All-terrain vehicle to investigate mechanisms of bison distribution under physiological stress

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The All-Terrain Vehicle requested is necessary to carry out our research program on the evaluation of behavioural mechanisms that result herbivore distribution under physiological stressors. We will conduct research to identify the main determinants of the spatiotemporal dynamics of bison that are exposed to stressors such as wolf predation, human dominated landscapes (i.e., farmlands), and limited habitat availability. We will use this information to reduce wildlife-human conflicts by modifying connectivity near areas prone to conflicts. The first step will be to characterize spatio-temporal patterns of predation risk within the bison range. To do so, we will evaluate how bison respond to the distribution of wolves. The second step will be to monitor radio-collared bison to evaluate their movement decisions. We will use graph theory to pin point parts of the resource patch network that, if impacted, should have strong and predictable effects on bison distribution. On this basis, we will carry out a landscape-scale experiment on the network by local - yet strategic - habitat modifications to reduce movements outside of protected lands. Finally, we will characterize stressors and identify how they impact bison distribution, particularly at the edge of bison range (e.g., in agricultural areas). Our research requires to conduct vegetation surveys and to identify stress levels from hormones in bison scat at the edge of their range. This information will clarify how bison respond to stress and vegetation quality as they attempt to expand into new areas. The proposed research is innovative because it will go beyond the simple description of distribution patterns by revealing the behavioural mechanisms involved in the habitat selection process. The approach to influencing animal distribution will combine rigorous science and adaptive management, which will speed the development of innovative and effective management actions of conservation significance. Free-ranging plains bison populations are threatened in Canada (COSEWIC, May 2004), and as bison spend more time outside of protected lands their free-ranging nature may be in jeopardy. Our work will help bison management by increasing our ability to predict and control their distribution.