Pronghorn antelope migration ecology and connectivity in the Northern Great Plains

This study will examine the phenomenon of long distance migration (LDM) in pronghorn antelope by employing advanced spatial analytical methods to develop models that can be used for designing landscape and biodiversity conservation strategies at the scale of the Northern Sage Steppe, which includes southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, and northern Montana.

Research Objectives:

1. Develop quantitative model(s) defining the spatial and temporal nature of environmental conditions at the initiation of pronghorn migration to derive ecological mechanisms driving migration.
   
   
2. Define the environmental and anthropogenic attributes of observed versus available migration paths to generate an ecological understanding of pathway selection.
   
   
3. Develop regional landscape connectivity models for the Northern Sage Steppe landscape for pronghorn migration.
   
   
4. Provide World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and other conservation organizations/agencies with analytical models and conceptual framework for land use and conservation planning at a regional scale.

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