Summer spatial patterning of chukars in relation to free water in western Utah |
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Authors: | Randy T Larsen John A Bissonette Jerran T Flinders Mevin B Hooten Tammy L Wilson |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, 407 WIDB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;(2) United States Geological Survey, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Utah State University, 5290 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-5290, USA;(3) Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, 275 WIDB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;(4) Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Utah State University, 3900 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-3900, USA;(5) Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-5290, USA |
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Abstract: | Free water is considered important to wildlife in arid regions. In the western United States, thousands of water developments
have been built to benefit wildlife in arid landscapes. Agencies and researchers have yet to clearly demonstrate their effectiveness.
We combined a spatial analysis of summer chukar (Alectoris chukar) covey locations with dietary composition analysis in western Utah. Our specific objectives were to determine if chukars
showed a spatial pattern that suggested association with free water in four study areas and to document summer dietary moisture
content in relation to average distance from water. The observed data for the Cedar Mountains study area fell within the middle
of the random mean distance to water distribution suggesting no association with free water. The observed mean distance to
water for the other three areas was much closer than expected compared to a random spatial process, suggesting the importance
of free water to these populations. Dietary moisture content of chukar food items from the Cedar Mountains (59%) was significantly
greater (P < 0.05) than that of birds from Box Elder (44%) and Keg-Dugway (44%). Water developments on the Cedar Mountains are likely
ineffective for chukars. Spatial patterns on the other areas, however, suggest association with free water and our results
demonstrate the need for site-specific considerations. Researchers should be aware of the potential to satisfy water demand
with pre-formed and metabolic water for a variety of species in studies that address the effects of wildlife water developments.
We encourage incorporation of spatial structure in model error components in future ecological research. |
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