Human disturbance in bighorn sheep habitat, Pusch Ridge Wilderness, Arizona
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
I monitored and recorded human activities in bighorn sheep habitat to determine the role of human activity in the decline of an indigenous population of bighorn sheep in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona. I recorded hiker activity, sound levels, presence of dogs, and hunting activity in off-trail areas of bighorn sheep habitat from June 1995 to June 1996. Eighteen percent of hiker-groups entering the study area hiked off-trails in bighorn sheep habitat, and 8% were accompanied by dogs. Although I observed very little hunting activity in the area, noise disturbance may be a factor in the decline of the population. The cumulative affect of these and other activities probably contributed to the decline of the herd.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.S.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Graduate CollegeRenewable Natural Resources