Seasonal shifts in habitat selection of a large herbivore and the influence of human activity

摘要: Failure to recognize factors contributing variation in habitat models like resource selection functions (RSFs) can affect their application for projecting probabilities of occurrence, and thereby limit relevance conservation management. We compared seasonal RSFs (2006–2008) 16 adult female moose (Alces alces) with home ranges located western Algonquin Provincial Park (APP), Ontario, Canada, those 14 females provincial Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 49, 40 km west the protected area. management practices differed between regions: hunting was higher WMU 49 APP, APP preserved large tracts old growth forest rarely found 49. Seasonal projected expected similarities use regions (e.g., responses wetlands stands eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis [in winter]); however, we also observed differences consistent hypothesis that animals, through effects hunting, would shift seasonally response roads. further evidence functional due underlying forestry old-growth hemlock forest). Given close proximity shared biogeographic region study areas, believe spatial dynamics were ultimately reflective divergent strategies areas ensuing predation mortality risk, habitat.