Density-dependent habitat selection and partitioning between two sympatric ungulates

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Wildlife Management
• Behavioral Ecology

Background:

• Density-dependent habitat selection theory predicts shifts in habitat use with increasing population density.
• Habitat partitioning is crucial for species coexistence, but its evolution under varying densities is understudied in ungulates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically test density-dependent habitat selection theory in free-ranging moose (Alces alces) and elk (Cervus canadensis manitobensis).
• To investigate how population density influences landscape-scale habitat selection and partitioning between these two sympatric ungulate species.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resource-selection functions to quantify habitat selection patterns.
• Analyzed data from Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada (2000-2011).
• Monitored changes in moose and elk densities, including a reduction in elk density via hunting.

Main Results:

• Habitat selection patterns for both moose and elk shifted with changing intraspecific densities, aligning with density-dependent theory.
• At low densities, species selected primary mixed forest habitat but in different areas (elevational segregation).
• At higher densities, selection for primary habitat decreased, with increased use of secondary habitats (agricultural fields for elk, built-up areas for moose).

Conclusions:

• Habitat selection strategies and subsequent partitioning between moose and elk are strongly influenced by their respective population densities.
• The findings support density-dependent habitat selection theory and highlight its importance in understanding ungulate coexistence.