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Predicted daily elk distribution in southern GYE 2010, 2012, 2014

Dates

Publication Date
Time Period
2010
Time Period
2012
Time Period
2014

Citation

Merkle, J.A., Cross, P.C., Scurlock, B.M., Cole, E.K., Courtemanch, A.B., Dewey, S.R., Kauffman, M.J., and Szcodronski, K.E., 2017, Elk movement and predicted number of brucellosis-induced abortion events in the southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (1993-2015): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7474803.

Summary

Using data from 288 adult and yearling female elk that were captured on 22 Wyoming winter supplemental elk feedgrounds and monitored with GPS collars, we fit Step Selection Functions (SSFs) during the spring abortion season and then implemented a master equation approach to translate SSFs into predictions of daily elk distribution for 5 plausible winter weather scenarios (from a heavy snow, to an extreme winter drought year). Here we provide the predictions of elk space use on a daily basis at a 500m resolution for the 5 different weather scenarios: 1) low snowfall year (2010), 2) average snowfall year (2012), 3) high snowfall year (2014), 4) hypothetical early snowmelt climate change scenario where spring green up started, snow melt [...]

Contacts

Point of Contact :
Paul C Cross
Process Contact :
Jerod A Merkle
Originator :
Jerod A Merkle
Metadata Contact :
Paul C Cross
Publisher :
U.S. Geological Survey
Distributor :
GS ScienceBase

Attached Files

Click on title to download individual files attached to this item.

elk_days_scenario_2010_0days.zip 84.28 MB application/zip
elk_days_scenario_2010_14days.zip 94.88 MB application/zip
elk_days_scenario_2010_28days.zip 105.25 MB application/zip
elk_days_scenario_2012_0days.zip 80.87 MB application/zip
elk_days_scenario_2014_0days.zip 66.94 MB application/zip

Purpose

These data were collected to assess the risk of brucellosis transmission between elk and cattle in this system. One of the major issues in assessing risk is understanding and predicting the space use of elk and how that is a function of weather conditions. Elk space use studies and how they may change over time are appropriate uses of the data. Actual brucellosis risk to cattle may change over time as elk populations and disease prevalence varies. The predictions we provide are based on data collected up to 2015, but may not be accurate as conditions change over time.

Additional Information

Identifiers

Type Scheme Key
DOI https://www.sciencebase.gov/vocab/category/item/identifier doi:10.5066/F7474803

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