Determination of Habitat Preferences of Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) on the Rolling Plains of Texas Using GIS and Remote Sensing

The Rocker b Ranch on the southern Rolling Plains has one of the last sizeable populations of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in Texas. To investigate habitat utilization on the ranch, pronghorn were fitted with GPS/VHF collars and were released into pastures surrounded by a variety of fences to determine how fence types affected habitat selection. Habitat parameters chosen for analysis were vegetation, elevation, slope, aspect, and distances to water, roads, and oil wells. Results showed that pronghorn on the ranch crossed modified fencing significantly less than other types of fencing. Pronghorn selected for all habitat parameters to various degrees, with the most important being vegetation type. Habitat selection could be attributed to correspondence of vegetation type with other parameters or spatial arrangements of physical features of the landscape. Seasonal differences in habitat utilization were evident, and animals tended to move shorter distances at night than they did during daylight hours.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2005

Author dc:creator

• Aiken, Robin A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Zimmerman, Earl G.
• Dickson, Kenneth L.
• Atkinson, Samuel F.

• Pronghorn -- Habitat -- Texas.
• pronghorn
• Antilocapra americana
• habitat selection
• fencing
• GPS collar
• GIS

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Aiken, Robin A.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 62093626
untcat: b2848865
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4796/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4796

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4796