Influences of herbivory and water on willow in elk winter range
Zeigenfuss LC, Singer FJ, Williams SA, Johnson TL. 2002. Influences of herbivory and water on willow in elk winter range. Journal of Wildlife Management. 66(3):788-795
Elimination of large predators and reduced hunter harvest have led to concerns that an increasing elk (Cervus elaphus) population may be adversely affecting vegetation on the low-elevation elk winter range of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA. From 1994 to 1998, the authors studied vegetation production responses of willow communities to elk herbivory and water availability. They found that elk herbivory appears to be the dominant force determining vegetation productivity in willow sites, but the effects may be exacerbated by lowered water tables.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Zeigenfuss, Linda; Singer, Francis; Williams, Stephen; Johnson, Therese
- Units
- ROMO
- Keywords
- browsing, elk, herbivory, riparian, ungulate, vegetation, water, willow
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Groundwater Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Wetland Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Riparian Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals , Ecological Framework: Landscapes | Energy Flow | Primary Production