Response of bighorn sheep to clear-cut logging and prescribed burning
Wildlife Society Bulletin
By: T. S. Smith, P.J. Hardin, and J.T. Flinders
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Abstract
Prescribed burning and timber harvesting have been used to restore and maintain Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (avis canadensis) ranges. Intensive study of a bighorn sheep herd in northeastern Utah indicated a need for range improvements. To evaluate the effectiveness of clear-cut logging and prescribed burning, we documented sheep responses to these treatments. Although bighorn sheep exhibited strong fidelity to pre-treatment areas (P>0.05), they significantly altered use patterns to include logged and burned areas (P<0.001). Treated habitats experienced 148% increases in bighorn sheep activity, whereas use in untreated areas declined by 45%. Bighorn sheep responded more favorably to logged units than to burned areas. We conclude that carefully planned clear-cut logging and range burning may be effective to enhance and expand bighorn sheep populations.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Response of bighorn sheep to clear-cut logging and prescribed burning |
| Series title | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1999 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| First page | 840 |
| Last page | 845 |