Wetland development at Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Nicholson ◽  
D. H. Vitt
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Wetland Development ◽  
Elk Island National Park

POLYMORPHUS PARADOXUS SP. NOV. (ACANTHOCEPHALA) PARASITIZING BEAVERS AND MUSKRATS IN ALBERTA, CANADA

1957 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Connell ◽  
A. H. Corner
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Castor Canadensis ◽  
Avian Host ◽  
Elk Island National Park ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
A New Species

A new species of Acanthocephala, Polymorphus paradoxus, is described from beavers (Castor canadensis) and muskrats (Ondatra zibethica) from a lake in Elk Island National Park, Alberta. A species of amphipod in the lake was heavily infected with larval Acanthocephala, although the possible relationship of this infection to that in the beaver and muskrat has not yet been determined. While all other species of Polymorphus have been described from birds, a possible avian host of P. paradoxus has not yet been found.

Relating changes in duff moisture to the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System in Populus tremuloides stands in Elk Island National Park

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1987-1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Otway ◽  
E. W. Bork ◽  
K. R. Anderson ◽  
M. E. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fire ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Index System ◽  
National Park ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Fire Weather ◽  
Weather Index ◽  
Fire Weather Index ◽  
Elk Island National Park ◽  
Topographic Positions

The manner in which trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) forest duff moisture changes during the growing season was investigated in Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada. A calibration–validation procedure incorporating one calibration site with moisture sampling across three topographic positions was used to develop predictive models, which were subsequently compared with 12 validation sites across three vegetation types throughout the Park. Duff moisture was modelled against the Duff Moisture Code and Drought Code components of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System. Spring, summer, and fall rates of duff moisture change differed (P < 0.050) during calibration, with moisture loss greatest in spring. Additionally, while moisture changes on the south-facing and crest topographic positions were similar during spring, moisture losses were greater (P < 0.050) at these locations compared with the north-facing landscape position. Correlation analysis indicated that duff inorganic content and bulk density were both related to duff moisture but were limited in importance compared with weather-based influences. When compared with predicted values obtained from calibrated models, moderate predictability of duff moisture was found (mean absolute error = 20.7%–54.2%). Relative to the national standard equations, unique but very different empirical relationships were developed between the Duff Moisture Code and Drought Code and the moisture content of the duff layer in aspen forest stands found in Elk Island National Park.

Populus forest characterization in Elk Island National Park relative to herbivory, prescribed fire, and topography

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1518-1526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward W. Bork ◽  
Robert J. Hudson ◽  
Arthur W. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
National Park ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Ungulate Herbivory ◽  
Elk Island National Park ◽  
The Impact

Wild ungulate herbivory and prescribed fire can modify the vegetational characteristics of Populus forest plant communities and alter their potential to meet conservation objectives. Effective management of these areas depends on understanding the impact of these disturbances across natural landscapes. Our objective was to quantify various overstory and understory plant community characteristics in the Populus forests in and around Elk Island National Park, Alberta, under different disturbance regimes. Vegetation from 36 sites, stratified by four topographic positions and three historical treatment combinations of fire and native ungulate herbivory, were sampled. In these sites, we quantified tree density, basal area and cover, understory species richness and diversity, shrub density and height, as well as grass, forb, and browse annual net primary production (ANPP). Although tree canopy characteristics were similar under all three disturbances, small-diameter trees (< 5 cm) were nearly absent within the Park. The reference area outside the Park had greater browse-leaf and -twig ANPP, as well as shrub height, but lower grass ANPP. Inside the Park, burned areas had greater shrub density and ANPP of grass and forb components. Topographically, tree stand basal area, cover, and shrub height were greatest on the northern slope, as was browse-leaf ANPP. Species diversity and richness were relatively greater on the toe slope. Within the plant community variables examined, the disturbances and positions frequently interacted, particularly the burned treatment with the crest position and level of herbivory with the south-facing and north-facing slopes. The structure, composition, and ANPP of Populus forest in Elk Island National Park has been significantly affected by both ungulate herbivory and prescribed burning. These factors, along with topography, influence the vegetation and are consequently important for management of the park's habitat and ungulate populations. Key words: ANPP, national park, prescribed fire, structure, topography, ungulate herbivory.

scholarly journals Fascioloides magna in Moose (Alces alces) From Elk Island National Park, Alberta

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd K. Shury ◽  
Margo J. Pybus ◽  
Nick Nation ◽  
Normand L. Cool ◽  
W. James Rettie
Keyword(s):  
Cause Of Death ◽  
National Park ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Fascioloides Magna ◽  
The North ◽  
Radio Signals ◽  
Proportional Mortality ◽  
Causes Of Mortality ◽  
Elk Island National Park

Thirty-seven adult female moose ( Alces alces) from 2 distinct but adjacent populations in Elk Island National Park (EINP), Alberta, Canada (19 in north EINP and 18 in south EINP), were fitted with mortality-sensing VHF radio-collars, and radio signals were acquired daily to ascertain mortality status. At capture, serum, whole blood, and feces were collected; pregnancy was determined; teeth were aged by visual inspection; and a portion of liver was assessed by ultrasound examination. Postmortem examination was conducted on 20 suitable carcasses. Clinical pathological abnormalities, including eosinophilia, polycythemia, elevated levels of liver enzymes in serum, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell distribution, and liver damage as seen in ultrasound images occurred only in moose from north EINP. Infected moose had 4.7 ± 4.8 Fascioloides magna flukes per liver (mean ± SD). The proportion of moose pregnant at capture was similar in both populations (74% in north EINP, 61% in south EINP). Proportional mortality was significantly higher in moose from the north (68%) than the south (32%). Fascioloides magna was associated as a cause of death in 7 of 14 (50%) moose in the north where cause of death was determined, while predation ( n = 1), acute toxemic syndrome ( n = 3), dystocia ( n = 1), and roadkill and undetermined causes ( n = 3) were additional causes of mortality. F. magna was associated with poor body condition and was a major cause of mortality in north EINP but not south EINP, despite very similar habitat and proximity, suggesting a significant role for these flukes in affecting health and viability of naturally infected moose populations.

Reproductive success in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) established using molecular techniques

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 1537-1548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A Wilson ◽  
Wes Olson ◽  
Curtis Strobeck
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
National Park ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Wood Bison ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Elk Island National Park ◽  
Linear Regressions

In this study, we used 21 microsatellite loci to establish the reproductive success of the wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) population at Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada. Wood bison are considered threatened in Canada, and this population is currently used to found new populations. Despite the low levels of genetic variation in this population, we were able to establish paternity in 253 and maternity in 295 of the 317 calves born in Elk Island National Park over the 4-year study period. Roughly 40% of the mature males were reproductively successful each year. Mature males produced a mean of 3.8 offspring over the study period, with a range of 0–24. Each year, approximately 50–70% of the cows produced calves, with a mean of 2.7 over the study period. Multiple linear regressions were performed to determine the effects of age, mass, heterozygosity, prior success, and the year of conception on male and female reproductive success. Only mass and prior success were useful in predicting male reproductive success. Female reproductive success depended on age, mass, and prior success and was also affected by environmental differences between years. No evidence was found for inbreeding avoidance in wood bison.

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