Quinn, MichaelPaton, Dale G.2012-12-122013-06-152012-12-122012Paton, D. G. (2012). Connectivity of Elk Migration in Southwestern Alberta (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25419http://hdl.handle.net/11023/344ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the migration of a partially migratory population of 650 Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) in the human dominated landscape of southwestern Alberta. I contribute previously unknown values for metrics known to be important for elk ecology and management, including: migration timing, distance, and duration . The Brownian bridge movement model was used to delineate a probabilistic estimate of elk migration corridors between seasonal ranges, to determine if elk use stopovers during migration and prioritize migration corridors. Elk used a number of stopovers during migration likely to maximize areas of rich forage due to spring green-up. Stopovers were found to be >500m from roads in areas of rugged terrain These stopover locations are critical components in altitudinal migration. Finally a predictive modeling process using graph theory methods (least cost and circuit theory) was undertaken to predict connectivity of the landscape for elk.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.ZoologyElkMigrationDispersalconnectivitystopoverCorridorhuntpartially migratoryIndustryRecreationroadmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/25419