scholarly journals Managing second-growth forests as caribou habitat

Rangifer ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Stand Management ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests

Habitat management for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in southeastern British Columbia has generally focussed on protecting old-growth forests from logging. As that strategy becomes more difficult to maintain, biologists are beginning to explore opportunities to manage second-growth stands to provide arboreal lichens and other habitat resources important to caribou. Special harvesting and stand management practices are being developed and formulated into strategies for maintaining caribou populations in managed stands.

scholarly journals Population dynamics of the endangered mountain ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in British Columbia, Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiko Wittmer ◽  
BN McLellan ◽  
DR Seip ◽  
JA Young ◽  
TA Kinley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Annual Survival

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.

Comparison of pre-fire and post-fire space use reveals varied responses by woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the Boreal Shield

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (11) ◽  
pp. 751-760
Author(s):  
J.A. Silva ◽  
S.E. Nielsen ◽  
P.D. McLoughlin ◽  
A.R. Rodgers ◽  
C. Hague ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Boreal Shield ◽  
Calving Season

By regulating successional dynamics in Canada’s boreal forest, fires can affect the distribution of the Threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)). Caribou tend to avoid areas burned within the last 40 years; however, few studies have compared pre-fire and post-fire caribou observations. In this study, we used caribou GPS locations from the Boreal Shield of Saskatchewan, Canada, to assess the short-term response of caribou to areas that burned while they were collared (hereafter recent burns). We used a “before–after, control–impact” design to compare the overlap of pre-fire and post-fire seasonal home ranges to the overlap of year-to-year seasonal home ranges. Caribou rarely encountered recent burns and when they did, they adjusted their space use in variable and complex ways that were largely indistinguishable from regular, interannual variation. Caribou tended to reduce use of recent burns in summer–autumn and winter, but not during the calving season, in some cases shifting their home range to incorporate more burned habitat. We conclude that recently burned areas (<5 years) may provide habitat value to woodland caribou, particularly during the calving season, requiring a more flexible approach to interpret fire in habitat management strategies.

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.

scholarly journals Factors influencing variation in site fidelity of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in southeastern British Columbia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiko Wittmer ◽  
B McLellan ◽  
F Hovey
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Woodland Caribou

Where predation is a major limiting factor, it has been postulated that woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) reduce movements to minimize contact with predators and exhibit fidelity to seasonal ranges. We examined fidelity behaviour within season and among years of woodland caribou based on locations of 65 radio-collared individuals in British Columbia, Canada. We used average linear distances between all possible pairs of radiolocations of individuals to assess fidelity. Among-year interlocation distances were similar to within-season interlocation distances during summer, indicating that caribou did not shift their distribution during seasons when they were most vulnerable to predation. Among-year interlocation distances were significantly greater than within-season interlocation distances during both early winter and late winter, indicating that individual caribou shifted their distribution among winters. The amount that an individual's distribution shifted among winters varied among and within individuals over different years. During early winter this behavioural plasticity was correlated with snow accumulation, with individuals having greater interlocation distances in years with high snow accumulation. Our results indicate that site fidelity outside the calving season is unlikely solely influenced by predator avoidance. We suggest that seasonal shifts in the importance of limiting factors vary from predation in summer to food in winter. © 2006 NRC.

scholarly journals Factors influencing variation in site fidelity of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in southeastern British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiko U. Wittmer ◽  
Bruce N. McLellan ◽  
Frederick W. Hovey
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Woodland Caribou

Where predation is a major limiting factor, it has been postulated that woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) reduce movements to minimize contact with predators and exhibit fidelity to seasonal ranges. We examined fidelity behaviour within season and among years of woodland caribou based on locations of 65 radio-collared individuals in British Columbia, Canada. We used average linear distances between all possible pairs of radiolocations of individuals to assess fidelity. Among-year interlocation distances were similar to within-season interlocation distances during summer, indicating that caribou did not shift their distribution during seasons when they were most vulnerable to predation. Among-year interlocation distances were significantly greater than within-season interlocation distances during both early winter and late winter, indicating that individual caribou shifted their distribution among winters. The amount that an individual’s distribution shifted among winters varied among and within individuals over different years. During early winter this behavioural plasticity was correlated with snow accumulation, with individuals having greater interlocation distances in years with high snow accumulation. Our results indicate that site fidelity outside the calving season is unlikely solely influenced by predator avoidance. We suggest that seasonal shifts in the importance of limiting factors vary from predation in summer to food in winter.

Addendum to “Managing wolves (Canis lupus) to recover threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Alberta”

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Hervieux ◽  
Mark Hebblewhite ◽  
Dave Stepnisky ◽  
Michelle Bacon ◽  
Stan Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Journal Editor ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Recovery Strategy ◽  
Effective Assessment ◽  
Independent University

Managing predators to restore threatened or endangered species is often controversial. Hervieux et al. (2014; Can. J. Zool. 92(12): 1029–1037) report on the efficacy of wolf (Canis lupus L., 1758) reduction as a recovery strategy in the Little Smoky population of boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) range in Alberta, which generated a lot of media attention. As such, the authors were invited by the journal editor who handled the original paper to write this addendum to provide clarification regarding the methodology used in the original paper. Wolf reduction was conducted by Government personnel in accordance with appropriate policy and laws (i.e., federal and provincial Species at Risk Acts; Alberta Wildlife Act; Alberta Woodland Caribou Policy). University-based researchers were involved only in data analysis and writing, and thus did not require approval by a university-based animal welfare board. Collaboration between independent university-based scientists and government biologists is essential to effective assessment of such controversial management practices. Hervieux et al. (2014; Can. J. Zool. 92(12): 1029–1037) in fact concluded that such wolf reductions, by themselves, would only “buy time” and would not restore woodland caribou alone without effective habitat protection.

Activity levels of Marbled Murrelets in different inland habitats in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 977-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Rodway ◽  
Heidi M. Regehr ◽  
Jean-Pierre L. Savard
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Marbled Murrelet ◽  
Queen Charlotte Islands ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests ◽  
Marbled Murrelets

We compared Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) activity levels in May, June, and July 1990 in four habitats in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia: alpine, old-growth forest at high elevation, old-growth forest at low elevation, and second-growth forest. The number of Marbled Murrelet detections was highest in old-growth forests. In alpine areas, small numbers of murrelet detections were mostly of distant birds flying over low-elevation forest. Numbers of detections were higher in low-elevation than in high-elevation old-growth forests in May and July, but not in June. Proportions of detections within smaller radii of survey stations were higher in low elevation forest in all months. The highest activity levels were associated with old-growth forest stands of large Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). The few detections that occurred in second-growth forests were mostly of distant birds. Stations in second-growth forest close to stands of old-growth forest had more frequent detections than stations with no old-growth forest nearby. Our results support the association of Marbled Murrelets with old-growth forests. Limitations of the survey methodology are discussed.

Long-term recovery of vegetation communities after harvesting in the coastal temperate rainforests of northern British Columbia

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 3098-3111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Banner ◽  
Philip LePage
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Thuja Plicata ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Terrestrial Vegetation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests ◽  
Young Forests ◽  
Logging Disturbance

We sampled second-growth forests ranging in age from 28 to 98 years and compared them with old-growth forests to quantify rates of terrestrial vegetation recovery following harvesting on the northcentral coast of British Columbia. Species richness approximately doubles, while Simpson’s index of diversity increases from 0.81 to 0.91 from young to old forests. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordinations showed differentiation, with some overlap, of old-growth and second-growth forests and a fairly strong correlation of stand age with plot scores, driven by plant species presence and cover. Vegetation succession following logging disturbance is driven primarily by predisturbance species composition; most species found in the young forests are present in old forests and the higher species richness typical of old growth is largely due to the establishment of additional cryptogam and herb species of low cover and constancy. Significantly higher cover of shrub, herb, and bryophyte species differentiates old forests from second-growth forests. Forests 41–100 years old average 63%–73% similarity (depending on site type) to old-growth forests based on species presence–absence and 53%–58% similarity based on species cover. The scarcity of western redcedar ( Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) in second-growth stands is of particular concern because of the high ecological, cultural, and economic importance of this tree species.

scholarly journals The West Central Alberta Woodland Caribou Landscape Plan: Using a Modeling Approach to Develop Alternative Scenarios

Rangifer ◽  
2011 ◽  
pp. 103-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Hubbs ◽  
Piotr Weclaw ◽  
Michael Sullivan ◽  
Nicole McCutchen
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Fire Control ◽  
The West ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
West Central ◽  
Alternative Scenarios

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are classified as threatened in Alberta. In support of Canada's Species at Risk Act, a Recovery Plan for Woodland Caribou in Alberta was completed in 2004 which required local implementation plans to be completed within 5 areas of the province. The West Central Alberta Caribou Landscape Plan (WCCLP) is the first of these to be initiated and it addresses the recovery strategies for 4 herds. Two aspatial computer models built on the STELLA© modelling platform (ISee Systems, 2007) were used to assist the planning team in evaluating cumulative effects and alternative scenarios for caribou conservation. The ALCES© (Forem Technologies 2008) modelling tool was used to forecast potential changes in the west central Alberta landscape over time. Yearly landscape condition outputs from ALCES© were then exported into a caribou-specific population model, REMUS© (Weclaw, 2004), that was used to project potential population responses by woodland caribou, other primary prey species [moose (Alces alces), elk (Cervus elaphus) and deer (Odocoileus sp.)] and wolves (Canis lupus) (Weclaw & Hudson, 2004). Simulated habitat management strategies that resulted in the highest likelihood of caribou recovery included the maintenance of a high proportion of old forest, the aggregation of industrial footprints and the reclamation of historic seismic lines (although the latter took decades to provide real dividends). Sharing of industrial roads, protection of fragments of old-growth, and expanding an already aggressive fire control strategy in Alberta had little additional effect on caribou recovery. Simulated population management strategies that were successful all involved decades of intensive wolf control, either directly or indirectly through intensive primary prey control (with the exception of woodland caribou) until old-growth forests recovered to densities that provided caribou habitat and decreased alternate prey of wolves. Although this modelling approach makes broad assumptions, it provides simple fundamental relationships that were useful in a multi-stakeholder team setting when evaluating the efficacy of different management strategies for the conservation of woodland caribou.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document