Summer Habitat Selection by Elk in Western Montana: A Multivariate Approach

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Abstract
A study to identify the important components of elk (Cervus elaphus) habitat, through discriminant comparisons of elk-selected and randon habitat samples, was conducted between mid-June and mid-October 1982 and 1983. Seventeen variables were measured from aerial photographs, maps, or in 375-m2 plots for 354 radio-monitored and 172 random locations. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to test the hypothesis of equal mean vectors between monthly elk locations and random sites. Elk locations differed between months and from random locations (P < 0.01). the most important variables were slope, the amount of foraging area within 200 m of each location, and distance to open roads and human disturbance. Site-specific habitat characteristics were not apparent in the data because elk made broad use of available habitats. Summer-long habitat for elk can be evaluated from maps and aerial photographs.

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