long distances between summer and winter ranges; however, the extent of mule deer migration corridors from Grand Teton National Park and the Teton Range was previously unknown. Here, using data from GPS collars fitted to female mule deer, I described seven migration corridors connecting summer range in Grand Teton National Park and the Teton Range with winter ranges widely distributed throughout Greater Yellowstone. Within each corridor, I examined topographic, land cover, jurisdiction, and phenological characteristics to help resource managers prioritize areas for future conservation efforts and provide insight to model future movements.
Checksum
9000d202739db348fff168a5f60a5a5f
Recommended Citation
Schwabedissen, Justin K., "Spatial Ecology of Mule Deer Migrations From Grand Teton National Park and the Teton Range" (2024). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present. 144.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd2023/144
Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .