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 Forest management guidelines for forest-dwelling caribou in Québec

2004 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 598-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Réhaume Courtois ◽  
Jean-Pierre Ouellet ◽  
Claude Dussault ◽  
André Gingras
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Habitat Recovery ◽  
Irregular Structure

The forest-dwelling ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is vulnerable to predation, hunting, and disturbances due to anthropogenic activities. Its strategies of space and habitat use are oriented towards reducing the effects of these limiting factors. Caribou occupy large home ranges, undertake extensive movements, and avoid fragmented areas. They use various habitats, but especially mature and over-mature conifer stands with irregular structure, which are less suitable for other ungulates, wolves and black bears. In order to protect habitat for forest-dwelling caribou, we suggest an ecosystem approach based on the protection of large forested blocks, the concentration of forest harvesting in large management blocks, and the maintenance of habitat connectivity. This strategy focuses on short-term conservation of minimum caribou habitats in the protected blocks, a medium-term habitat recovery in the management blocks, the maintenance of forest activities, and facilitation of seasonal and dispersal movements. Within the management blocks, we recommend creation of an irregular forest structure similar to the pattern created by natural disturbances inherent to spruce-moss forests. These guidelines have been tested in Québec for the last few years and were well received by forest and wildlife agencies as well as the forest industry. Key words: adaptive management, boreal forest, ecosystem management, forest-dwelling ecotype, forest management, spruce forest, woodland caribou

scholarly journals Impacts of Alternative Harvesting and Natural Disturbance Scenarios on Forest Biomass in the Superior National Forest, USA

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Russell ◽  
Stephanie Patton ◽  
David Wilson ◽  
Grant Domke ◽  
Katie Frerker
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Volume Control ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Natural Disturbances ◽  
Project Area

The amount of biomass stored in forest ecosystems is a result of past natural disturbances, forest management activities, and current structure and composition such as age class distributions. Although natural disturbances are projected to increase in their frequency and severity on a global scale in the future, forest management and timber harvesting decisions continue to be made at local scales, e.g., the ownership or stand level. This study simulated potential changes in natural disturbance regimes and their interaction with timber harvest goals across the Superior National Forest (SNF) in northeastern Minnesota, USA. Forest biomass stocks and stock changes were simulated for 120 years under three natural disturbance and four harvest scenarios. A volume control approach was used to estimate biomass availability across the SNF and a smaller project area within the SNF (Jeanette Project Area; JPA). Results indicate that under current harvest rates and assuming disturbances were twice that of normal levels resulted in reductions of 2.62 to 10.38% of forest biomass across the four primary forest types in the SNF and JPA, respectively. Under this scenario, total biomass stocks remained consistent after 50 years at current and 50% disturbance rates, but biomass continued to decrease under a 200%-disturbance scenario through 120 years. In comparison, scenarios that assumed both harvest and disturbance were twice that of normal levels and resulted in reductions ranging from 14.18 to 29.85% of forest biomass. These results suggest that both natural disturbances and timber harvesting should be considered to understand their impacts to future forest structure and composition. The implications from simulations like these can provide managers with strategic approaches to determine the economic and ecological outcomes associated with timber harvesting and disturbances.

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.

Using knowledge of natural disturbances to support sustainable forest management in the northern Clay Belt

2007 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Bergeron ◽  
Pierre Drapeau ◽  
Sylvie Gauthier ◽  
Nicolas Lecomte
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Landscape Patterns ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Natural Disturbances ◽  
Natural Fire ◽  
Coarse Filter

Several concepts are at the basis of forest ecosystem management, but a relative consensus exists around the idea of a forest management approach that is based on natural disturbances and forest dynamics. This type of approach aims to reproduce the main attributes of natural landscapes in order to maintain ecosystems within their natural range of variability and avoid creating an environment to which species are not adapted. By comparing attributes associated with natural fire regimes and current forest management, we were able to identify four major differences for the black spruce forest of the Clay Belt. The maintenance of older forests, the spatial extent of cutover areas, the maintenance of residuals within cutovers and disturbance severity on soils are major issues that should be addressed. Silvicultural strategies that mitigate differences between natural and managed forests are briefly discussed. Key words: natural disturbance, landscape patterns, coarse filter, harvest pattern, volume retention, historic variability, even-aged management

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.

Woodland caribou: Facts for forest managers

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. G. Cumming
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Mortality Factors ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Ultimate Cause ◽  
Multiple Resource

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.

scholarly journals A Bayesian approach to evaluating habitat for woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 3117-3133 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Scott McNay ◽  
Bruce G Marcot ◽  
Viktor Brumovsky ◽  
Rick Ellis
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Bayesian Belief Networks ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
North Central ◽  
Ecological Understanding ◽  
Effective Conservation

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin)) populations are in decline throughout much of their range. With increasingly rapid industrial, recreational, residential, and agricultural development of caribou habitat, tools are required to make clear, knowledgeable, and explainable management decisions to support effective conservation of caribou and their range. We developed a series of Bayesian belief networks to evaluate conservation policy scenarios applied to caribou seasonal range recovery areas. We demonstrate the utility of the networks to articulate ecological understanding among stakeholders, to clarify and explicitly depict threats to seasonal range. We also show how simulated forecasts of spatially explicit seasonal range can be compared with landscape potential with range under assumed conditions of natural disturbance. These tools have provided opportunities to operationally define and measure conditions for recovery of caribou in north-central British Columbia.

scholarly journals Will ecosystem management supply woodland caribou habitat in northwestern Ontario?

Rangifer ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
David L. Euler
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Management ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Managed Forest ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
And Function ◽  
Forested Ecosystems

Ecosystem management is emerging as an important concept in managing forests. Although the basic conceptual idea is not new, important defining principles are developing that elucidate some of the specific attributes of ecosystem management. These principles include: the maintenance of all ecosystems in the managed forest, rhe emulation of natural disturbance patterns on rhe landscape and the insurance that structure and function of forested ecosystems are conserved. Forest management has an impact on woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), although the presence of wolves (Canis lupus) and moose (Alces alces) in the same northern ecosystems also affects the caribou-forestry interacrion. Specific management for caribou as a featured species has been proposed, based on managing large landscape blocks. Ecosystem management would also produce habitat in a manner that might accomplish the goal of conserving woodland caribou as well as maintaining other important ecosystem functions.

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.

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