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Damage assessment

The controversy over landscape use by elk and livestock in the West has been hotly debated for decades, with clear lines drawn between ranchers and those who seek to protect wildlife. These damage claims are often the "metrics" by which cases are argued. Unfortunately, empirical data on the actual damage caused by elk in Arizona have not been collected in a systematic manner. Our objectives are to quantify damage to rangelands by elk and livestock throughout elk habitat in Arizona (excluding Indian Reservations). We will use the V - V as a model from which we can verify estimates provided in other areas. To meet this objective we will:

1. Estimate the damage caused by livestock and native ungulates from interviews and surveys of personnel from land management agencies (U.S.F.S., BLM, State Lands), wildlife agencies (AGFD), and the livestock operators.
2. Randomly select areas to examine for field visits to verify survey data.
3. Collect specific data from the V - V related to damage (e.g., type of damage, animals involved, location, cost to repair). These data will be used to compare known costs with estimates provided from agencies and operators in number 1 above.
4. Model damage by vegetation associations identified by remote sensing. This will be a helpful predictor of where, when, and how much damage is caused to rangeland resources by livestock and wild ungulates.

Methods

To estimate damage caused by ungulates we will develop a questionnaire that inquires about attitudes, knowledge, demographic, and potential solutions to existing concerns (Bright and Manfredo 1996). We will use standard techniques for mail surveys (Dillman 1978). After survey results have been collected we will randomly select areas with various levels of reported damage to verify our survey results. We will also collect specific damage information from the V - V ranch including damage caused by animal, location, season, and cost to repair or replace. These data will be used as a model from which we can compare with survey and field site data. We will further correlate damage with vegetation associations, and seasons to be able to predict when and what type of damage occurs where. Data will be analyzed with standard tests (ANOVA, regression, t-test). Multiple regression will be used to predict how, when, and where damage occurs.

These data will be useful for all ranchers, game managers working in landscapes shared by livestock and native ungulates. The study will provide quantitative data on rangeland damage from ungulates from which informed decisions can be made. Furthermore, we may determine if habitat fragmentation causes damage by elk that have been displaced.