Graduate Student: Andy Gregory
Andy is currently a Ph.D. student at Kansas State University
Andy's project looks at how animals utilize space on a landscape, and how predation pressure alters that use of space. Most people
can visualize the concept behind landscape ecology fairly easily. As you stand on a mountain overlooking a valley you see below
hat the valley is composed of a network of different vegetation types, in a patchy distribution. Each of these vegetation types
offers something to the animals that live there, i.e. they are all potential habitat. However, some patches my offer better forage
while others may offer better cover. Understanding how animals approach this decision important to biologists. Because, when
attempting to manage a wildlife population, one must understand not only what types of habitat are needed, but also why those habitat
types are needed to effectively manage the species in question.
This research deals specifically with what types of patches elk in Yellowstone are choosing since wolf re-introduction in 1996.
Using a variety of field ecology, GIS, and conservation genetics techniques I am hoping to be able to determine: which habitat attributes,
if any, elk are selecting for in Yellowstone, which, if any, they are avoiding, and how the density of wolves in the area affects that choice?
Funding provided by:
Safari Club International - Michigan chapter
Central Michigan University
Sigma Xi
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