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Prey risk allocation in a grazing ecosystem.

Justin A Gude1, Robert A Garrott, John J Borkowski

  • 1Ecology Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA. justin_gude@fws.gov

Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America
|May 19, 2006
PubMed
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Predators like wolves do not significantly alter elk herd sizes, but influence their distribution. This dynamic distribution may reduce foraging pressure on plants in frequently hunted areas.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Wildlife Management

Background:

  • Understanding predator-prey interactions is crucial for ecosystem dynamics, particularly indirect effects mediated by prey behavior.
  • Quantifying how predators influence ungulate group size and distribution, alongside other factors, is needed in predator-ungulate-plant systems.
  • The risk allocation hypothesis suggests prey behavior adapts to predation risk based on exposure frequency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify non-predation variables influencing elk (Cervus elaphus) group size and distribution on winter ranges.
  • To evaluate the risk allocation hypothesis regarding elk responses to wolf (Canis lupus) predation risk.
  • To assess how wolf predation risk affects elk distribution and subsequent impacts on plant communities.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Conducted surveys across 513 1-km2 areas over two years in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE).
  • Utilized logistic and log-linear regression to analyze elk group size and distribution data.
  • Employed model selection to test the risk allocation hypothesis against other a priori hypotheses, controlling for non-wolf predation variables.

Main Results:

  • Wolf presence showed little effect on elk group sizes, which were primarily influenced by habitat type and human hunting.
  • Elk exhibited more dynamic distribution patterns in areas frequently patrolled by wolves, aligning with the risk allocation hypothesis.
  • Wolf-induced shifts in elk distribution are predicted to dilute foraging pressure and reduce spatial heterogeneity of impacts on grasslands.

Conclusions:

  • Habitat and human hunting are stronger drivers of elk group size than wolf predation.
  • Wolves indirectly influence plant communities by altering elk distribution and foraging patterns in frequently hunted zones.
  • Findings support the risk allocation hypothesis and suggest wolves can mitigate localized overgrazing in the GYE.