Woodland caribou: Facts for forest managers

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. G. Cumming

A literature review points to predation as the proximate factor controlling woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations in most cases, but that finding does not obviate the need for caribou to be included in forest management. Managers must consider the indirect effects of forest operations on caribou through their impacts on caribou mortality factors, such as prédation. Lichens remain important. Habitat destruction may in some cases be the ultimate cause of population decline. Reactions of caribou to disturbance vary, and remain controversial; more research is needed. Multiple resource managers of boreal commercial forests should identify sensitive components of caribou range – calving grounds, rutting locations, wintering areas, and travel routes among them – and prescribe for these areas in forest management plans. Ways of accommodating caribou in commercial forests are not well established, but some examples suggest how this might be done. Most importantly, areas that have been proven by their continued use to contain all necessary requirements for caribou survival should not be physically altered until their essential qualities and functions are better understood. Key words: Rangifer tarandus caribou, woodland caribou, predation, forest management.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiko Wittmer ◽  
BN McLellan ◽  
DR Seip ◽  
JA Young ◽  
TA Kinley ◽  
...  

We used census results and radiotelemetry locations of >380 collared individuals sampled over the entire distribution of the endangered mountain ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) in British Columbia, Canada, to delineate population structure and document the size and trend of the identified populations. We also describe the spatial pattern of decline and the causes and timing of adult mortality and provide estimates of vital rates necessary to develop a population viability analysis. Our results indicate that the abundance of mountain caribou in British Columbia is declining. We found adult female annual survival rates below annual survival rates commonly reported for large ungulates. The major proximate cause of population decline appears to be predation on adult caribou. Spatial patterns of population dynamics revealed a continuous range contraction and an increasing fragmentation of mountain caribou into smaller, isolated subpopulations. The population fragmentation process predominantly occurs at the outer boundaries of the current distribution. Our results indicate that recovery strategies for mountain caribou should be directed at factors contributing to the fragmentation and isolation of mountain caribou populations as well as management strategies aimed at increasing adult survival. © 2005 NRC Canada.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiko Wittmer ◽  
BN McLellan ◽  
DR Seip ◽  
JA Young ◽  
TA Kinley ◽  
...  

We used census results and radiotelemetry locations of >380 collared individuals sampled over the entire distribution of the endangered mountain ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) in British Columbia, Canada, to delineate population structure and document the size and trend of the identified populations. We also describe the spatial pattern of decline and the causes and timing of adult mortality and provide estimates of vital rates necessary to develop a population viability analysis. Our results indicate that the abundance of mountain caribou in British Columbia is declining. We found adult female annual survival rates below annual survival rates commonly reported for large ungulates. The major proximate cause of population decline appears to be predation on adult caribou. Spatial patterns of population dynamics revealed a continuous range contraction and an increasing fragmentation of mountain caribou into smaller, isolated subpopulations. The population fragmentation process predominantly occurs at the outer boundaries of the current distribution. Our results indicate that recovery strategies for mountain caribou should be directed at factors contributing to the fragmentation and isolation of mountain caribou populations as well as management strategies aimed at increasing adult survival. © 2005 NRC Canada.


2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiko U Wittmer ◽  
Bruce N McLellan ◽  
Dale R Seip ◽  
James A Young ◽  
Trevor A Kinley ◽  
...  

We used census results and radiotelemetry locations of >380 collared individuals sampled over the entire distribution of the endangered mountain ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) in British Columbia, Canada, to delineate population structure and document the size and trend of the identified populations. We also describe the spatial pattern of decline and the causes and timing of adult mortality and provide estimates of vital rates necessary to develop a population viability analysis. Our results indicate that the abundance of mountain caribou in British Columbia is declining. We found adult female annual survival rates below annual survival rates commonly reported for large ungulates. The major proximate cause of population decline appears to be predation on adult caribou. Spatial patterns of population dynamics revealed a continuous range contraction and an increasing fragmentation of mountain caribou into smaller, isolated subpopulations. The population fragmentation process predominantly occurs at the outer boundaries of the current distribution. Our results indicate that recovery strategies for mountain caribou should be directed at factors contributing to the fragmentation and isolation of mountain caribou populations as well as management strategies aimed at increasing adult survival.


1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. G. Cumming ◽  
D. B. Beange

Telemetry, sightings, and tracks in snow from 1978–81, with subsequent observations until 1991, showed that woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) did not use cut portions of traditional wintering areas for 12 years after cutting. Two attempts by management personnel to modify commercial cutting patterns for caribou failed to prevent abandoning cut areas. In four instances where entire wintering areas were cut, caribou sightings and tracks decreased drastically or ceased entirely. Caribou in unlogged areas have shown no similar declines. Minimal efforts to ensure caribou survival in commercial forests should include deferral of cutting in caribou wintering areas, protection of calving areas, and accelerated research. Keywords: woodland caribou, forest management, threatened population, wildlife conservation


1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray W. Lankester ◽  
Stu Luttich

Fifty-eight percent of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of the George River herd, Labrador, were infected with up to 110 giant American liver flukes (Fascioloides magna). The prevalence and intensity of infection did not differ between 2 sampling years or between sexes. Prevalence tended to increase with age while intensity did not differ among age groups. Liver weight increased with intensity of infection but condition, as measured by the mean depth of back fat, did not differ between infected and uninfected animals. Caribou must be considered a suitable host of F. magna since the growth and maturation of the parasite and lesions produced in Rangifer resemble those in deer and wapiti.


1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia J. Holman ◽  
Kris Petrini ◽  
Jack Rhyan ◽  
Q. G. Wagner

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