A new study further solidifies the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s long-held reliance on the importance and effectiveness of active forest management in maintaining and improving habitat for elk and other wildlife.
The joint project by researchers from Canada and Montana focused on ecosystem changes over more than two decades from 2001 to 2023 in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. They sought to study changes in big game forage due to conifer encroachment versus areas that had experienced land disturbance like fire and logging.
Findings indicate an overall forage decline in conifer-encroached areas and an increase in forage in fire and logged areas. Researchers showed reductions in the use of prescribed fire can have negative effects on big game forage and suggest the implementation of prescribed burning and other habitat enhancement treatments to support and improve habitat.
RMEF maintains active forest treatments can significantly improve habitat for elk, mule deer, moose and other wildlife while reducing the risk of high intensity fires and improving overall forest health.
The study received support from RMEF and other partner universities and organizations.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)