Population growth of a (re)introduced elk (Cervus elaphus ) herd (n = 144) in the Takhini Valley, southwest Yukon, has increased the need to determine an ecologically sustainable carrying capacity for the primary range. Elk telemetry data, aerial photographs, and contour maps were used to define the study area (95 km2 ), which represented 56% of the total local range used in 2007 and 2008. Plot sampling, plant community classification, and air-photo mapping were used to determine the composition and areal extent of vegetation types, each of which was used to evaluate forage availability. Seven treed and five nontreed types were recognized, with treed forest types representing 68% of the area. Nontreed vegetation produced more forage [...]
