Habitat selection by mountain sheep in Mojave Desert scrub

Abstract

I identified habitat use by 12-18 mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in a 320-ha enclosure between June 1990 and June 1991 on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada. The enclosure included 9 vegetation associations and 5 slope classes. I used a non-mapping technique and line transects to determine availability of vegetation associations and slope classes, and species composition, respectively. I determined use of habitats by mountain sheep with instantaneous sampling. Mountain sheep used midslopes and draw associations on the west side of the study area, and slope classes of 36-80% more than expected based on availability. I tested Hansen's (1980) habitat evaluation model on the study area. The model was >98% accurate in predicting mountain sheep use of habitat. Habitat use by mountain sheep in the enclosure was similar to habitat use of free-ranging mountain sheep.