Summer Forage and Feeding Site Selection by Elk

Abstract

The mechanisms involved in selecting forage and feeding sites by elk (Cervus elaphus) are poorly understood but have important implications for habitat management. During the summers of 1982 and 1983, we conducted a study in western Montana to determine the levels at which feeding site selection occurs by elk. We used stepwise discriminant analysis to test the hypothesis that availability of 16 forage species, used in >10% of the feeding sites, did not differ between feeding and random sites. Availability differed between feeding sites and random locations during early and late summer (P 3 levels of selection. Herbivores may select feeding sites from the available habitat based on abundance of preferred forage species (thirdorder selection). They may demonstrate fourthorder selection through preference for particular forage species at a feeding site, and fifth-order selection through preference for individual plants or particular portions of a plant. Our study was designed to determine if elk choose between feeding sites on the basis of forage species abundance, and if individual forage species are selected at feeding sites. We thank L. J. Lyon, B. W. O'Gara, W. L. Pengelly, D. H. Pletscher, and H. R. Zuuring for reviewing the manuscript, and G. J. Edge and M. G. Burcham for field assistance. Funding was provided by the U.S. Bureau Land Management, the McIntire-Stennis Federal Forestry Program, and Plum Creek Timber Company.