Optimum Carrying Capacity for Bison in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Abstract

This project was designed to determine the optimum population size for bison in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) by fulfilling the following objectives: 1. Delineate primary and secondary areas of bison use. 2. Determine net primary productivity for major range sites within primary and secondary use areas. 3. Determine the general seasonal food habits of bison in TRNP. 4. Determine range trends under present population density of bison and the maximum carrying capacity of primary use areas. 5. Integrate range trend and carrying capacity estimates with management priorities for bison on the TRNP.