Evaluation of an experimental wolf reduction and its impact on deer in Papineau-Labelle Reserve, Quebec

Potvin, François; Jolicoeur, Hélène; Breton, Laůrier; Lemieux, Rolland

doi:10.1139/z92-220

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our results further support the idea that management practices such as predator reductions will simply delay eventual caribou extinction, unless effective habitat conservation, management, and recovery approaches are implemented (Festa‐Bianchet et al, 2011). Given the current extent of habitat changes from human causes and forest fire within many woodland caribou ranges, predator reductions have been increasingly used to improve caribou survival and avoid their near‐term extirpation (Potvin, Jolicoeur, Breton, & Lemieux, 1992; Hervieux et al, 2014; Serrouya et al, 2019). However, this action alone will not lead to self‐sustaining caribou populations because the method does not address the ultimate causes of decline (Wittmer et al, 2007; Festa‐Bianchet et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat loss accelerates for the endangered woodland caribou in western Canada

Nagy‐Reis

Dickie

Calvert

et al. 2021

Conservat Sci and Prac

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Habitat loss is often the ultimate cause of species endangerment and is also a leading factor inhibiting species recovery. For this reason, species‐at‐risk legislation, policies and plans typically focus on habitat conservation and restoration as mechanisms for recovery. To assess the effectiveness of these instruments in decelerating habitat loss, we evaluated spatiotemporal habitat changes for an iconic endangered species, woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). We quantified changes in forest cover, a key proxy of caribou habitat, for all caribou subpopulations in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Despite efforts under federal and provincial recovery plans, and requirements listed under Canada's Species at Risk Act, caribou subpopulations lost twice as much habitat as they gained during a 12‐year period (2000–2012). Drivers of habitat loss varied by ecotype, with Boreal and Northern Mountain caribou affected most by forest fire and Southern Mountain caribou affected more by forest harvest. Our case study emphasizes critical gaps between recovery planning and habitat management actions, which are a core expectation under most species‐at‐risk legislation. Loss of caribou habitat from 2000 to 2018 has accelerated. Linear features within caribou ranges have also increased over time, particularly seismic lines within Boreal caribou ranges, and we estimated that only 5% of seismic lines have functionally regenerated. Our findings support the idea that short‐term recovery actions such as predator reductions and translocations will likely just delay caribou extinction in the absence of well‐considered habitat management. Given the magnitude of ongoing habitat change, it is clear that unless the cumulative impacts of land‐uses are effectively addressed through planning and management actions that consider anthropogenic and natural disturbances, we will fail to achieve self‐sustaining woodland caribou populations across much of North America.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat loss accelerates for the endangered woodland caribou in western Canada

Nagy‐Reis

Dickie

Calvert

et al. 2021

Conservat Sci and Prac

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Only one case showed evidence of predators leading prey to near extinction or causing the prey to abandon the areas formerly occupied by them: this involved wolves limiting declining populations of reindeer . In contrast, even a 70% reduction in the wolf population through shooting had no hF F wdonldD qF wF we nd qF F frretto 492 discernible effect on an increasing population of deer (Potvin et al, 1992b). In the same area, a population of beaver (Castor canadensis), increased by 20% 3 years after predation control was initiated but returned to previous levels 2 years after treatment ®nished (Potvin et al, 1992a).…”

mentioning

confidence: 75%

The effects of predators on fragmented prey populations: a case study for the conservation of endangered prey

Macdonald¹,

Mace

Barretto³

1999

Journal of Zoology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We considered the problem of conserving small populations of prey by reviewing observational and ®eld experiments in search of general answers to the question of how predators impact upon their prey. We then explored the likely effectiveness of predator control as a conservation tool by simulating a small, fragmented population of prey. We chose red grouse in Britain as an example of this general predicament. An individual-based population simulation model was used to simulate the fate of a small red grouse population. The model was used to investigate the relative impacts of predation, habitat changes and stochastic factors associated with small population size on the viability of the population. Although most predator±prey studies have been undertaken in temperate regions and only four studies found evidence of regulation, some generalizations arose. Predation can limit populations but generally did not drive the prey population to extinction. Extinction was more likely in cases involving an introduced predator on islands or in isolated prey populations. The simulation model showed that at small population sizes the stochastic factors were always signi®cant, whereas environmental variation and habitat change had the greatest impact on large populations over the long term; predation was only a signi®cant threatening factor when it occurred at a high rate, was more severe over the long term when predators took a constant proportion of the prey base, and when predation was across all age classes.

show abstract

“…1). RB was included in a 1490-km2 area where wolf numbers were reduced by almost 60% between January 1984 and February 1986 (Potvin et al 1992). At the start of the program, wolf-density estimates in early winter were rated moderately high compared with those presented by Keith (1983): 2.31100 km2 in RB and 2.2 in LIB.…”

Section: Study Area and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…A description of the study area is given in Potvin et al (1992). PL was closed to trapping from 1971 to 1983.…”

Section: Study Area and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although beaver trapping is an important economic activity, no studies have been conducted on the impact of wolf reduction on this prey species. From 1984 to 1986 the number of wolves was experimentally reduced in PL to allow us to evaluate the feasibility of this management technique and its impact on deer (Potvin et al 1992). In addition, we measured the impact of wolf removal on beaver, based on the hypothesis that the number of beaver colonies would increase following wolf control.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of an experimental wolf reduction on beaver in Papineau-Labelle Reserve, Quebec

Potvin¹,

Breton²,

Pilon³

et al. 1992

Can. J. Zool.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

From 1983 to 1988 the densities of beaver colonies in traplines from within two blocks were compared. The first block (RB, 275 km2) was included in a larger area where wolves were reduced almost 60% over three winters. The second block (UB, 265 km2) received no wolf-control treatment. Beaver trapping, formerly prohibited, was allowed in 1984 in 5 of 11 trapline units of RB and 5 of 9 units of UB after the first wolf reduction. The density of colonies (0.8/km2) remained stable in UB, even where beaver trapping was allowed. In RB a 20% increase in colonies occurred after 3 years in units not opened to beaver trapping, but the numbers decreased to their former level 2 years after wolf control was terminated. Where wolf reduction and trapping occurred synchronously, colony numbers remained unchanged, but they decreased by 30% following suspension of wolf control. We do not recommend wolf reduction as a management tool when beaver density is high. POTVIN, F., BRETON, L., PILON, C., et MACQUART, M. 1992. Impact of an experimental wolf reduction on beaver in Papineau-Labelle Reserve, Quebec. Can. J. Zool. 70 : 180-183. De 1983 a 1988, nous avons compare la densite des colonies de castors entre un bloc (RB, 275 km') oh le nombre de loups a etC reduit de prks de 60% durant 3 hivers et un bloc temoin (UB, 265 km').Interdit avant 1984, le piegeage du castor a Ct C autorisk, aprks la premikre reduction du loup, dans 5 des 11 terrains de RB et 5 des 9 terrains de UB. La densite des colonies (0.8/km2) est restke stable dans UB mCme la oh le piegeage Ctait permis. Dans RB, on a not6 aprks 3 ans une hausse de 20% du nombre de colonies dans les terrains non piCgCs, mais ce nombre est revenu a son niveau initial 2 ans aprks 1'arrCt du contrale. La oh la reduction du loup et le pikgeage du castor furent exerces en mCme temps, la densite des colonies de castors n'a pas variC, mais elle a chute de 30% quand le contrale du loup fut interrompu. Nous concluons que la reduction du loup n'est pas une pratique d'amknagement justifiable quand la densite du castor est klevee.

show abstract

Evaluation of an experimental wolf reduction and its impact on deer in Papineau-Labelle Reserve, Quebec

Cited by 8 publications

References 9 publications

Habitat loss accelerates for the endangered woodland caribou in western Canada

Habitat loss accelerates for the endangered woodland caribou in western Canada

The effects of predators on fragmented prey populations: a case study for the conservation of endangered prey

Impact of an experimental wolf reduction on beaver in Papineau-Labelle Reserve, Quebec

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About