Habitat selection by female moose in the Canadian prairie ecozone

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe combined effects of global climate change and shifting patterns in land use have resulted in range shifts for many wildlife species, as favorable conditions have been created for species entering novel environments. Moose (Alces alces) are a forest specialist species but have recently expanded southward from their traditional range in the boreal and aspen parkland forests into the agriculture‐dominated landscape of the Prairie Pothole Region in western Canada. We quantified habitat selection patterns for moose in an agriculture‐dominated landscape in south‐central Saskatchewan, Canada. We fitted 15 adult female moose with global positioning system collars and generated resource selection functions for summer (Jul–Sep) and winter (Dec–Feb). Our goal was to describe seasonal habitat selection patterns for moose using farmland. We buffered used and available locations by 100 m and quantified land cover types within buffers. To account for nonlinear habitat selection, we generated models with quadratic (squared) land cover terms. We found strong selection by moose for wetland and forest land cover types, a nonlinear selection of cereals with highest selection occurring at an intermediate percentage of cereals, and an avoidance of pulses (peas, beans, and lentils) in both seasons. Oilseeds were weakly selected in summer and weakly avoided in winter. Developed areas were avoided in both seasons. Our results suggest that moose select woody and tree‐ringed wetlands for foraging and lay down in the wetlands or use the associated shade as thermoregulatory cover. The selection of these wetlands suggests a possible explanation for the successful expansion of moose into the Prairie Pothole Region. Consumption of crops by native ungulates is a cause for concern for local agricultural producers, with damage by moose increasing in south‐central Saskatchewan. Our results have important management implications for managing human–wildlife conflict with wild ungulates in a novel ecosystem, with fenced exclosures around wetlands offering a potential solution to areas faced with extensive moose crop damage. The strong selection of wetland and forest land cover types emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts for the remaining wetlands and riparian buffers in the agriculture‐dominated Prairie Pothole Region. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.