Foraging Ecology of Elk (Cervus elaphus) in a Tallgrass Prairie

Abstract Selection of forage by wildlife may drive habitat selection and influence rates of survival and reproduction. To understand patterns in use of forage by elk (Cervus elaphus) in a tallgrass prairie, we collected groups of fecal pellets during 2005–2007 and determined patterns of use based on stable-isotope ratios of carbon and microhistological analysis. Elk consumed the greatest diversity of forbs during summer and the greatest diversity of grasses during winter. While our study site was dominated by warm-season C4-grasses, stable-isotope analysis indicated that elk consumed primarily C3-vegetation (cool-season grasses, forbs, or browse) during summer and winter.