First Approximation of Habitat Selectivity of Ungulates on Extensive Winter Ranges

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Abstract
Eight annual winter aerial surveys of wapiti (Cervus elaphus) and 7 annual aerial surveys of moose (Alces alces) were made in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba [Canada]. The animals'' locations were plotted on a grid of 264 units of 10.4 km2 each. Four density classes were established for each species, and all grid units in each class were grouped. A vegetation cover map with 11 cover categories was overlain with a similar grid, and the area of each category was planimetrically determined for each grid unit. Preference for or rejection of the vegetation types was analyzed by ungulate density classes. Wapiti showed preference for grassland, shrubland and recent burns, and rejection of mixed forest of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)-white spruce (Picea glauca), white spruce, jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and bog communities. Moose showed preference for immature aspen forest and rejection of shrubland, white spruce and bog communities.

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