Factors influencing the reaction of mountain goats towards all‐terrain vehicles

St-Louis, Antoine; Hamel, Sandra; Mainguy, Julien; Côté, Steeve D.

doi:10.1002/jwmg.488

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…We used a two-stage process to evaluate extrinsic and intrinsic factors that were related to patterns of migration, (sensu [12], [34]). We examined extrinsic and intrinsic explanatory variables in a 2-step process because we were interested in evaluating the effects environmental variables would have on patterns of migration at the population level, and then how those patterns might be modified by intrinsic variables, which were more specific to each individual.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migrating Mule Deer: Effects of Anthropogenically Altered Landscapes

et al. 2013

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BackgroundMigration 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 FindingsWe 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/SignificanceTiming 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.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migrating Mule Deer: Effects of Anthropogenically Altered Landscapes

et al. 2013

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“…While helicopter overflights represent one type of disturbance associated with mining activity in our study area other potential types of disturbance include blasting, heavy equipment, and mill site machinery operation. Because blasting and mechanized human travel have also been documented to alter mountain goat behavior and population dynamics (Joslin 1986, St-Louis et al 2013, it is unclear what types of disturbance were most relevant to the observed patterns of habitat avoidance. As such, we concluded that the cumulative disturbance associated with mining activity is responsible for the observed pattern.…”

Section: Mountain Goat Resource Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have documented negative effects of human and industrial disturbance on mountain goat foraging behavior, movement patterns and population dynamics (Foster and Rahs 1983, Joslin 1986, Côté 1996, Goldstein et al 2005, Côté et al 2013, St-Louis et al 2013, Richard and Côté 2016. In this context carefully understanding and, potentially, mitigating human and industrial disturbance in areas inhabited by mountain goats is important for ensuring sustainable mountain goat populations.…”

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confidence: 99%

Mountain goat survival in coastal Alaska: Effects of age, sex, and climate

et al. 2011

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Ecological theory predicts that individual survival should vary between sex and age categories due to differences in allocation of nutritional resources for growth and reproductive activities. During periods of environmental stress, such relationships may be exacerbated, and affect sex and age classes differently. We evaluated support for hypotheses about the relative roles of sex, age, and winter and summer climate on the probability of mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) survival in coastal Alaska. Specifically, we used known‐fates analyses (Program MARK) to model the effects of age, sex, and climatic variation on survival using data collected from 279 radio‐marked mountain goats (118 M, 161 F) in 9 separate study areas during 1977–2008. Models including age, sex, winter snowfall, and average daily summer temperature (during Jul–Aug) best explained variation in survival probability of mountain goats. Specifically, our findings revealed that old animals (9+ yr) have lower survival than younger animals. In addition, males tended to have lower survival than females, though differences only existed among prime‐aged adult (5–8 yr) and old (9+ yr) age classes. Winter climate exerted the strongest effects on mountain goat survival; summer climate, however, was significant and principally influenced survival during the following winter via indirect effects. Furthermore, old animals were more sensitive to the effects of winter conditions than young or prime‐aged animals. These findings detail how climate interacts with sex and age characteristics to affect mountain goat survival. Critically, we provide baseline survival rate statistics across various age, sex, and climate scenarios. These data will assist conservation and management of mountain goats by enabling detailed, model‐based demographic forecasting of human and/or climate‐based population impacts. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

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“…In most cases, disturbance impacts are thought to be additive for mountain goats and result in significant changes of behavior, space use, and population dynamics (Foster and Rahs , Joslin ). Mountain goats appear to change their spatial distribution and increase alertness when facing various anthropogenic activities: aircraft flights (Côté , Gordon and Reynolds , Côté et al ), seismic exploration (Joslin ), industrial development (Foster and Rahs ), road traffic (Singer ), all‐terrain vehicles (St‐Louis et al ), and human confrontation (Foster and Rahs ). Buffer areas of 1.5 km to 2.0 km have been used to limit the impact of helicopter and industrial activities on mountain goats (Foster and Rahs , Côté , Mountain Goat Management Team , Cadsand ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Any recreational activity occurring in areas inaccessible to motorized traffic may result in disturbance potentially causing displacement of mountain goats (Mountain Goat Management Team ). Therefore, where recreation and mountain goat habitat overlap, it is important to understand the relationship between them for managed coexistence (Foster and Rahs , Côté et al , St‐Louis et al ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Space use analyses suggest avoidance of a ski area by mountain goats

Richard

Côté

2015

Jour. Wild. Mgmt.

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The development of recreational activities imposes growing anthropogenic pressure on wilderness areas worldwide. Because anthropogenic disturbances may modify wildlife use of habitat, space use studies may be useful to identify wildlife response to recreational activities. Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances and are thus likely to modify their space use in response to recreational activities. From 2011 to 2013, we studied space use of mountain goats in Jasper National Park, Canada, one of the most popular wilderness areas in North America, and assessed how it was influenced by an alpine ski area. Comparison of predicted use from habitat selection models and observed use defined by global positioning system collar data revealed ski area avoidance. The immediate surroundings of the ski area were, however, not avoided by mountain goats, but the presence of a natural salt lick <1 km from the ski area may have contributed to the observed mountain goat use of these areas. Ski activities have the potential to exclude mountain goats from habitat with otherwise high probability of use. Thus, we recommend that future ski area developments generally consider the behavior of species sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances and that construction should not occur in habitat essential for sensitive species like mountain goats. Ó 2015 The Wildlife Society.

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Factors influencing the reaction of mountain goats towards all‐terrain vehicles

Cited by 18 publications

References 17 publications

Migrating Mule Deer: Effects of Anthropogenically Altered Landscapes

Migrating Mule Deer: Effects of Anthropogenically Altered Landscapes

Mountain goat survival in coastal Alaska: Effects of age, sex, and climate

Space use analyses suggest avoidance of a ski area by mountain goats

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