scholarly journals Progress towards the experimental reintroduction of woodland caribou to Minnesota and adjacent Ontario

Rangifer ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Jordan ◽  
James L. Nelson ◽  
John Pastor
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Fire Suppression ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Feasibility Studies ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
The North

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) are native to Minnesota but started to decline in the mid 1800s and disappeared from the state by 1940. Their demise had been attributed to extensive timber harvest and ovethunting; but more recently mortality from the meningeal worm, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, carried by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and increased prédation by timber wolves (Canis lupus) and black bears (Ursus americanus) have been suggested as additional causes. We describe a current initiative to explore feasibility of restoring caribou to the boundary waters region of Minnesota and Ontario. Feasibility studies have been conducted under the guidance of the North Central Catibou Corporation (NCCC), a non-governmental organization with representation from relevant state, federal, Native American, and Canadian agencies. Results indicate a) Within Minnesota the most suitable site for woodland caribou lies within the eastern sector of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and this is contiguous with a similarly suitable sector of Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park: Together these comprise the recommended 1300-km2 Boundary Waters Caribou Region (BWCR); b) Vegetation in the BWCR has changed little since the 1920s when caribou were last present other than effects of fire suppression; c) Level of white-tailed deer, hence the meningeal worm, is so low in the BWCR that this factor is unlikely to impede survival of re-introduced caribou; d) While wolf numbers within the wider region are relatively high, their impacts may be minimized if caribou are released in small, widely scattered groups; in addition, an abundance of lakes with islands affords good summer-time prédation security; e) Threat to calves from black bears, probably more numerous than in earlier times, appears lessened by the security of lakeshores and islands; and f) A simulation model, combining knowledge from elsewhere with the BWCR assessment, suggests that released animals have a 0.2 to 0.8 chance of increasing in numbers during the first 20 years post-release. Strategies for maximizing success are identified. NCCC has concluded that the only practical approach that remains for determining restoration feasibility is through experimental releases or caribou. While promise of eventual success appears only moderate, the NCCC feels that costs and uncertainties associated with the experiment are justified by the environmental benefits from a success. Even if the effort fails, valuable knowledge would accrue for conservation biologists in general. An action plan is outlined, and progress and problems in selling the caribou initiative are discussed.

scholarly journals Refugial origin and postglacial colonization of holarctic reindeer and caribou

Rangifer ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut H. Røed
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
The North ◽  
Morphological Differences

The classification and colonization of reindeer and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) was assessed from analysis of both proteins, nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA. I demonstrate that the current subspecies designations are not compatible with the differentiation at these markers, suggesting that the morphological differences among extant subspecies did not evolve in separate glacial refugia. Thus, morphological differences among extant subspecies probably evolved as adaptive responses to post-glacial environmental changes. An exception to this is the North American woodland caribou, where all three marker systems support a subspecies-specific refugium as the ancestral origin of these animals. Three major mtDNA haplogroups reported, represent three separate origins of the species during the last glaciation. The most influential origin has contributed to the gene pool of all extant subspecies, suggesting the existence of a large and continuous glacial population ranging across extensive areas of tundra in Eurasia and Beringia. The North American tundra forms (R.t. granti and groenlandicus) and the arctic forms (R.t platyrhynchus, R.t pearyi and R.t eogroenlandicus) almost exclusively comprise haplotypes of such an origin. Another small and isolated refugium seems to have arisen in western Eurasia in close connection to the extensive ice sheet that covered Fennoscandia. The two Eurasian subspecies R.t. tarandus and R.t. fennicus appear to have a diphyletic origin as both the putatively small and isolated Eurasian refugium and the large Beringia refugium have contributed to their gene pools. A third distinct and geographically well-defined refugial area was probably located south to the extensive North American continental ice sheet from where the ancestors of the present North American woodland caribou (R.t. caribou) likely originated.Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Systematisk inndeling og kolonisering av rein (Rangifer tarandus) ble bestemt ved å analysere for variasjon i genetiske markører som proteiner, kjerneDNA og mitokondrieDNA. Dagens oppdeling av rein i underarter viser liten overensstemmelse med variasjonsmønsteret i de undersøkte markørene, noe som viser at de morfologiske forskjellene som karakteriserer dagens underarter ikke har utviklet seg i atskilte refugier i løpet av siste istid. Unntak fra dette er nordamerikansk skogsrein (woodland caribou-R.t. caribou) hvor alle tre markørsystemene indikerer at denne har utviklet seg i et refugium forskjellig fra andre underarter. De tre registrerte hovedhaplogruppene i mitokondrie-DNA representerer tre atskilte opprinnelser av rein i løpet av siste istid. Den mest innflytelsesrike av disse bidro vesentlig til genbanken til alle dagens underarter av rein, noe som tyder på at det under siste istid eksisterte en stor reinpopulasjon med kontinuerlig utbredelse gjennom store deler av tundraen i Eurasia og Beringia. De nordamerikanske tundrareintypene (R.t. granti og R.t. groenlandicus), samt de arktiske typene (R.t. platyrhunchus, R.t. pearyi og R.t. eogroenlandicus) består nærmest utelukkende av haplotyper med denne opprinnelse. Et annet lite og isolert refugium syntes å ha oppstått i Vest-Europa i nærheten av den omfattende isbreen som dekket Fennoskandia. De to europeiske underarter, R.t. tarandus og R.t. fennicus, syntes å ha en todelt opprinnelse med genetisk påvirkning fra både det antatt lille og isolerte refugiet i Eurasia samt fra det store Beringia refugiet. Et tredje geografisk distinkt refugium var antagelig lokalisert sør for den omfattende isbreen i Nord Amerika hvorfra forfedrene til dagens nordamerikanske skogsrein (R.t. caribou) har sin mest sannsynlige opprinnelse.

Spring diet of American black bears (Ursus americanus) in a moose (Alces alces) – woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) system in northern Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 721-728
Author(s):  
A.A.D. McLaren ◽  
S.E. Jamieson ◽  
M. Bond ◽  
A.R. Rodgers ◽  
B.R. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ursus Americanus ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
American Black ◽  
American Black Bears

American black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) are opportunistic foragers, and across most of their range in North America, their diet is predominantly vegetation with limited consumption of vertebrates and invertebrates. However, they are also predators of ungulates, especially neonates, with regional variation in the amount of predation pressure they exert. We used scat analysis to examine the diet of black bears during the calving season in a moose (Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758)) – woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) system in the Boreal forest of northern Ontario, Canada. Bears consumed herbaceous plants (46.5%), fruits and (or) seeds (20.0%), moose (3.3% adults; 4.3% calves), American beaver (Castor canadensis Kuhl, 1820; 8.5%), and insects (mostly ants; 4.2%). Bears had the highest consumption of moose and beaver in early spring, before switching to a more vegetation-dominated diet. We did not detect evidence of caribou consumption. Based on our results, black bear consumption of moose, particularly neonates, may warrant further investigation.

scholarly journals Winter distribution of woodland caribou in relation to clear-cut logging in west-central Alberta

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1433-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirby G Smith ◽  
E Janet Ficht ◽  
David Hobson ◽  
Troy C Sorensen ◽  
David Hervieux
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
West Central

The responses of a herd of migratory woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) to timber harvesting that fragmented about 11% of their winter range in west-central Alberta were examined in this study. From 1981 to 1996, 45 caribou were radio-collared and monitored during the initiation and completion of first-pass timber harvest (50% removal). Variables examined were home-range size, daily movement rates, and distance to the nearest cut block for radio-collared individuals. Daily movement rates and individual winter range sizes decreased as timber harvesting progressed. Caribou avoided using recently fragmented areas by an average of 1.2 km. If fragmentation of the winter range continues through timber harvesting and other industrial activities, the "spacing out" antipredator strategy used by caribou may be compromised. Based on these findings, timber-harvesting strategies are recommended that (i) ensure an adequate area of usable habitat to support the current population, (ii) minimize the amount of fragmented area, and (iii) in the short term avoid presently defined core use areas.

scholarly journals Intrinsic traits of woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou calves depredated by black bears Ursus americanus and coyotes Canis latrans

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Mumma ◽  
Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau ◽  
Steve E. Gullage ◽  
Colleen E. Soulliere ◽  
Shane P. Mahoney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ursus Americanus ◽  
Canis Latrans ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou

Habitat selection and spatial relationships of black bears (Ursus americanus) with woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northeastern Alberta

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.D.M. Latham ◽  
M.C. Latham ◽  
M.S. Boyce
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ursus Americanus ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Spatial Relationships ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Northeastern Alberta

Populations of woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) have declined across much of their range. Wolves ( Canis lupus L., 1758) are believed to be responsible for the majority of mortality in adult female caribou; however, we hypothesize that other predators such as black bears ( Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) may be important contributors to calf mortality. We assessed habitat selection by black bears and spatial relationships of caribou – black bears during the caribou calving season in northeastern Alberta, Canada. Black bears avoided bogs and fens, while selecting upland mixed woods and various industrial features. Conversely, caribou showed strong selection for bogs and fens relative to bears, supporting the hypothesis that caribou in the boreal forest attempt to minimize predation risk by selecting peatlands to avoid areas frequented by predators. However, habitat selection by individual black bears was highly variable and some bears selected habitats similar to those selected by caribou, i.e., bogs and fens. Bears that specialize on foraging in peatlands might be responsible for some of the predation on caribou calves. Because declines in caribou populations have resulted from a combination of high adult female and calf mortalities, management actions to conserve woodland caribou should consider the entire suite of potential predators rather than focusing only on wolves.

scholarly journals A replanning approach for maximizing woodland caribou habitat alongside timber production

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 901-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Martin ◽  
Jonathan L.W. Ruppert ◽  
Eldon A. Gunn ◽  
David L. Martell
Keyword(s):  
Linear Programming ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Programming Model ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Harvest Scheduling ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Habitat Amount ◽  
Trout Lake ◽  
Preferred Habitat

We present a forest harvest scheduling model that meets timber harvest targets while maximizing a proxy measure of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) habitat based on the configuration of preferred habitat on the landscape. Woodland caribou within the boreal forest region in Canada tend to prefer mature jack pine forest stands, which tend to be rich in their preferred resource, lichen, and also reduce predation pressure. This can create conflict with industrial wood supply needs. We designed a model that can be used to identify good harvest scheduling plans given these competing objectives. Our approach is to use a series of sequential linear programming models that are solved within a replanning framework. Specifically, each individual linear programming model seeks to produce a solution that will meet timber harvest targets while minimizing the harvest of high-quality woodland caribou habitat stands. Stands are assessed with respect to their suitability as woodland caribou habitat based on their contribution to the overall landscape equivalent connected area (ECA), a combined spatial measure of preferred habitat amount and its connectivity. We used our model for a case study of the Trout Lake Forest in northwestern Ontario, Canada, and found that our model creates approximately 10% more caribou habitat than an earlier heuristic procedure and 30% more caribou habitat than the prevailing woodland caribou habitat forest management plan in the Trout Lake Forest while meeting the same timber harvest targets.

scholarly journals Integrating woodland caribou needs and forestry: perspectives of Alberta's forest industry

Rangifer ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
W. Kent Brown
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Forest Industry ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Woodland Caribou

Much of Alberta's woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) range outside protected areas is subject to commercial forest management. In this paper, I discuss some perspectives of the forest industry regarding caribou-related issues. Six forest companies holding Forest Management Agreements (FMAs) in Alberta were polled. Forest managers were most concerned about 2 aspects of caribou management: reductions of annual allowable cut (AAC) that may be necessary to provide for caribou habitat needs; and management of public access. Perceived information gaps fell into 3 categories: caribou demographics (population size, trends and densities); primary limiting factors of caribou populations (including the influence of human activity); and caribou habitat requirements (including the effects of timber harvest on caribou habitat). Increased costs associated with consideration of caribou have been incurred at the planning and operational levels. However, those costs have been low, primarily because much proposed harvest in caribou ranges has been deferred. Costs are expected to increase substantially in the future as timber from caribou ranges is required to meet harvest objectives. Other issues identified included: the desire for an adaptive management approach to caribou-forestry interactions; the need to incorporate natural-disturbance-regime models into forest planning; consideration of the cumulative effects on caribou of all industrial and recreational activities; and unmanaged harvest by First Nations people. A list of caribou-related projects conducted or supported by forest companies in Alberta during the past 5 years is provided.

scholarly journals Status of woodland caribou in Alberta

Rangifer ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Oil And Gas Development ◽  
The North ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

A recent review of woodland caribou {Rangifer tarandus caribou) status in Alberta estimated that there are between 3600 and 6700 caribou occupying 113 000 km2 of habitat. There are two ecotypes of caribou in Alberta; the mountain ecotype in the west central region and the boreal ecotype primarily in the north. Mountain caribou populations are stable or declining and boreal populations, where data are available, appear to be stable or declining slowly. A major initiative in caribou management in Alberta has been the development of the Woodland Caribou Conservation Strategy. This document was developed over two and a half years by a committee of multi-stakeholder representatives. The past five years has seen an increase in baseline inventory and applied research jointly funded by government, industry and universities, addressing a wide range of management issues from caribou response to logging to interactions of moose, wolves and caribou in the boreal ecosystem. Land use conflicts on caribou range remain high with timber harvesting, oil and gas development, peat moss extraction, coal mining, agricultural expansion and increasing road access overlapping. Cumulative effects of these disturbances are poorly understood and have received little attention to date.

Social Responsibility Practice Diagnosis applied to the Universidad del Valle- Northern Facility. Period 2014-2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (62) ◽  
pp. 66-81
Author(s):  
Adriana M. Moreno Moreno ◽  
Eduar Fernando Aguirre González
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Strategic Development ◽  
Strategic Issues ◽  
The North ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University ◽  
Social Management

Social Responsibility is a concept that has been approached from different perspectives by theoreticians and institutions. Initially, this was limited exclusively to companies, however, the creation of the Social Capital, Ethics and Development Initiative by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) sought to make educational institutions aware that, like any other organization, they are responsible for the externalities they generate in their environment and their stakeholders. This research approaches the concept of University Social Responsibility (USR) from the scheme proposed by the IDB, which proposes four axes of action for Universities’ CR: Responsible Campus, Professional and Citizen Training, Social Management of Knowledge and Social Participation. The Universidad del Valle has a strategic plan entitled “Universidad del Valle’s Strategic Development Plan” and Regionalization attached thereto. It has also developed its action plan and in the five strategic issues raised herein, its socially responsible approach is clearly identifiable. The North Cauca Facility wherein this study is being developed, even though it does not have a University Social Responsibility Management Model, has attempted to align its practices with its strategic affairs that broadly conform to the four axes proposed by the IDB. This research addresses a relevant and current issue inasmuch as it proposes to develop a diagnosis on the relationship between the four axes of Social Responsibility proposed by the IDB and the practice of Social Responsibility applied at the Universidad del Valle, North Cauca Facility, for the period 2014-2015. In order to answer the research problem, a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive type of study is used, given that the work was based on the documentary information available at the University, while the interviews with the directors of the Institution are used as a tool for oral history. The research method used is the case study, which allows to address a unit of analysis in depth, in this case the USR within the Universidad del Valle, North Cauca Facility.

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