scholarly journals Managing Woodland Caribou in West-Central British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah B. Cichowski

Initial long term planning for logging on the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou winter range began in the early 1980s. Because little information was available on which to base winter range management, the British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch began studies on radio-collared caribou in 1983, and an intensive study on caribou winter habitat requirements was conducted from 1985 to 1988. Terrestrial lichens were identified as the primary winter food source for the caribou, and in 1987, caribou winter range ecosystem maps, which emphasized abundance of terrestrial lichens, were produced. The ecosystem maps and information from the caribou study, including potential direct and indirect effects of timber harvesting on the caribou population, were used to develop a management strategy for the winter range. The management strategy comprised two levels of management: a landscape level (Caribou Management Zones); and a site-specific level (caribou habitat/timber values). Timber information associated with BC Ministry of Forests forest cover maps was integrated using a Geographic Information System. Six winter range management options were proposed ranging from harvesting low value caribou habitats only throughout the winter range to total protection of the entire winter range. Impacts of those options on both the caribou population and on the timber supply were evaluated. The options were reviewed through a public planning process, the Entiako Local Resource Use Plan, and recommendations from that process were forwarded to the British Columbia Protected Areas Strategy.

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 1721-1725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold M. Armleder ◽  
Michaela J. Waterhouse ◽  
Dagmar G. Keisker ◽  
Richard J. Dawson

We analyzed winter habitat use by 23 radio-collared mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada, from February 1982 to March 1989. This research was essential to provide sound biological data for development of a selection silvicultural and planning system that would integrate timber harvesting with the habitat needs of mule deer. Habitat selection was analyzed by comparing deer use with habitat availability of various levels (categories) of the following variables: age, crown closure, species composition, slope, and aspect. Additionally, we compared the use of each category among snow classes. Regardless of snow depth class, use of old stands (> 140 years) by deer was greater than the availability of that age category. Also, the use of old stands was greater in moderate (26–40 cm) and deep (>40 cm) snow depth classes than in the low snow depth class. Areas of winter range dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were more often used than areas where other tree species were most common. In the deep snow class, use of both moderate and high crown closures categories exceeded their availability.


Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
G.A. McKinnon

Because of the declining population of mountain caribou in British Columbia and the increasing conflict between caribou management and timber harvesting, BC Environment recently has developed a new policy for mountain caribou management in the province. Three options were considered; 1) to manage habitats/populations to potential habitat suitability, 2) to manage habitats/populations to ensure that at least present levels are maintained and 3) to manage habitats/populations within a core area of the province only. The chosen strategy of managing habitats/populations to ensure that at least present levels are maintained is consistent with ministry goals and policies and will likely require that a network of protected areas, buffer areas and linking corridors be established. Initiatives to document existing mountain caribou distribution and to provide options for integrated caribou/timber solutions to management conflicts are ongoing. Successful implementation of this caribou management strategy will require the active participation of the Ministry of Forests since the protection of habitat is a shared responsibility.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darroch M. Whitaker ◽  
Ian G. Warkentin ◽  
Keith A. Hobson ◽  
Peter Thomas ◽  
Rinchen Boardman

Abstract The Newfoundland subspecies of Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus minimus) has declined since the 1980s and degradation of winter habitat has been suggested as a contributing stressor. However, the winter range of this subspecies is not well understood, so we fitted 29 males with archival GPS tags during summer 2016. Four tagged thrushes were recaptured in summer 2017 and, though all tags had missing locations and broken antennae, the data retrieved showed that one thrush wintered in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) in northern Colombia, one in the nearby Sierra de Perija in Venezuela, and a third may have settled in the same region. One tag provided locations until April 21 and that thrush was consistently detected within a ~1 ha area through the winter. Locations obtained during fall migration indicated that thrushes travelled to South America via Central America and possibly by directly crossing the Caribbean. Contemporary research indicates that the SNSM is an important migratory stopover for Northern Gray-cheeked Thrushes (C. m. aliciae) but a historical report coupled with our observations suggest winter use of the SNSM and adjacent areas in northern South America by C. m. minimus, though numbers may be lower than during the 1900s.


2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 548-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antony W Diamond

Research on forest bird ecology in the ACWERN (Atlantic Cooperative Wildlife Ecology Research Network) lab at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, since 1995 has focused on assessing the relative contributions of habitat quality at large (“landscape”) and small (“local” or “stand”) spatial scales. To do so we had to develop methods for assessing key demographic components of fitness (productivity and survival) at large spatial scales. The large extent of forest cover in the Maritimes contrasts with regions where such work has traditionally been carried out, in which forest is clearly fragmented by agriculture or residential development. Our main findings are that spatial effects in highly forested landscapes can often be detected only by using species-specific habitat models, rather than broader categories such as “mature” or “softwood”, that Blackburnian Warblers (Dendroica fusca) are effective indicators of mixedwood forest but define it differently than forest managers do, and that cavity nesters (e.g., woodpeckers) may require different habitat components for nesting and feeding and so cannot be managed for solely on the basis of providing snags for nesting. Our focus has shifted recently to intensive studies on a species at risk, Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli), which in New Brunswick breeds in man-made regenerating softwood forest stands, and assessing its response both to precommercial thinning of the breeding habitat and to effects carrying over from the winter habitat in the Caribbean. Key words: landscape effects, thresholds, survival, productivity, fitness, carry-over, habitat, fragmentation


2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G. Poole ◽  
Kari Stuart-Smith ◽  
Irene E. Teske

As with many ungulates inhabiting areas with potentially deep snow, winter is an important season for mountain goats ( Oreamnos americanus (de Blainville, 1816)) and is characterized by restricted movements and high juvenile mortality. We examined winter habitat selection and wintering strategies by mountain goats in two adjacent areas of southeastern British Columbia characterized by deep, moist snow and by shallow, dry snow. Fifteen GPS collars were placed on mountain goats in each area over two winters. Winter-range size did not differ between areas and comprised, on average, 2.2%–7.4% of male home range and 8.0%–14.1% of female home range. Topographic variables dominated habitat model selection. At the broad scale, mountain goats in both areas selected winter ranges closer to escape terrain on warmer aspects that contained lesser amounts of mature dense forest. At the fine scale, mountain goats in both areas selected rugged habitat at upper mid-elevations and on warmer aspects. Alpine areas were avoided in the deep snow area and selected in the shallow snow area. No selection for mature forests was observed in either area. Mountain goats, therefore, appeared to utilize open, high-elevation habitats in shallow snow zones, but they did not seek reduced snow levels in mature forest stands in deep snow areas.


1987 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt J. Jenkins ◽  
R. Gerald Wright

Abstract Rates of succession were determined during the period 1945-80 in six floodplain plant communities along the North Fork of the Flathead River, Montana. A succession model was developed to forecast the long-range effects of land-use change on the carrying capacity of white-tailed deer winter range. The areas occupied by mature spruce (Picea englemannii x glauca hybrid) and spruce-black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) forests on the floodplain were relatively constant between 1945-1980. Early seral types were more variable due to short-term variations in river flow. Successional modelling demonstrated the effects of two timber harvesting strategies on white-tailed deer populations. Simulated populations declined following two timber harvesting schedules, but recovered after cessation of harvest. An additional application of the model showed the potential effects of increased erosion rates on deer populations and demonstrated the versatility of land succession models for resource monitoring. West. J. Appl. For. 2(3):80-83, July 1987


2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 188-195
Author(s):  
Stephen P. Prisley ◽  
David R. Daversa ◽  
Michael J. Mortimer

Abstract Local governments may enact ordinances that have a substantial impact on forestry operations. Direct estimation of the economic impact of ordinances requires site-specific forest inventory data and management assumptions. In this study, we attempt to quantify, for four counties in Virginia,the forest area that would be subjected to timber harvesting restrictions under local ordinances. Ordinances that restrict timber harvesting within buffer zones of roads, streams, and property boundaries were simulated for four study counties. Using GIS overlay analysis with forest cover data,estimates of forest area within these buffers were obtained. In addition to this direct effect, we considered indirect effects of ordinances as they fragment potential forest management parcels to small sizes (<20 ac) deemed less conducive to operational forest management. Direct effectsranged from 9 to 33% of operable forest area and averaged 21% of operable forest area. Indirect effects averaged 7% of operable forest area, or ⅓ of the direct effect. Ordinances focused on protecting visual quality affected twice as much forest area as ordinancesdirected toward preserving water quality. Of the total forest area in these four counties, 13.6% lies in protected areas, 27.7% is in inoperable small parcels (prior to ordinances), and 16.7% is affected directly or indirectly by ordinances, leaving only 42% offorest area potentially available for management. South. J. Appl. For. 30(4):182–187.


1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 485-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Douglas Walker ◽  
Stephen W. Preiss

A mathematical model was constructed and used to help plan five-year timber harvesting and delivery activities from an industrially managed public forest in Ontario. Harvest systems, harvest levels, and wood flows from compartments within the forest to various mills and delivery points were scheduled to minimize costs. The mathematical structure of the model may suggest applications to related forest planning problems. The model was useful in addressing the planning problem, and model results were used within the company's planning process. Data accuracy problems precluded assessing definitively the expected cost savings resulting from model use.


2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 1228-1239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clayton D Apps ◽  
Nancy J Newhouse ◽  
Trevor A Kinley

American badgers (Taxidea taxus) are endangered in British Columbia due to habitat loss and human-caused mortality. To better understand human impacts and to promote conservation planning, we described badger habitat relationships. At two spatial scales, we analyzed selection by 12 radio-implanted resident badgers for soil composition, forest overstory, land cover, vegetation productivity, terrain, and human influence. At a broad (23.8 km2) landscape scale, soil parent-material associations were positive with glaciolacustrine and glaciofluvial and negative with colluvial. Soil-order associations were positive with brunisols and regosols and negative with podzols and luvisols. Association with fine sandy-loam texture was positive. Associations were negative with forested habitats and positive with open range, agricultural habitats, and linear disturbances. Associations were negative with elevation, slope, terrain ruggedness, and both vegetation productivity and moisture. At a fine (14.5 ha) scale, associations were positive with glaciofluvial, fine sandy-loam textured, and well-drained soils. Associations were negative with colluvial soils, forest cover, vegetation moisture, elevation, and ruggedness. Associations with open range and southern aspects were positive. The linear combination of a subset of variables could explain and predict habitat selection. At this range extent, natural conditions may restrict badger occurrence, increasing badger sensitivity to human factors that influence habitat quality and mortality.


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