Elk population fluctuations and their probable causes in the Snake Indian Valley of Jasper National Park: 1970-85
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Authors: D. G. Dekker
Date: 1985
Journal: Alberta Naturalist
Volume: 15
Number: 2
Pages: 49-54
Summary of Methods: Dekker examined the decline of elk populations and other ungulates, in the Snake Indian Valley of Jasper National Park, by counting numbers of ungulates seen in this area from 1970 to 1985. The serious decline of Jasper Park's elk in the 1970's appear to have been the result of the cumulative impact of poor winter range, deep snowfalls, and increasing predation; whereas the recent increases of elk at the Devona site coincide with improved winter range and lowered predation. In contrast to the 1983 gains at Devona, Willow Creek elk did not increase after wolf numbers in the area crashed. This was possibly due to an additional mortality factor not present at Devona-hunting. To allow the Willow Creek elk herds to recover, it is recommended that elk harvest along the park's boundaries be managed very carefully. Critical winter range should be designated as a buffer zone where no hunting is allowed.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Documented Case History
Keywords: elk, jasper national park, alberta, population fluctuations, wolves, predation, winter range, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, management
Annotation: Field trips varied in duration from 2-5 days,Dekker visited the Willow Creek site 2-8 times yearly between 1 June and 31 October, and 0-2 times yearly between 1 November and 31 March,Dekker visited the Devona site 2-8 times yearly between 1 November and 31 March and 2-3 times yearly from 1 April to 31 October,Data for ungulate sighting presented in this study are restricted to 1970-1984 for Willow Creek, and to 1980-1985 for DevonaGrazing intensity is not known.
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