Habitat Use by 4 Sympatric Ungulates in Boreal Mixedwood Forest

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Abstract
Habitat use by moose (Alces alces), wapiti (Cervus canadensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and bison (Bison bison) during 1972-1973 was investigated in a fenced national park [Alberta, Canada]. Ungulates differed in use of habitat types in terms of time spent and kinds of winter activity. Bison and wapiti strongly selected upland grassland at all seasons. Moose preferred shrubland, and sedge meadow was a close 2nd during spring and summer. Deer preferred shrub meadow in spring, summer and, to a lesser extent, winter, when dense aspen (Populus tremuloides) forest was selected equally. Habitats selected for activity were not always those in which the most time was spent. Between 1948 and 1972, proportions of habitat types on the park showed a 10% decrease in shrub meadow; minor increases occurred in water area due to beavers (Castor canadensis) and in several terrestrial habitats.

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