| Abstract: | Wind-power development is occurring throughout North America, but its effects on mammals are largely unexplored. Our objective was to determine response (i.e., home-range, diet quality) of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) to wind-power development in southwestern Oklahoma. Ten elk were radiocollared in an area of wind-power development on 31 March 2003 and were relocated bi-weekly through March 2005. Wind-power construction was initiated on 1 June 2003 and was completed by December 2003 with 45 active turbines. The largest composite home range sizes (>80 km2) occurred April-June and September, regardless of the status of wind-power facility development. The smallest home range sizes (<50 km2) typically occurred in October-February when elk aggregated to forage on winter wheat. No elk left the study site during the study and elk freely crossed the gravel roads used to access the wind-power facility. Carbon and nitrogen isotopes and percent nitrogen in feces suggested that wind-power development did not affect nutrition of elk during construction. Although disturbance and loss of some grassland habitat was apparent, elk were not adversely affected by wind-power development as determined by home range and dietary quality. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70028104 |
| Citation Author: | Walter, W. D.; Leslie, Jr. , D. M.; Jenks, J. A. |
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| Citation End Page: | 375 |
| Citation Issue: | 2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | American Midland Naturalist |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 13 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Response of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) to wind-power development; 2006; Article; Journal; American Midland Naturalist; Walter, W. D.; Leslie, Jr. , D. M.; Jenks, J. A. |
| Citation Start Page: | 363 |
| Citation Volume: | 156 |
| Citation Year: | 2006 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Response of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) to wind-power development; 2006; Article; Journal; American Midland Naturalist; Walter, W. D.; Leslie, Jr. , D. M.; Jenks, J. A. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031(2006)156[363:RORMEC]2.0.CO;2 |
| Date Other: | Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00 -0600 |
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