SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR EACH OBJECTIVE
- Collect published and unpublished data on the impact of both livestock and wildlife grazing on water quality and
riparian habitat.
Accomplishment: Published and unpublished information was collected from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Reference Service database, University of Wyoming Library database, and from personal contacts with
Personnel from Federal and State natural resource management agencies.
- Determine if such data are sufficient to develop a decision model that considers livestock AUM's and wildlife herd
levels on a seasonal basis for the purpose of assessing nonpoint pollution when considering livestock and wildlife
densities and their management.
Accomplishment: The information reviewed on both livestock stocking levels and wildlife herd levels is
insufficient for designing predictive models of the relationship of animal densities to non-point source
pollution.
- Summarize data on wildlife foraging behavior, seasonal movement, diurnal movement, winter feeding programs and
both natural and man-induced winter concentration of wildlife that might affect water quality.
Accomplishment: Data on wildlife foraging behavior was collected for elk, mule deer, whitetail deer,
pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and moose was summarized. Information on seasonal movement, diurnal movement,
winter feeding programs and both natural and man-induced winter concentrations was summarized but was limited
mainly to elk.
- Compare foraging behavior of various wildlife species in different riparian habitat types from data available in
order to determine their relative influence on quality.
Accomplishment: Foraging behavior was compared among elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, pronghorn,
bighorn sheep, and moose.
- Design field experiments based on data from Objective 1-4 that could assess the impact of wildlife grazing on water
quality considering,
-
- (a) seasonal and diurnal movements,
- (b) presence and absence of livestock grazing, and
- (c) various riparian habitat types present in Wyoming.
Accomplishment: Our analysis indicates that the only scientifically sound approach to assess the impact
of wildlife grazing on water quality is through controlled experiments with known numbers of animals held in
captivity. Such studies will be very expensive and time consuming.
- Recommend potential study sites in different riparian habitats that could be used to carry out field experiments.
Accomplishment: Out of 30 potential study sites visited, 7 were identified as possible sites for field
studies, and 4 were identified as possible locations for controlled experimental studies.
92-02 Table of Contents
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