Development of an ecological model for the Riding Mountain National Park elk population (Manitoba)

The state of ecological integrity can be determined by assessing the viability of a species that is considered vital to the ecosystem (Woodley 1993). This study involved modeling the Riding Mountain National Park elk population and components, which influenced and impacted the viability of the elk population, thereby indicating the state of ecological integrity within RMNP. Main components included in the model were wolves, human harvest, bear predation and winter severity.; The development of the model utilized the STELLA software. As well, data were gathered from RMNP, the Manitoba Department of Conservation and various studies. The data was used to build the formulae that were placed in the model and then run. Sensitivity runs were conducted by varying the values of human harvest rate on elk, bear predation rate of elk calves, the adult and yearling birth rate of elk, and the wolf population. As well, additional runs were also carried out to test the elk population. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...