Resource dependence analysis of home range quality for pronghorn in south-central New Mexico, USA

Bender, Louis C.; Hartsough, Matthew J.; Rodden, Cristina L.; Morrow, Patrick C.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2022.104907

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…In New Mexico, on the other hand, spatially explicit estimates of precipitation in summer and fall were all highly positively correlated with adult body condition (Bender and Rosas‐Rosas 2021). Home range size was related to simple characterization of vegetation types in the same area, presumably because of the varying levels of forb cover in these communities (Bender et al 2023). Migrating pronghorn may spend more energy seeking out higher quality forage than residents (Jones et al 2019, Jakes et al 2020).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contrasting management paradigms for pronghorn in the arid Southwest and their northern range: a review

Bean,

Butterfield,

Fiehler

et al. 2023

J Wildl Manag

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Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), a symbol of western North America, experienced diverging population trajectories since the mid‐twentieth century, with northern populations showing signs of recovery while those in the arid Southwest have struggled to persist. We conducted a systematic literature review of papers published through August 2023 to understand 3 questions. What are the habitat conditions needed for pronghorn to persist? What management actions can be taken to foster higher quality habitat? Do these actions differ for populations in the arid Southwest compared to their northern counterparts? Although the fundamental habitat requirements for pronghorn persistence have remained constant since the early 2000s, it has become clear that precipitation is a key factor influencing pronghorn populations in the arid Southwest. The precise mechanisms by which precipitation influences pronghorn population dynamics are not yet clear, whether through the availability of free water, by affecting forage quality, or indirectly via predator‐prey dynamics. Although range‐wide forage enhancement may be impractical, providing additional free water sources could facilitate greater movement, enabling pronghorn to access more and higher quality forage and areas with lower predation risk. To clarify how pronghorn persisted for thousands of years in this harsh environment, we must gain a better understanding of their historical metapopulation and migratory behaviors in the arid Southwest.

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