Distribution of vertebrates of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Authors

Stanley H. Anderson, Wyoming Cooperative Fishery and Wildlife Research Unit, Laramie, Wyoming
Wayne A. Hubert, Wyoming Cooperative Fishery and Wildlife Research Unit, Laramie, Wyoming
Craig Patterson, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Alan J. Redder, University of Wyoming, Laramie
David Duvall, University of Wyoming, Laramie

Abstract

During a survey of the vertebrates in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, 46 mammal, 210 bird, 9 reptile, 5 amphibian, and 28 fish species were found. Habitat structure and moisture were two environmental variables associated with species numbers across this 1,820-ha area. Eight distinct habitats were evaluated. In coniferous forests, 27% of the birds and 54% of the mammals were observed. Sagebrush/grasslands and upland shrublands were very arid and had relatively few vertebrates. Five introduced game birds occurred in sagebrush habitat. Riparian and wetland habitats had the largest number of unique vertebrates, 38 and 77 respectively. The establishment of Bighorn Lake in 1968 influenced the fisheries in streams and rivers as 10 introduced fish species are now there.

Recommended Citation

Anderson, Stanley H.; Hubert, Wayne A.; Patterson, Craig; Redder, Alan J.; and Duvall, David (1987) "Distribution of vertebrates of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 47: No. 3, Article 15.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol47/iss3/15