Drivers of spring migration phenology in Rocky Mountain elk.

ABSTRACT: By migrating, ungulates take advantage of cyclical fluctuations in resources, which allows them to persist at greater population numbers than they would in the absence of these seasonal movements. We sought to identify the drivers of spring elk (Cervus canadensis) migration and evaluate how well individuals were able to optimize access to forage prior to departure, while migrating, and upon arrival on summer range. Specifically, we investigated the timing and duration of spring migration in four Colorado elk herds to test how forage quality and snow dynamics pre-, during, and post-migration influenced elk departure from winter range and the length of time spent migrating. Our analyses revealed significant heterogeneity among and within herds. Overall, spatiotemporal dynamics in forage and

SUBMITTER: Crews S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11885600 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature