Elk and Vegetation Management Plan:
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Purpose: Data analysis of Elk population ranges and the effect on vegetation
population. Analysis of management plan options.
Background: - See separate sheet
Materials:
Copies of “Elk use of Ranges by Season”
Copies of Elk Range Poster
graph paper
calculator
Procedure Part ONE
1. Using the scale on the 2005 Elk Use of Ranges by Season, determine the area
of the core winter range in kilometers squared (Km2).
2. Using these maps, county the number of elk present in the core winter range
for each month. Record your information in Table 2: Monthly Elk Population
in Core Winter Range.
3. Calculate the average annual population of elk in the core winter range.
Record the population below Table 2.
4. Calculate the average density of elk in the core winter range. Enter it into
Table 3.
5. Graph the data in Table 3: Recorded Aspen and Elk Densities 1968 Through
2003.
6. Plot your calculated 2005 elk density on the graph.
7. Draw a “Best Fit Line” for the elk data
8. Draw a “Best Fit Line” for the aspen data and extend it beyond the elk density
trend line.
9. Estimate the aspen density for 2005 and enter it in Table 3.
Data Analysis
Core winter range area: __________ km2
Table 2: Monthly Elk Population in Core Winter Range
Month
Elk Population
Month
Elk Population
January
July
February
August
March
September
April
October
May
November
June
December
Average Elk Population 2005: __________________________
Elk population
=
Area of core winter range (km2)
average elk density 2005
Average Elk Density 2005: _________elk/km2
Table 3: Recorded Aspen and Elk Densities 1968 Through 2003
Year
Aspen Denisty
Elk Density
(plants/km2)
(elk/km2)
1968
330,000
20
1973
275,000
24
1978
210,000
51
1983
190,000
69
1988
170,000
53
1993
130,000
41
1998
115,000
65
2003
60,000
72
2005
1. What type of correlation exists between the aspen and elk populations?
2. If the current management plan, implemented in 1969, were to be continued
indefinitely, what will happen to the aspen community within the core winter
range?
3. What biotic factors of the ecosystem may be affected by the alteration of the
aspen community?
4. What abiotic factors of the ecosystem may be affected by the alteration of the
aspen community?