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Fine-scale predation risk on elk after wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park, USA

  • Behavioral Ecology - Original Paper
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Abstract

While patterns from trophic cascade studies have largely focused on density-mediated effects of predators on prey, there is increasing recognition that behaviorally mediated indirect effects of predators on prey can, at least in part, explain trophic cascade patterns. To determine if a relationship exists between predation risk perceived by elk (Cervus elaphus) while browsing and elk position within the landscape, we observed a total of 56 female elk during two summers and 29 female elk during one winter. At a fine spatial (0–187 m) and temporal scale (145–300 s), results from our model selection indicated summer vigilance levels were greater for females with calves than for females without calves, with vigilance levels greater for all females at closer escape-impediment distances. Winter results also suggested greater female vigilance levels at closer escape-impediment distances, but further indicated an increase in vigilance levels with closer conifer-edge distances. Placed within the context of other studies, the results were consistent with a behaviorally mediated trophic cascade and provide a potential mechanism to explain the variability in observed woody plant release from browsing in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA.

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Acknowledgements

The authors greatly appreciated the comments of Dr Robert Beschta, Cristina Eisenberg, Dr Jeff Hollenbeck, Dr Gail Olson, and an anonymous reviewer on earlier drafts of the manuscript. Financial support from the University of Wyoming-Yellowstone National Park grant is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Resources, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Joshua S. Halofsky & William J. Ripple

  2. Washington State Department of Natural Resources, 1111 Washington Street SE, PO Box 47016, Olympia, WA, 98504-7016, USA

    Joshua S. Halofsky

Authors
  1. Joshua S. Halofsky
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  2. William J. Ripple
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Correspondence to Joshua S. Halofsky.

Additional information

Communicated by John Fryxell.

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Halofsky, J.S., Ripple, W.J. Fine-scale predation risk on elk after wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Oecologia 155, 869–877 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-007-0956-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-007-0956-z

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