A new scientific report on what drives the spring migration of elk has found that a herd's ability to forage and snow are the most significant factors. 

The report stated, "Our findings suggest that elk exhibit a flexible response to environmental cues, adjusting migration timing and duration in accordance with local conditions."

Considering elk migrate to ensure they have enough resources and, thus, the highest population numbers possible at the time, these findings could prove vital. 

What's happening?

Researchers studied four Colorado elk herds to investigate the duration and timing of spring migration. More specifically, they aimed to examine how snow dynamics and forage quality affected this migration. 

While researchers discovered different herds had varying migration patterns — in terms of distance traveled, duration, and departure date — all herds were affected by available foraging resources and snow dynamics. 

This led researchers to conclude that the determinants driving herd migration are multifaceted; herds didn't appear to focus on a single aspect when deciding when to move on, but several elements at once. 

Why is this study important?

While figuring out the motivating factors of migration is important, this study may be more critical because it could aid conservation efforts. 

Right now, migration globally is on the decline, partly due to humans encroaching on migration routes, leading to habitat loss for animals. 

On top of that, foraging ability is vital to migration. As temperatures continue to rise across the globe, there will be a lack of vegetation, which could have a significant effect on migration routes. If animals aren't adept at adjusting to ever-changing conditions, their migration may end, and populations will decline, affecting people just as much as the animals themselves. 

A population decline in wildlife, such as elk, means fewer food resources for humans, greater food insecurity, and the destruction of local ecosystems.

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However, knowing the information learned through this study could aid conservation efforts by allowing scientists to map migration corridors and determine potentially harmful human behaviors along the way.

What's being done to help with migration?

As far as this particular study goes, researchers concluded: "Further research is needed to understand the rate of vegetative phenology shifts, to quantify the ways and rates at which migrants may respond to such changes, and to evaluate how plastic or consistent differences in foraging strategy are among individuals and herds."

In the meantime, conservationists and governments are working to protect migration corridors via grants and improvements. 

Wildlife crossings are one initiative that has improved migration safety, enabling animals to cross areas where human encroachment has changed the landscape.

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