Blue Mountains Elk Nutrition and Habitat Models

Project Description

Overview

Elk habitat modeling map.

Scientists from state, federal, private, and tribal entities, led by the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service, have developed new elk nutrition and habitat use models for management application in Oregon and Washington.

These next-generation models:

• Reflect key research findings from the last two decades, especially about elk nutrition and foraging dynamics;
• Include both a nutrition and habitat use component;
• Use innovative approaches, combined with large radiotelemetry data sets from global positioning system collars, to predict where elk will occur across large landscapes;
• Can benefit land management planning, habitat management, and restoration for elk across all land ownerships in Oregon and Washington; and
• Specifically target summer range habitat conditions, often a key driver of elk productivity.

The elk modeling project is being conducted in two phases. The first phase entailed development of “Westside” models that apply to elk in western Oregon and Washington (see map). The second phase addresses the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon and Washington.

Recognizing the complex topography, climate, and vegetation communities in eastern Oregon and Washington, the modeling team developed nutrition and habitat use models for the Blue Mountains region (see map). Unlike the Westside models, the Blues models were developed and tested with data restricted to August, a period when nutritional conditions can be severely limiting in the drier eastside habitats. The modeling team presented results at two workshops, held in Pendleton, Oregon in 2012 and 2013.

However, feedback from model users revealed that applying the models consistently was difficult, primarily due to the road-branching methods used to characterize open roads. This common problem, coupled with the availability of new elk telemetry data sets from Mt. Emily and Antelope Ridge, prompted the modeling team to revisit the Blue Mountains models.  A new nutrition model has been developed for the Blues, with more management application than the prior model. The team is now completing development of the revised Blue Mountains habitat use model, using the more complete telemetry data and evaluating several new model covariates, such as metrics of elk security.  Model completion and beta-testing are planned for fall 2017.

Implementation

Model Users and Intended Audience: Wildlife biologists, vegetation ecologists, conservation planners, land managers and planners from federal and state agencies, Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and private industry.

Workshops: 2013 Workshop and 2012 Workshop

Related Projects: 

• Elk Nutrition and Habitat-Use Models for Western Oregon and Washington
• The Starkey Project