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

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.

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Multi-scale habitat use analysis and interspecific Ecology of the Critically Endangered Black-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis nigrivestis

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270914000367 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 479-488 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

ESTEBAN A. GUEVARA ◽

ELISA BONACCORSO ◽

JOOST F. DUIVENVOORDEN

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Habitat Degradation ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Selection Process ◽

Habitat Model ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Use Patterns ◽

Multi Scale ◽

The North ◽

Competition Hypothesis

SummaryThe Black-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis nigrivestis is a hummingbird endemic to Ecuador and considered Critically Endangered, given its limited distribution, low population numbers, and ongoing habitat degradation. We investigated habitat use patterns using landscape and microhabitat variables. In addition, we explored a previously postulated competition hypothesis involving the Black-breasted Puffleg and the Gorgeted Sunangel Heliangelus strophianus. Our results suggest that landscape variables may play a role in the habitat selection process; specifically the distance to nearest forest border seems to have a significant effect on our habitat model. We speculate that, as the species is known to perform seasonal movements, the avoidance of forest border might reduce the physiological stress caused by altitudinal migration. At microhabitat level, Black-breasted Puffleg seems not sensitive to forest structure variables. Our findings suggest that ensuring forest tract connectivity, between the altitudinal extremes of the species’ range at the north-western flanks of the Pichincha volcano, might be crucial for survival of the species during its annual cycle. However, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) indicates that Black-breasted Puffleg and the Gorgeted Sunangel do not overlap spatially, but this finding is not conclusive considering our field observations.

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Habitat selection and home-range dynamics of the Gaspé caribou: a hierarchical analysis

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z03-065 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 81 (7) ◽

pp. 1174-1184 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Arnaud Mosnier ◽

Jean-Pierre Ouellet ◽

Luc Sirois ◽

Nelson Fournier

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Large Diameter ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽

Management Plans ◽

Forested Areas ◽

Range Dynamics ◽

Snow Conditions

We used several spatial and temporal scales to determine space and habitat use of the caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of the Gaspé Peninsula. Thirty-five radio-collared caribou were followed from November 1998 to April 2001. Habitat use was studied by superimposing radiolocations on ecoforestry maps using five predefined habitat types (deciduous, immature, mature spruce, mature fir, and barren). At a finer scale, we tracked caribou in forested areas during winter 2000 and 2001 in order to describe physical and biological characteristics of foraging tracks and used stands. Our results indicated that the distribution of caribou extended beyond the limits of Gaspé Conservation Park. Patterns of space use showed the existence of three groups, which formed a metapopulation. These groups consisted of spatially distinct units that used space and habitat differently. At the home-range level, caribou preferred barren areas found in alpine and subalpine zones at all times of the year. The most frequently used forested habitat type was the mature fir. At the finer scale of foraging tracks, caribou selected fir stands characterized by dense snow conditions and large diameter trees bearing greater quantities of lichen. Our results demonstrated the importance of protecting areas outside the park that are likely to become used or reused by caribou, and of managing these areas to increase settlement by caribou. Lastly, management plans must be adapted to each of the three groups forming this metapopulation.

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Comparison of seasonal habitat selection between threatened woodland caribou ecotypes in central British Columbia

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.27.4.325 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 111 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Elena S. Jones ◽

Michael P. Gillingham ◽

Dale R. Seip ◽

Douglas C. Heard

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Rocky Mountains ◽

Vegetation Cover ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Late Winter ◽

Woodland Caribou ◽

Recovery Planning ◽

Specific Mapping ◽

Selection Of

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in British Columbia have been classified into ecotypes based on differences in use of habitat in winter. Although recovery planning focuses on ecotypes, habitat use and selection varies within ecotypes. Our objectives were to compare habitat use and selection among previously identified woodland caribou herds at the transition zone between northern (Moberly, Quintette, and Kennedy herds) and mountain (Parsnip herd) ecotypes in central British Columbia. We developed selection models for each herd in spring, calving, summer/fall, early and late winter. Topographic models best predicted selection by most herds in most seasons, but importance of vegetation-cover was highlighted by disproportionate use of specific vegetation-cover types by all caribou herds (e.g., in early winter, 75% of Kennedy locations were in pine-leading stands, 84% of Parsnip locations were in fir and fir-leading stands, and 87 and 96% of locations were in alpine for the Moberly and Quintette herds, respectively). Using a combination of GPS and VHF radio-collar locations, we documented some spatial overlap among herds within the year, but use of vegetation-cover types and selection of elevations, aspects, and vegetation-cover types differed among herds and within ecotypes in all seasons. Habitat use and selection were most similar between the two northern-ecotype herds residing on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. This research indicates that habitat use and selection by caribou herds in all seasons is more variable than ecotype classifications suggest and demonstrates the value of undertaking herd-specific mapping of critical habitat for woodland caribou.

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The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the North Atlantic: Variability in habitat use, trophic ecology and contaminant exposure

NAMMCO Scientific Publications ◽

10.7557/3.2749 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 223 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Arne Bjørge

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

North Atlantic ◽

Coastal Waters ◽

Trophic Ecology ◽

Point Sources ◽

Phocoena Phocoena ◽

Cetacean Species ◽

Contaminant Exposure ◽

The North ◽

Management Plans

Harbour porpoises inhabit coastal waters, in habitats that are characterized by high diversity and complexity in terms of their bathymetry, substrate, fish communities and point sources of contaminants. The complexity in these habitats influences both the habitat use and feeding ecology of porpoises. Congregations of porpoises feeding primarily on one species are observed in some areas and seasons, while wide movements and diets composed of several species are observed in other areas. Due to these observations, this paper suggests that caution is needed when extrapolatingknowledge from one area to another with regard to porpoise habitat use, exposure to contaminants, and interactions with fisheries. Management plans should be site specific and based on local knowledge incorporating porpoise population structure, habitat use, and multiple environmental factors in order to ensure appropriate conservation of this abundant but still vulnerable small cetacean species.

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

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v121i2.440 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 121 (2) ◽

pp. 155 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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.

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

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v119i2.104 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 119 (2) ◽

pp. 186 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

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.

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Winter habitat use by female caribou in relation to wildland fires in interior Alaska

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z03-109 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 81 (7) ◽

pp. 1192-1201 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Kyle Joly ◽

Bruce W Dale ◽

William B Collins ◽

Layne G Adams

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Wildland Fire ◽

Very High Frequency ◽

Winter Habitat ◽

Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽

Burned Areas ◽

Winter Range ◽

Core Areas

The role of wildland fire in the winter habitat use of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) has long been debated. Fire has been viewed as detrimental to caribou because it destroys the slow-growing climax forage lichens that caribou utilize in winter. Other researchers argued that caribou were not reliant on lichens and that fire may be beneficial, even in the short term. We evaluated the distribution of caribou relative to recent fires (<50 years old) within the current winter range of the Nelchina caribou herd in east-central Alaska. To address issues concerning independence and spatial and temporal scales, we used both conventional very high frequency and global positioning system telemetry to estimate caribou use relative to recent, known-aged burns. In addition, we used two methods to estimate availability of different habitat classes. Caribou used recently burned areas much less than expected, regardless of methodologies used. Moreover, within burns, caribou were more likely to use habitat within 500 m of the burn perimeter than core areas. Methods for determining use and availability did not have large influences on our measures of habitat selectivity.

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

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z00-087 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 78 (9) ◽

pp. 1552-1561 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

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.

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