scholarly journals Range size and seasonal movement for female woodland caribou in the boreal forest of northeastern Ontario

Rangifer ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen S. Brown ◽  
Frank F. Mallory ◽  
James Rettie
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Seasonal Movement ◽  
Forest Regions ◽  
Time Of Year

A preliminary examination was conducted of range size and distribution of female woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northeastern Ontario. Annual and seasonal ranges were calculated using satellite telemetry data collected for 30 female caribou between 1998 and 2001. The mean annual home range size of collared females was 4026 km2. Seasonal ranges varied in size depending on time of year (P<0.05). Calving and summer ranges were significantly smaller than autumn and late winter ranges. Early winter ranges were significantly larger than calving ranges and smaller than late winter ranges. Overall, range sizes of female woodland caribou in northeastern Ontario were larger than those reported for caribou in other Boreal Forest regions across Canada.

scholarly journals The biogeography of home range size of woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlin S. Wilson ◽  
Bruce A. Pond ◽  
Glen S. Brown ◽  
James A. Schaefer
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou

Range use and movement rates of woodland caribou in Saskatchewan

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 1933-1940 ◽  
Author(s):  
W James Rettie ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Predator Avoidance ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Telemetry Data ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Range Use ◽  
Seasonal Movement ◽  
Calf Mortality

We employed satellite-telemetry data to examine seasonal movement rates, annual- and seasonal-range sizes, and season-to-season range fidelity of female woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) from five populations in the boreal forest of Saskatchewan. The populations studied are limited by predation, and we investigated whether female caribou exhibited movement and range use consistent with predator avoidance. Additionally, we document an animal-centred technique for assessing site fidelity on the basis of individual range use throughout a year. Females accompanied by calves had lower movement rates and smaller seasonal ranges than females without calves. Movement rates among female caribou tended to decline between the rut and the postcalving and summer seasons. Trends indicated that seasonal ranges were larger prior to calving than during the postcalving and summer seasons. We interpreted the range sizes and movement rates observed as being consistent with predator avoidance in nonmigratory caribou populations. Despite these results and high rates of calf mortality in the area, we did not find interannual fidelity to calving sites.

Variation in the seasonal selection of resources by woodland caribou in northern British Columbia

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 812-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Gustine ◽  
K. L. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Theoretic Approach ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Predictive Capacity ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
Selection Strategies

Conservation planning for species of concern or importance can be aided by resource selection functions (RSFs) that identify important areas or attributes. Models that can be interpreted biologically and provide reasonable predictive capacity may best be based on data from individuals grouped into seasonal selection strategies for particular geographical areas or similarities in topographical and vegetative associations. We used logistic regression, the information–theoretic approach, satellite imagery, and locational data (n = 31 females; 16 803 locations) from global positioning system (GPS) collared woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) to model resource selection by animals during calving, summer, fall, breeding, winter, and late-winter seasons. Higher variation in resource use corresponded to times when caribou and their young were most susceptible to predation or when food resources were limited. Even with multiple selection strategies, caribou followed a general progression from higher to lower elevation habitats from calving and summer to late winter. Caribou selected against or completely avoided the burned–disturbed vegetation class in every season except summer. We incorporated RSFs with a raster geographic information system to create selection landscapes. We validated selection landscapes using withheld GPS data (n = 6077), 50 known calving sites, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Selection models and final selection landscapes performed well in validating use locations of woodland caribou in all seasons (all P < 0.003) and in predicting known calving sites (P < 0.001). When seasonal selection strategies are identified and models are coupled with validation, RSFs are effective tools to assist in conservation planning.

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

Rangifer ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Seasonal distribution and population parameters of woodland caribou in central Manitoba: implications for forestry practices

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberley G. Brown ◽  
Campbell Elliott ◽  
Francois Messier
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Resource Exploration

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the boreal forest are believed threatened by human encroachment and associated disturbances such as resource exploration and extraction. We radiocollared and monitored fifteen female woodland caribou in central Manitoba, from 1995 to 1997, to obtain information on their population range, seasonal distribution and movements in relation to forestry concerns. The population ranged over 4600 km2 within a large peatland system and concentrated their activities in two areas for both the summer and winter seasons. Females were relatively more solitary during the summer and exhibited fidelity to specific calving and summering areas averaging 83.4 km2. Individual wintering locations varied between years and among individuals. Post-rut and pre-calving mixed-sex aggregations occurred on the southern portion of the herds range. Caribou from the northern part of the range utilized a traditional travel corridor moving as far as 65 km to access the aggregation areas and their summer or winter ranges. Adult survival during the study period averaged 0.90 (95% CI, 0.80-1.00). Survival of the 1995 cohort appeared to be high as indicated by the 0.65:1 calf-cow ratio, and 30 &plusmn; 7% calf composition of observed caribou in the autumn of 1995. The annual rate of change (A,) of 1.19 (95% CI, 1.02-1.36) from January to November of 1995 indicated rhat the population was increasing at that time.

Early-winter diet of woodland caribou in relation to snow accumulation, Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, Canada

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2691-2694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric M. Rominger ◽  
John L. Oldemeyer
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Accumulation Rates ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Selkirk Mountains

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the southern Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia shift from a diet of primarily vascular taxa during snow-free months to an arboreal lichen – conifer diet during late winter. We present evidence that caribou diets, during the early-winter transition period, are influenced by snow accumulation rates. Caribou shift to an arboreal lichen – conifer diet earlier during winters of rapid snow accumulation and forage extensively on myrtle boxwood (Pachistima myrsinites), an evergreen shrub, and other vascular plants during years of slower snow accumulation. The role of coniferous forage in early-winter food habits is examined. Forest management strategies can be developed to provide habitat that will enable caribou to forage in response to varying snow accumulation rates.

Widespread declines in woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) continue in Alberta

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (12) ◽  
pp. 872-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Hervieux ◽  
M. Hebblewhite ◽  
N.J. DeCesare ◽  
M. Russell ◽  
K. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Population Trend ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Structured Population Model ◽  
Female Survival

Nowhere across Canada is the continued persistence of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) more uncertain than in Alberta due to widespread industrial development. A recent Government of Canada critical habitat review determined that habitat conditions within all Alberta boreal ecotype caribou ranges are unlikely or very unlikely to allow for self-sustaining caribou populations. This habitat-based assessment was based only indirectly on empirical population trends. Here, we estimated empirical population trend and growth rate (λ) for 13 of Alberta’s 16 remaining woodland caribou populations (plus one adjacent population from Saskatchewan) from 1994 to 2012 using demographic monitoring of adult female survival and calf recruitment. We captured and radio-collared a total of 1337 adult female caribou in 14 populations and estimated the mean annual adult female survival across all populations as 0.851. We conducted 158 late-winter calf recruitment surveys across the 14 populations classifying 20 872 caribou and estimated mean recruitment of 0.154 calves/cow (i.e., 0.077 female calves/cow). We then combined annual estimates of adult female survival and female calf recruitment within each population in a simple age-structured population model to estimate population trend. Annual population growth rate across caribou populations averaged 0.918, and was significantly declining, λ < 1.0, for 10 of the 14 caribou populations. Our results confirm that woodland caribou are declining rapidly (with a realized decline of approximately 50% every 8 years) across Alberta, and support conclusions from previous habitat-based assessments that the population viability of caribou is currently compromised, supporting development and implementation of recovery actions to reverse trends.

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.

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