Evaluating the effects of habitat fragmentation on winter distribution of elk (Cervus elaphus) and moose (Alces alces) in the Prince Albert National Park area, Saskatchewan (Cervus elaphus, Alces alces)

Along with habitat loss and degradation, habitat fragmentation is considered to be one of the greatest threats to the survival of forest wildlife and biodiversity worldwide. Many negative effects of habitat fragmentation on wildlife have been documented, including the alteration of wildlife movement patterns as a result of road construction and increased risk of metapopulation extinction due to habitat isolation.; This research project investigates the effects of habitat fragmentation on elk and moose in the Prince Albert National Park area, Saskatchewan. The animals' response to different landscape features (vegetation types and linear disturbances) is first assessed based on aerial ungulate survey data, land cover data, and transportation route data using resource selection analysis. Key landscape structures that are critical to facilitate or impede the movement of ungulates between the park and other undisturbed parts of the landscape were then identified using both a logistic regression and a multi-scale connectivity assessment approach.; Habitat usage by elk and moose was non-random, with hardwood closed being the habitat type most preferred by both species inside and outside of the park. Elk avoided roads but used trails to facilitate movement. Moose were indifferent to both roads and trails in the study area. Increased amounts of hardwood closed habitat and being located inside the park were the best predictors of elk and moose presence, respectively. The results of the landscape modelling indicated that the largest patches of hardwood closed most contributed to the overall landscape connectivity. For the hardwood open patch layer, small stepping-stone patches became important as the threshold distance increased.; The methodology developed in this project to assess and monitor landscape fragmentation will be applicable to other national parks. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...