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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Invasive Species and Pollinator Health » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184946
Title: WILDLIFE HABITAT AND UTILIZATION OF DESERT RESOURCES

Author
item Young, James
item Clements, Darin - Charlie

Submitted to: Desert Technology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/8/2005
Publication Date: 11/27/2005
Citation: Young, J.A., Clements, C.D. 2005. Wildlife habitat and utilization of desert resources [abstract]. Proceedings 8th International Conference on Desert Technology, Epinard Nasu, Japan. 8:82.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Odocoileus hemionus is the only large herbivore that is hunted in the United States that has a declining population. Other species of deer in North America have stable or increasing populations. Purshia tridentata has long been identified as a critical species in the diet of Odocoileus hemionus. Excessive utilization by both domestic livestock and wildlife have contributed to a decline in the abundance of Purshia tridentata. A greatly reduced interval between wildfires has also depleted this shrub. Human residential and commercial development in the transitions zone between desert winter and mountain summer ranges is another contributing factor in the decline of Odocoileus hemionus populations. Enhancement of seedling recruitment of Purshia tridentata is possible, but it is very complex because of the nature of the physiology of the seed and interactions with small mammals that collect and cache the seeds.