Habitat use by woodland caribou near Takla Lake in central British Columbia

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 1552-1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G Poole ◽  
Douglas C Heard ◽  
Garth Mowat
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Satellite Image ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Risk Of Predation

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) living in the mountainous areas of British Columbia are usually classified as either northern caribou, which spend much of the winter in low-elevation relatively young forests foraging primarily on terrestrial lichens, or mountain caribou, which winter in high-elevation old subalpine forests foraging exclusively on arboreal lichens. The forest-management practices necessary to conserve caribou differ substantially between these two categories of animals with different life-history strategies. Because of this variability in winter-habitat use, information relating specifically to Takla Lake caribou was required for forest management. To provide this information, we radio-collared 15 female caribou in two subherds in the vicinity of Takla Lake and determined their distribution and movements between January 1996 and May 1998 in relation to topography and vegetation cover. Habitat selection was examined using a classified satellite image. At the landscape scale, Takla Lake caribou avoided low-elevation forests (presumably because of the associated high risk of predation from wolves (Canis lupus)), occupying small seasonally overlapping home ranges (mean 151 km2) at intermediate and high elevations. Within home ranges in all seasons, caribou were most often found in the forest but, relative to availability, they selected forests only during calving. When in the forest, caribou selected open hybrid white-Engelmann spruce (Picea glauca × Picea engelmannii) - subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) forests over lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and deciduous forests in all seasons except spring. Caribou selected open spruce-fir stands over dry and closed spruce-fir stands in all seasons except calving. We conclude that caribou feed primarily on arboreal lichens in winter, because the open spruce-fir forests that they use have moderate to high arboreal lichen abundance, deep snow, and few terrestrial lichens. Takla Lake caribou were not typical of either mountain or northern caribou, but as is typical of insular populations of any species, have adapted to the food, topography, and cover types available to them on their mountain islands in a sea of moose (Alces alces) and wolves.

scholarly journals Seasonal Habitat Use and Movements of Mountain Goats, Oreamnos americanus, in East-central British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G. Poole ◽  
Douglas C. Heard
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
East Central ◽  
Oreamnos Americanus ◽  
Mountain Goats ◽  
Mineral Licks ◽  
Forest Use

To identify the potential for adverse effects of forest development on Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus), we documented the patterns of forest use by goats and the factors influencing goat habitat use. We used a combination of 15 very high frequency (VHF) and six global positioning system (GPS) radiocollars to document the distribution and movements of 21 (15 female, 6 male) goats from 1997 to 1999 in the mountains surrounding the Robson Valley in east-central British Columbia. Because canopy closure reduces the likelihood that a GPS receiver will obtain a location fix, we estimated that GPS collars underrepresented forest use by about 23%. Three goats used separate winter and summer ranges separated by 8–13 km, while most simply exhibited seasonal shifts in elevation. In winter, goats were more often at lower elevations, in commercial forest stands, on southerly aspects, and moved less each hour and over the course of the winter. Goat use declined in areas >500 m from escape terrain and goats were found lower in elevation from evening to dawn compared to daylight hours. Collared goats used high elevation licks, which were either within their home range, or in two cases, 6 and 14 km from their typical home range. We documented use of known mid-elevation mineral licks by three collared goats, but no use of known low elevation (valley bottom and lower slopes) mineral licks. Robson Valley goats appeared to be at relatively low risk from disturbances related to logging, because although forest use was documented during winter, it occurred primarily on high elevation, steep slopes where trees are currently of low commercial value, and goats made little use of low elevation mineral licks. We recommend that in this area a forested buffer of 500 m around cliffs be left to reduce the possibility of adverse effects on goats especially, on southerly aspects above 1300 m.

Implications of forest management practices for sex-specific habitat use by Nycticeius humeralis

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 1263-1273
Author(s):  
Youngsang Kwon ◽  
Anna C Doty ◽  
Megan L Huffman ◽  
Virginie Rolland ◽  
Daniel R Istvanko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Landscape Characteristics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Probability Of Presence

AbstractNorth American bats are experiencing declines in part due to anthropogenic impacts resulting in habitat loss and disturbance. In eastern deciduous forests, bats rely on forest resources for all or part of the year. Therefore, to promote conservation of bats, it is essential to determine whether current forest management techniques are compatible with habitat use by bats. We evaluated the relative effect of landscape characteristics, including forest management variables, on sex-specific foraging habitat of an insectivorous forest-dwelling bat species, the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), and predicted areas of suitable habitat for N. humeralis. A total of 18 variables were assessed using a maximum-entropy (Maxent) machine-learning approach: eight land use–land cover classes, three stand types, two topography measures, normalized difference vegetation index, and four forest management variables. Females showed the highest probability of presence closer to stands treated with prescribed fire, whereas males showed the highest probability of presence closer to reforested stands. In general, males exhibited more flexibility than females in their habitat selection. The Maxent model further indicated that habitat associated with suitability of > 70% was ~4 times larger for males than females, and predicted an additional area of suitable foraging habitat where no presence locations had been recorded. Our modeling approach may be suitable for other researchers to derive models appropriate for a wide range of bat species.

Space and habitat use by the threatened Gaspé caribou in southeastern Quebec

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1922-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Ouellet ◽  
Jean Ferron ◽  
Luc Sirois
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Alpine Habitat ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
High Elevations

The space and habitat use patterns of the threatened Gaspé caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were documented using telemetry. Between 1987 and 1992, 701 radiolocations were recorded, primarily for adult females (n = 28). Five habitats available to caribou (hardwood, immature, mature fir, mature spruce, alpine) are described and biomass of arboreal lichen, an important winter food source, is estimated. Regardless of sex and age, almost all locations (91%) were recorded within the limits of Gaspé Provincial Park. Home-range size of adult females averaged 148 km2 (convex polygon); 95% of adult female locations were within 107 km2 and 50% within 15 km2 (harmonic mean). Home-range sizes were small and did not vary seasonally or annually. Throughout the year caribou were located more frequently than expected at high elevations (> 915 m) and less frequently than expected at low elevations (0–685 m). Consequently, alpine habitat was used more frequently than expected. Caribou concentrated their activity in two distinct areas: the alpine plateaus of Mont Albert and Mont Jacques-Cartier. No caribou used both areas (with the exception of a lone female). These two caribou groups should be viewed as two subpopulations. The biomass of arboreal lichens was greatest in mature fir and spruce stands, with 50–60 kg/ha available at a height of 4 m. The altitudinal distribution of this resource may partly explain the strong selection of high-elevation sites made by caribou in winter. Our results also support the hypothesis that cow–calf groups remain at high elevations to reduce the risk of predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) and black bears (Ursus americanus). The proximity of mature forests and alpine habitat, at high elevations, in two areas of the park may explain the small extent of adult female home ranges and the segregation of Gaspé caribou into two groups.

scholarly journals Early Winter Habitat Use by Mountain Caribou in the North Cariboo and Columbia Mountains, British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Terry ◽  
B. McLellan ◽  
G. Watts ◽  
J. Flaa
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
The North ◽  
Columbia Mountains ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Spruce Stands

Winter habitat use was compared between two mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations in British Columbia. Regional differences were apparent during November and December. Radio-collared caribou inhabiting the gentle plateaus of the northern Cariboo Mountains, near Prince George, B.C. primarily used mid-elevation balsam-spruce stands on moderate slopes (<30%). In contrast, radio-collared caribou in the North Columbia Mountains, near Revelstoke, B.C. used low elevation hemlock-cedar stands and relatively steeper slopes (>30%). To adequately address habitat requirements of caribou, forest management plans should incorporate varying regional and seasonal habitat use patterns. Hypotheses on observed differences in habitat use are discussed.

scholarly journals Translocation and Recovery Efforts for the Telkwa Caribou, Rangifer tarandus caribou, Herd in Westcentral British Columbia, 1997-2005

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Vik Stronen ◽  
Paul Paquet ◽  
Stephen Herrero ◽  
Seán Sharpe ◽  
Nigel Waters
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Lower Elevation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Elevations

During 1997–1999, 32 Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were translocated from the Sustut Herd to the Telkwa Mountains in westcentral British Columbia to augment recovery of the Telkwa Caribou Herd. The animals were fitted with radiocollars and located during 1997–2000 to determine selection of habitat features and terrain variables. Six Caribou calves were also collared to determine causes and timing of calf mortality during summer 1999. Defining available habitat for newly translocated animals is often arbitrary and subjective, and we based the analyses on ranks for habitat use and availability as this is less sensitive to the inclusion or exclusion of a questionable resource. This method represents some loss of information but provides indications of the relative importance of various habitat types without classifying any as avoided. High elevation habitat (> 1700 masl) on moderate slopes (16 – 45°) received the highest ranks, as did “warm” (136 – 315°) aspects and forests > 250 years old. Three calves died shortly after birth. One calf appeared to have been killed by predation, likely by a Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and one calf was abandoned by the cow. Cause of death for the third calf is unknown. To assess habitat use associated with calving we compared summer locations with data obtained throughout the rest of 1999 for eight cows with calves and eight without calves. We found significant difference in use of elevation during calving time, when cows with calves remained at high elevations and barren cows generally descended to lower elevation habitat. Surveys conducted in 2005, five years after the completion of the initial study, produced a count of approximately 90 Caribou. This suggests that in the short term, the translocation was successful in re-establishing a self-sustaining Caribou population in the Telkwa Mountains.

scholarly journals Winter Habitat Use by Moose, Alces alces, in Central Interior British Columbia

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx ◽  
Rhonda M. Kariz
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Pine Stands

In central British Columbia, recent epidemics of Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) have resulted in the use of expansive clearcut areas to remove infested mature and old Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) stands. This study aimed to determine if Moose (Alces alces) use late-successional Lodgepole Pine stands in mid- to late-winter. Moose activity and habitat use was determined during February-March track surveys in 2000 (60 km) and 2001 (55.7 km). In 2000 (69 tracks) and 2001 (313 tracks), Moose track distribution differed significantly (P < 0.05) from random. They were significantly more abundant than predicted in young stands (dominated by Picea spp.), or early seral stages; they were less abundant than predicted in mature and old Lodgepole Pine stands. It is unlikely that harvesting late-successional Lodgepole Pine stands would affect Moose winter habitat supply.

Influence of Cover Complexity and Current Velocity on Winter Habitat Use by Juvenile Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1551-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. McMahon ◽  
Gordon F. Hartman
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Kisutch ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Stream Channels ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Wood Debris

Winter habitat use by juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) varied with cover type and flow level in outdoor stream channels. Cover utilization and the number of fish remaining in stream channels increased significantly as cover complexity increased. Most fish emigrated during a simulated freshet unless the most complex cover (low velocity, shade, and wood debris combined) was available. At both high and low flows, emigration occurred primarily during the rapid decline in light levels at twilight. Most coho formed aggregations beneath cover, exhibiting feeding and aggression at temperatures as low as 2.5 °C. We conclude that (1) social interactions, in concert with habitat features, influence the abundance of coho salmon within specific stream habitats in winter, and (2) structural complexity of wood debris is an important consideration for management practices designed to protect or enhance winter habitat for this species.

scholarly journals Forestry and caribou in British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Landscape Context ◽  
Stand Management ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Special Stand

Forest harvesting in mountain caribou range has been an issue for many years. Radiotelemetry studies on mountain caribou in the last decade have helped identify the geographic areas of conflict, improved understanding of the mechanisms by which forestry activities affect caribou, and suggested new approaches to management. Forest harvesting has begun to impact population of northern caribou, and researchers have begun to examine those impacts. Interest in integrating forest management and caribou habitat management has increased and has manifested itself in two ways: experimentation with special stand management practices intended to maintain or create caribou habitat, and the creation of tools to help managers make decisions in a landscape context.

Summer Bat Habitat Use and Forest Characteristics in Managed Northeastern Forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E Gallagher ◽  
Shannon L Farrell ◽  
René H Germain ◽  
Vanessa G Rojas
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Forest Management Practices ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Mature Stands ◽  
Forest Managers

Abstract There has been limited research investigating summer habitat use of bats in managed forests in the northeastern United States. Consequently, there is limited knowledge to inform forest managers seeking to maintain or enhance bat habitat, particularly for several federally threatened, endangered, or candidate species. In summer 2017–2018, we conducted repeated acoustic surveys to determine what forest characteristics are associated with bat habitat use in managed forests in the Adirondack region of upstate New York. We modeled detection corrected probability of occupancy for bats in three phonic groups: high, mid, and low frequency. Across all phonic groups, probability of occupancy increased with decreasing canopy cover. High-, mid-, and low-frequency bats were more likely to use recently harvested sites (&lt;10 years since harvest). High-frequency bats also used mature stands. Midfrequency bats demonstrated a preference for further distances from forest roads, whereas low-frequency bats preferred areas with a higher percentage of clutter. Our results suggest that tending and regenerating even-aged forest management practices can provide habitat for foraging bats in the Adirondacks. Study Implications: Several northeastern bat species have been granted or are candidates for federal endangered or threatened status; therefore, forest managers may increasingly need to consider how forest management actions affect bats. This research elucidates the effects of forest management practices on summer bat habitat use in northeastern forests. Foresters can use this information to limit negative impacts to bat habitat from management actions and identify management opportunities that protect or enhance bat habitat. All bat species we studied showed higher probability of use in stands with lower percent canopy cover, including stands recently harvested with the shelterwood method. However, special attention is owed to postharvest management to maintain suitable conditions, particularly concerning American beech. It is common in northeastern forests for beech to sprout root suckers following harvesting activities that can result in dense thickets, impeding bat flight abilities and limiting habitat connectivity for bats and other wildlife. Our findings also show that several bat species forage in mature stands that have a natural open understory and in areas around or near waterbodies. Consequently, even-aged tending and regeneration techniques in hardwood and mixed-wood forests, coupled with maintenance of nearby aquatic habitats, can provide habitat for bats.

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