MODELING PLANT SPECIES DISTRIBUTIONS ACROSS IDAHO TO INFORM UNGULATE NUTRITION
Ball, Tara M.. (2018-05). MODELING PLANT SPECIES DISTRIBUTIONS ACROSS IDAHO TO INFORM UNGULATE NUTRITION. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/ball_idaho_0089n_11300.html
- Title:
- MODELING PLANT SPECIES DISTRIBUTIONS ACROSS IDAHO TO INFORM UNGULATE NUTRITION
- Author:
- Ball, Tara M.
- Date:
- 2018-05
- Program:
- Natural Resources
- Subject Category:
- Environmental science; Wildlife management
- Abstract:
-
Abstract
Mechanisms driving ungulate population declines are complex and poorly understood. Limitations in forage availability or quality may be contributing, but current habitat assessments lack fine-scale vegetation information needed to evaluate nutrition. To fill this gap, I developed predictive distribution models for ungulate forage species across Idaho using existing vegetation surveys, maps, and remotely-sensed data. Models predict plant species presence, and provide key insight to species-environment relationships that can aide habitat management strategies to improve nutritional quality. Additionally, I examined elk habitat selection on a summer range in north-central Idaho. Selection was influenced by the presence of herbaceous plant species and wildfire disturbance. Management strategies that re-open matured forest canopies that currently limit herbaceous understory vegetation will be useful for enhancing the nutritional quality of elk summer habitat. Considerations for non-native plant infestations in areas of highly recurrent and severe wildfires will also be important.
- Description:
- masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-05
- Major Professor:
- Strand, Eva K
- Committee:
- Aycrigg, Jocelyn L; Johnson, Timothy R
- Defense Date:
- 2018-05
- Identifier:
- Ball_idaho_0089N_11300
- Type:
- Text
- Format Original:
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Rights:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted. For more information, please contact University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives Department at libspec@uidaho.edu.
- Standardized Rights:
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/