Diet and habitat selection of an erupting wood bison population
department or school: Science, Faculty of
department or school: Zoology, Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Larter, Nicholas C.
issued: 2010-08-30T23:09:22Z
issued: 1988
related degree: Master of Science - MSc
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: In this study I examine diet and habitat selection of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, Northwest Territories. This reintroduced population has increased exponentially since 1963 (r=0.21), and represents the only free-ranging population in existence. A 1987 total count showed at least 1718 animals. The aims of the study were to: 1) determine changes in forage quality and forage quantity amongst the different habitats, 2) determine dietary components on a seasonal basis, 3) determine what biotic and abiotic factors affected habitat selection, and 4) determine home ranges and describe seasonal movement patterns as they relate to the changing distribution of forage. All forages except lichen demonstrated a linear decrease in percent nitrogen concentration and a linear increase in percent indigestible fiber concentration over the growing season. Lichen had consistentent low nitrogen and indigestible fiber concentrations. The ratio of percent nitrogen concentration to percent indigestible fiber concentration (N/ADF) was used as a measure of forage quality. Phalaris arundinacea and willow were better quality forages during summer, while lichen was a better quality forage in fall. The presence of alkaloids and silicates is proposed as the reason P. arundinacea is avoided by bison. Green biomass increased until mid-July, remained high until mid-August and decreased rapidly into September. Wet sedge meadows provided three times more green biomass than willow savannas, however wet sedge meadow forage was of inferior quality and was inaccessible. Forages from willow savannas and willow-aspen habitats were of consistently superior quality until fall when forested habitats provided superior quality forage, the most important of which was lichen. Willow savannas provided the highest available crude protein of all habitats during summer and fall. Wood bison were catholic feeders, and showed pronounced seasonal changes in diet. Sedges, especially…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/27976
note: DIET AND HABITAT SELECTION OF AN ERUPTING WOOD BISON POPULATION By NICHOLAS C. LARTER B.Sc's, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 1984 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Department of Zoology) We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA September 1988 © Nicholas C. Larter, 1988 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada DE-6 (2/88) ABSTRACT In this study I examine diet and habitat selection of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, Northwest Territories. This reintroduced population has increased exponentially since 1963 (r=0.21), and represents the only free-ranging population in existence. A 1987 total count showed at least 1718 animals. The aims of the study were to: 1) determine changes in forage quality and forage quantity amongst the different habitats, 2) determine dietary components on a seasonal basis, 3) determine what biotic and abiotic factors affected habitat selection, and 4) determine home ranges and describe seasonal movement patterns as they relate to the changing distribution of forage. All forages except lichen demonstrated a linear decrease in percent nitrogen concentration and a linear increase in percent indigestible fiber concentration over the growing season. Lichen had consistentent low nitrogen and indigestible fiber concentrations. The ra…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0097699
language: eng
degree discipline: Zoology
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/27976