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Simulation modeling of big game at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Gary Leroy, author
dc.contributor.authorGross, Jack E., advisor
dc.contributor.authorHein, Dale A., committee member
dc.contributor.authorWunder, Bruce A., committee member
dc.contributor.authorBrown, Perry J., committee member
dc.date.accessioned2021-09-07T16:24:24Z
dc.date.available2021-09-07T16:24:24Z
dc.date.issued1977
dc.description.abstractCertain aspects of the population ecology of herds of bison (Bison bison), elk (Cervus canadensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and Texas longhorn cattle (Bos taurus) inhabiting the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma were investigated by analyzing data contained in existing refuge reports and related documents. The information obtained was subsequently used in validation studies for a simulation model (Program ONEPOP) designed to mimic the dynamics of big game grazing systems. The factors which influenced population sizes most in the four populations were harvest rate of the previous year and reproductive rate. In all four populations, natural mortality rates tended to be density independent whereas reproductive rates were density dependent. Ecological factors which influenced herd reproductive rates were precipitation amount and food supply. The amount of precipitation received during August and September, immediately prior to and during the breeding period, may have had greater influence on re-productive rates than total annual precipitation. Incidence of pregnancy among yearling females was especially high during years of above-average precipitation. There was also evidence that lactation status affected reproductive rates in elk. In general, there was an inverse relation between lactation and pregnancy among Wichita elk. Computer simulations with Program ONEPOP closely mimicked reported values for population size and trend, reproductive parameters, harvest, and sex and age structures in the bison and longhorn cattle populations. Simulated population sizes for elk, however, were substantially higher than corresponding reported values and led to the conclusion that the Wichita elk population had been underestimated for several years. Demographic data for white-tailed deer were too poor to adequately test the model. Results indicated that Program ONEPOP simulated big game population dynamics with a high degree of precision and realism. The model contained the basic parameters which produced population changes over time and was consistent with population controlling mechanisms. The model appeared to have the capability of generating information useful in herd management.
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/233873
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relationCatalog record number (MMS ID): 991001641809703361
dc.relationSK437.W56
dc.relation.ispartof1950-1979
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subject.lcshWildlife refuges -- Oklahoma -- Wichita Mountains
dc.subject.lcshWildlife refuges -- Simulation methods
dc.titleSimulation modeling of big game at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineFishery and Wildlife Biology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

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