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ID: Migrating mule deer: effects of anthropogenically altered landscapes
Migrating mule deer: effects of anthropogenically altered landscapes
Type: Article
Subjects: Migration
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Northwestern Colorado
Oil and gas development
Item
view first image of Migrating mule deer: effects of anthropogenically altered landscapes
Migrating mule deer: effects of anthropogenically altered landscapes
Type:Article
Subject:Migration
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Northwestern Colorado
Oil and gas development
Description:Background: Migration is an adaptive strategy that enables animals to enhance resource availability and reduce risk of predation at a broad geographic scale. Ungulate migrations generally occur along traditional routes, many of which have been disrupted by anthropogenic disturbances. Spring migration in ungulates is of particular importance for conservation planning, because it is closely coupled with timing of parturition. The degree to which oil and gas development affects migratory patterns, and whether ungulate migration is sufficiently plastic to compensate for such changes, warrants additional study to better understand this critical conservation issue.Methodology/Principal Findings: We studied timing and synchrony of departure from winter range and arrival to summer range of female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in northwestern Colorado, USA, which has one of the largest natural-gas reserves currently under development in North America. We hypothesized that in addition to local weather, plant phenology, and individual life-history characteristics, patterns of spring migration would be modified by disturbances associated with natural-gas extraction. We captured 205 adult female mule deer, equipped them with GPS collars, and observed patterns of spring migration during 2008–2010.Conclusions/Significance: Timing of spring migration was related to winter weather (particularly snow depth) and access to emerging vegetation, which varied among years, but was highly synchronous across study areas within years. Additionally, timing of migration was influenced by the collective effects of anthropogenic disturbance, rate of travel, distance traveled, and body condition of adult females. Rates of travel were more rapid over shorter migration distances in areas of high natural-gas development resulting in the delayed departure, but early arrival for females migrating in areas with high development compared with less-developed areas. Such shifts in behavior could have consequences for timing of arrival on birthing areas, especially where mule deer migrate over longer distances or for greater durations. [show more]
ID: Migration patterns of adult female mule deer in response to energy development
Migration patterns of adult female mule deer in response to energy development
Type: Article
Subjects: Migration
Mule deer
Parturition
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Oil and gas development
Northwest Colorado
South-central Wyoming
Item
view first image of Migration patterns of adult female mule deer in response to energy development
Migration patterns of adult female mule deer in response to energy development
Type:Article
Subject:Migration
Mule deer
Parturition
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Oil and gas development
Northwest Colorado
South-central Wyoming
Description:Migration is an adaptive strategy that enables animals to enhance resource availability and reduce risk of predation at a broad geographic scale. Ungulate migrations generally occur along traditional routes, many of which have been disrupted by anthropogenic disturbances. Spring migration in ungulates is of particular importance for conservation planning because it is closely coupled with timing of parturition. The degree to which oil and gas development affects migratory patterns, and whether ungulate migration is sufficiently prepared to compensate for such changes, has recently been investigated in Colorado and Wyoming (Lendrum et al. 2012, 2013; Sawyer et al. 2012).Lendrum et al. (2012, 2013) and Sawyer et al. (2012) address mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) migration patterns in relation to energy development from northwest Colorado and south-central Wyoming, respectively. We address results from the Colorado and Wyoming studies and then compare similarities and differences. Management and conservation implications are proposed for consideration and future investigation. [show more]
ID: Mitigating Impacts of Energy Development on Piceance Basin Mule Deer Populations
Mitigating Impacts of Energy Development on Piceance Basin Mule Deer Populations
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Mitigating Impacts of Energy Development on Piceance Basin Mule Deer Populations
Mitigating Impacts of Energy Development on Piceance Basin Mule Deer Populations
Description:

Lead ResearcherChuck Anderson

Study AreaPiceance Basin — located between the cities of Rangely, Meeker and Rifle in northwest Colorado.

Project StatusCompleted: Final progress report

Research Objectives

  • To determine the effects of energy development on mule deer behavior and population trends.
  • To determine if habitat improvements benefit mule deer populations exposed to energy development activities.
  • To identify energy development practices that will minimize impacts to mule deer populations. ​​

Project Description

Energy development in western Colorado has the potential to negatively impact mule deer populations. These impacts include habitat fragmentation and destruction, increased deer-vehicle collisions, increased noise levels, and more. Thus, this project aims to identify habitat improvements and energy development practices that will sustain mule deer populations for future recreational and ecological values.

Researchers selected the Piceance Basin as the project's study area because the basin contains some of the largest natural gas reserves in North America. Piceance is also home to one of Colorado's most important mule deer populations.

During this long-term project, researchers will track mule deer habitat use and behavior, observe animal health throughout the winter season, monitor fawn survival and estimate mule deer populations in the study area. Finally, researchers will determine the success of different habitat improvements in reducing disturbances caused by energy development and in improving winter condition of mule deer.

The results of this project will show wildlife managers and energy developers if it is ecologically and financially valuable to mitigate disturbances in highly developed areas versus focusing efforts in nearby less or non-impacted areas.

Collaborators for this multi-million dollar project include BLM, Colorado State University, Idaho State University, and multiple energy corporations and sportspeople's organizations.

Resources:

 [show more]
ID: Modeling elk-to-livestock transmission risk to predict hotspots of brucellosis spillover
Modeling elk-to-livestock transmission risk to predict hotspots of brucellosis spillover
Type: Article
Subjects: Brucella abortus
Cervus canadensis
Cross-species pathogen spillover
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Habitat selection
Human-wildlife conflict
Resource selection function
Wildlife disease
Item
view first image of Modeling elk-to-livestock transmission risk to predict hotspots of brucellosis spillover
Modeling elk-to-livestock transmission risk to predict hotspots of brucellosis spillover
Type:Article
Subject:Brucella abortus
Cervus canadensis
Cross-species pathogen spillover
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Habitat selection
Human-wildlife conflict
Resource selection function
Wildlife disease
Description:Wildlife reservoirs of infectious disease are a major source of human-wildlife conflict because of the risk of potential spillover associated with commingling of wildlife and livestock. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the presence of brucellosis (Brucella abortus) in free-ranging elk (Cervus canadensis) populations is of significant management concern because of the risk of disease transmission from elk to livestock. We identified how spillover risk changes through space and time by developing resource selection functions using telemetry data from 223 female elk to predict the relative probability of female elk occurrence daily during the transmission risk period. We combined these spatiotemporal predictions with elk seroprevalence, demography, and transmission timing data to identify when and where abortions (the primary transmission route of brucellosis) were most likely to occur. Additionally, we integrated our predictions of transmission risk with spatiotemporal data on areas of potential livestock use to estimate the daily risk to livestock. We predicted that approximately half of the transmission risk occurred on areas where livestock may be present (i.e., private property or grazing allotments). Of the transmission risk that occurred in livestock areas, 98% of it was on private ranchlands as opposed to state or federal grazing allotments. Disease prevalence, transmission timing, host abundance, and host distribution were all important factors in determining the potential for spillover risk. Our fine-resolution (250-m spatial, 1-day temporal), large-scale (17,732 km2) predictions of potential elk-to-livestock transmission risk provide wildlife and livestock managers with a useful tool to identify higher risk areas in space and time and proactively focus actions in these areas to separate elk and livestock to reduce spillover risk. [show more]
ID: Modeling large-scale winter recreation terrain selection with implications for recreation management and wildlife
Modeling large-scale winter recreation terrain selection with implications for recreation management and wildlife
Type: Article
Subjects: GPS tracking
Habitat models
Interpersonal conflict
Motorized recreation
Non-motorized recreation
Recreation planning
Item
view first image of Modeling large-scale winter recreation terrain selection with implications for recreation management and wildlife
Modeling large-scale winter recreation terrain selection with implications for recreation management and wildlife
Type:Article
Subject:GPS tracking
Habitat models
Interpersonal conflict
Motorized recreation
Non-motorized recreation
Recreation planning
Description:Winter recreation is a rapidly growing activity, and advances in technology make it possible for increasing numbers of people to access remote backcountry terrain. Increased winter recreation may lead to more frequent conflict between recreationists, as well as greater potential disturbance to wildlife. To better understand the environmental characteristics favored by winter recreationists, and thus predict areas of potential conflict or disturbance, we modeled terrain selection of motorized and non-motorized recreationists, including snowmobile, backcountry ski, and snowmobile-assisted hybrid ski. We used sports recorder Global Positioning System (GPS) devices carried by recreationists at two study areas in Colorado, USA, (Vail Pass and the San Juan Mountains), to record detailed tracks of each recreation type. For each recreation activity, we modeled selection of remotely-sensed environmental characteristics, including topography, vegetation, climate, and road access. We then created spatial maps depicting areas that recreation activities were predicted to select and combined these maps to show areas of potential ecological disturbance or interpersonal conflict between motorized and non-motorized activities. Model results indicate that motorized and non-motorized activities select different environmental characteristics, while still exhibiting some similarities, such as selection for ease of access, reflected in proximity to highways and densities of open forest roads. Areas predicted to have only motorized recreation were more likely to occur further from highways, with greater forest road densities, lower canopy cover, and smoother, less steep terrain, while areas with only non-motorized recreation were closer to highways, with lower forest road densities, more canopy cover and steeper terrain. Our work provides spatially detailed insights into terrain characteristics favored by recreationists, allowing managers to maintain winter recreation opportunities while reducing interpersonal conflict or ecological impacts to sensitive wildlife. [show more]
ID: Monitoring Fisheries Response to Aquatic Habitat Restoration
Monitoring Fisheries Response to Aquatic Habitat Restoration
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Monitoring Fisheries Response to Aquatic Habitat Restoration<br />
Monitoring Fisheries Response to Aquatic Habitat Restoration
Description:

Led By

Matt Kondratieff​ and Eric Richer ​

Study Area

Wason and La Garita Ranches, Rio Grande River

Project Status

Ongoing

Research Objectives

  • To determine how fish and aquatic invertebrates respond to different stream habitat restoration approaches
  • To evaluate if stream habitat restoration is an effective management technique

Project Description

Human-caused habitat changes and non-native species result in the degradation and pollution of Colorado's streams and rivers. Fortunately, stream restoration efforts show promise as a means to aid species recovery, improve inland water quality and create new areas for wildlife habitat and recreational activities. Over the years, the U.S. has seen billions of dollars poured into stream and river restoration projects. However, very few of these projects actually included monitoring components after the project was completed. Without any form of assessment, researchers cannot determine the overall success and effectiveness of stream and river restoration.

In 2006, the Wason Ranch completed a large-scale habitat improvement project on approximately 3.8 miles of the Rio Grande River. Historic cattle grazing, logging and mining activities had eroded stream banks and degraded instream habitat, leading to a decline in the fishery. Goals for the project included: (1) stabilize eroding stream banks, (2) restore river depths to previous conditions, (3) restore the river channel and adjacent banks to pre-cattle grazing conditions, and (4) reestablish riparian vegetation. The overarching objective of the project was to increase trout density, biomass, and abundance of quality-sized fish (14 inches and larger).

CPW initiated a long-term monitoring project to assess the fishery responses to stream habitat restoration on the Wason Ranch. Researchers are monitoring changes in the quantity and quality of trout, as well as densities of aquatic invertebrates. Resear​ch findings will generate useful information for determining the degree of fishery improvement that can be expected from stream restoration projects. Results will also be used to refine future habitat restoration techniques to benefit both trout fisheries and anglers. ​

Associated Publications

Kondratieff, M.C. 2012. Stream Habitat Investigations and Assistance, Job Progress Report. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins, Colorado. 65 pp.​

Kondratieff, M.C. and E.E. Richer. 2014. Stream Habitat Investigations and Assistance, Job Progress Report. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins, Colorado. 68 pp. [show more]
ID: Moose
Moose
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Moose
Moose
Description:

CPW website species profile: MooseAfter successful reintroduction efforts, Colorado’s Shiras moose​​ population exceeds 2,000 animals statewide. With stable to increasing and spatially expanding populations, moose can now be hunted in the state during regulated seasons. In order to make informed licensing decisions, wildlife managers need adequate and reliable data on moose populations in the state.

Moose Research Projects:

 [show more]
ID: Moose calf detection probabilities: quantification and evaluation of a ground-based survey technique
Moose calf detection probabilities: quantification and evaluation of a ground-based survey technique
Type: Article
Subjects: Alces alces
Colorado
Detection probability
Ground-surveys
Moose
Occupancy models
Item
view first image of Moose calf detection probabilities: quantification and evaluation of a ground-based survey technique
Moose calf detection probabilities: quantification and evaluation of a ground-based survey technique
Type:Article
Subject:Alces alces
Colorado
Detection probability
Ground-surveys
Moose
Occupancy models
Description:Survey data improve population management, yet those data often have associated bias. We quantified one source of bias in moose survey data (observer detection probability, p), by using repeated ground-observations of calves-at-heel of radio-collared moose in Colorado, USA. Detection probabilities, which varied both spatially and temporally, were estimated using an occupancy-modelling framework. We provide an efficient offset for modelled calf-at-heel occupancy (ψ) estimates that accommodates summer calf mortality. Detection probabilities were most efficiently modelled with seasonal variation, with the lowest probability of detecting calves-at-heel occurring during parturition (i.e. May) and later autumn periods (after August). Our most efficiently modelled detection probability estimate for summer was 0.80 (SE = 0.05). During the four years of this study, ψ estimates ranged from 0.54–0.84 (SE = 0.08–0.11). Accounting for 91.7% monthly calf survival corrected ψ estimates downward (ψ = 0.42–0.65). Our results suggest that repeated ground-based observations of individual cow moose, during summer months, can be can a cost-effective strategy for estimating a productivity parameter for moose. Ground survey results can be further improved by accounting for calf mortality. [show more]
ID: Moose Reintroduction Fact Sheet (2013)
Moose Reintroduction Fact Sheet (2013)
Type: Fact Sheet
Subjects: Moose
<em>Alces alces</em>
Wildlife management
Item
view first image of Moose Reintroduction Fact Sheet (2013)
Moose Reintroduction Fact Sheet (2013)
Type:Fact Sheet
Subject:Moose
<em>Alces alces</em>
Wildlife management
Description:Moose, (Alces alces), are the largest members of the deer family and are found in the northern regions of North America, Europe and Asia. Moose prefer habitat near lakes, rivers or wetlands, where they feed on young plants including shrubs, aquatic plants, grasses, mosses, willow, and aspen. [show more]
ID: Mortality of mule deer fawns in a natural gas development area
Mortality of mule deer fawns in a natural gas development area
Type: Article
Subjects: Anthropogenic disturbances
Colorado
Mule deer
Natural gas development
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Population dynamics
Predation
Survival
Item
view first image of Mortality of mule deer fawns in a natural gas development area
Mortality of mule deer fawns in a natural gas development area
Type:Article
Subject:Anthropogenic disturbances
Colorado
Mule deer
Natural gas development
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Population dynamics
Predation
Survival
Description:Recent natural gas development has caused concern among wildlife managers, researchers, and stakeholders over the potential effects on wildlife and their habitats. Specifically, understanding how this development and other factors influence mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawn (i.e., 0–6 months old) mortality rates, recruitment, and subsequently population dynamics have been identified as knowledge gaps. Thus, we tested predictions concerning the relationship between natural gas development, adult female, fawn birth, and temporal (weather) characteristics on fawn mortality in the Piceance Basin of northwestern Colorado, USA, from 2012–2014. We captured and radio-collared 184 fawns and estimated apparent cause-specific mortality in areas with relatively high or low levels of natural gas development using a multi-state model. Mean daily predation probability was similar in the high versus low development areas. Predation was the leading cause of fawn mortality in both areas and decreased from 0–14 days old. Black bear (Ursus americanus; 22% of all mortalities, n = 17) and cougar (Felis concolor; 36% of all mortalities, n = 6) predation was the leading cause of mortality in the high and low development areas, respectively. Predation of fawns was negatively correlated with the distance from a female's core area to a producing well pad on winter or summer range. Contrary to expectations, predation of fawns was positively correlated with rump fat thickness of adult females. Well pad densities and development activity were relatively low during our study, indicating that the observed intensity of development did not appear to influence daily predation probability. Our results suggest maintaining development activity thresholds at levels we observed to potentially minimize the effects of development on fawn mortality. However, we caution that higher development intensity and drilling activity in flatter, less rugged areas with less concealment cover could influence fawn mortality. Managers should maintain low development densities in areas where topography and vegetation offer less concealment. Overall, region-specific data (e.g., development intensity, topography, predator assemblages, and associated predation risk) are needed to better understand the effects of natural gas development on fawn mortality. [show more]