Management of the Kaibab Plateau bison herd in Grand Canyon National Park: 2018–2019 operations report

Terwilliger, Miranda; Hartway, Cynthia; Schoenecker, Kate A.; Holm, Gregory W; Zeigenfuss, Linda C.; Swan, Megan; Salganek, D. Skye; Buttke, Danielle; Musto, Dana

doi:10.36967/nrr-2278108

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…The AGFD manages plains bison (Bison bison bison) as a wildlife species within the KNF, whereas hunting is not permitted in GRCA. Bison first started moving to the Kaibab Plateau from the House Rock Wilderness Area in the late 1990s and became full time residents by 2010 (AGFD, 2022;Terwilliger et al, 2020). The bison population was estimated at 175-509 in 2019, 285-365 in 2020, 296-483 in 2021, and 187-313 in 2022.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plains bison (Bison bison bison) are large grazers that currently inhabit the Kaibab Plateau of Arizona, USA, specifically on the north rim. Bison were not historically abundant in this ecosystem; itis considered the edge of historic range (Gates et al, 2010;Plumb et al, 2016;Plumb & McMullen, 2018), but they have persisted since 1926 when a small herd was acquired by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) and managed as a game species with annual harvests (Plumb et al, 2016;Terwilliger et al, 2020). Current law prohibits hunting in National Parks unless specified by statute, but hunting is permitted on the adjacent United States Forest Service lands within KNF (Figure 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using integrated step selection to determine effects of predation risk on bison habitat selection and movement

Salganek,

Schoenecker,

Terwilliger

2024

Ecosphere

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Animal movement is a fundamental mechanism that shapes communities and ecosystems. Ungulates alter the ecosystems they inhabit and understanding their movements and distribution is critical for linking habitat with population dynamics. Predation risk has been shown to strongly influence ungulate movement patterns, such that ungulates may select habitat where predation risk is lower (refugia), adjust movement rates, temporal patterns, or selection of cover variables in areas with greater predation risk. We evaluated potential predation avoidance behavior in a population of plains bison inhabiting the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) and adjacent Kaibab National Forest (KNF). The KNF has year‐round hunting managed by Arizona Game and Fish Department, whereas hunting is not allowed in GRCA. Human‐maintained water sources on the KNF are particularly important resources for bison wherein they may be exposed to higher predation risk to access these resources. We used 2‐h GPS locations for three years from 31 bison (n = 9 males; n = 22 females), and integrative step selection analysis to test four hypotheses about the potential for bison to reduce their risk from human predation by avoiding areas of high predation risk; moving faster in areas with high predation risk; entering high‐risk areas at night when risk is reduced; and entering high‐risk areas in habitats that provide cover (coniferous forest). The highest performing model indicated bison movement was 1.3 times faster per 2‐h step interval than in areas with no hunting across all vegetation classes (coniferous forest, shrub, quaking aspen, grass‐forb meadow) and across all topography classes (valley, slope, ridge). Bison moved more slowly in grass‐forb meadows than all other vegetation types, and in valleys relative to slopes and ridges. Several radio‐collared individuals had no GPS locations in KNF for the duration of the study. Bison avoided predation risk using two strategies: moving faster while in the KNF, and fully avoiding high‐risk areas by remaining within GRCA. Management that manipulates or reduces timing of hunting seasons may reduce perceived predation risk and encourage bison to distribute into the KNF and across a broader range of available habitat.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using integrated step selection to determine effects of predation risk on bison habitat selection and movement

Salganek,

Schoenecker,

Terwilliger

2024

Ecosphere

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“…Indeed, bison grazing has been linked to degraded riparian habitat within the park [ 14 ]. All agencies agree that too many bison are currently on the park landscape; they are actively working to reduce the population through various means [ 15 , 16 ]. Consequently, an accurate population estimate is critical to determining the success of herd-reduction activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Aerial Thermal Infrared Imagery and Helicopter Surveys of Bison (Bison bison) in Grand Canyon National Park, USA

Hennig

Schoenecker

Terwilliger

et al. 2021

Sensors

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Aerial thermal infrared (TIR) surveys are an attractive option for estimating abundances of large mammals inhabiting extensive and heterogeneous terrain. Compared to standard helicopter or fixed-wing aerial surveys, TIR flights can be conducted at higher altitudes translating into greater spatial coverage and increased observer safety; however, monetary costs are much greater. Further, there is no consensus on whether TIR surveys offer improved detection. Consequently, we performed a study to compare results of a TIR and helicopter survey of bison (Bison bison) on the Powell Plateau in Grand Canyon National Park, USA. We also compared results of both surveys to estimates obtained using a larger dataset of bison helicopter detections along the entire North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Observers in the TIR survey counted fewer individual bison than helicopter observers (101 to 127) and the TIR survey cost was 367% higher. Additionally, the TIR estimate was 18.8% lower than the estimate obtained using a larger dataset, while the comparative helicopter survey was 9.3% lower. Despite our small sample size, we found that helicopter surveys are currently the best method for estimating bison abundances in dense canopy cover sites due to ostensibly more accurate estimates and lower cost compared to TIR surveys. Additional research will be needed to evaluate the efficacy of these methods, as well as very high resolution satellite imagery, for bison populations in more open landscapes.

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Management of the Kaibab Plateau bison herd in Grand Canyon National Park: 2018–2019 operations report

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Using integrated step selection to determine effects of predation risk on bison habitat selection and movement

Using integrated step selection to determine effects of predation risk on bison habitat selection and movement

Comparison of Aerial Thermal Infrared Imagery and Helicopter Surveys of Bison (Bison bison) in Grand Canyon National Park, USA

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