Examining the role of terrestrial lichen transplants in restoring woodland caribou winter habitat

Abstract

The development of habitat restoration techniques for restoring critical woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) winter habitat will play an important role in meeting the management thresholds in woodland caribou recovery plans. The goal is to restore disturbed environments within critical winter habitat for the declining woodland caribou. Woodland caribou are diet specialists, utilizing lichen-rich habitat for forage during winter months. Cladonia sub-genus Cladina is the most frequently eaten species during this time. Herein, we provide: 1) A review of previously used methods for transplanting Cladonia sub-genus Cladina and their feasibility in restoring woodland caribou winter habitat; 2) A stepby-step protocol on how to carry out a terrestrial lichen transplant program (using Cladonia sub-genus Cladina and C. uncialis); and, 3) An evaluation of our protocol through the establishment of a case study in northern British Columbia. Our results indicate that transplanting C. sub-genus Cladina fragments is the most efficient technique for transplanting terrestrial lichen communities, but transplanting lichen 'patches' or 'mats' may also be effective.Key words: Cladonia, Cladina, reindeer lichen, restoration, winter habitat RÉSUMÉLa mise au point de techniques de réhabilitation pour restaurer l'habitat vital d'hiver essentiel du caribou forestier (Rangifer tarandus caribou) jouera un rôle important pour l'atteinte des seuils d'aménagement dans les plans de rétablissement du caribou forestier. Il s'agit en fait de restaurer les environnements perturbés dans les domaines vitaux pour la caribou forestier dont la population est en déclin. Le caribou forestier a une diète spécifique et compter sur les habitats riches en lichen pour s'alimenter durant les mois d'hiver. C' est principalement la Cladonia du sous-genre Cladina dont il se nourrit durant cette période. Dans cet article, nous proposons: 1) Une analyse des méthodes utilisée précédemment pour transplanter la Cladonia du sous-genre Cladina et leur potentiel pour restaurer l'habitat d'hivernement du caribou forestier; 2) Un protocole détaillé pour réaliser un programme terrestre de transplantation (avec la Cladonia du sous-genre Cladina et C. uncialis); et, 3) Une évaluation de notre protocole au moyen d'une étude de cas que nous avons réalisée dans le nord de la Colombie-Britannique. Nos résultats indiquent que la façon la plus efficace pour transplanter des communautés de lichens terrestres consiste à transplanter des fragments de C. sous-genre Cladina, mais qu' on peut aussi la transplanter sous forme de « talles » (patches) ou de « plaques »' (mats). For personal use only. Mots

A review of reindeer lichen (Cladonia subgenus Cladina) linear growth rates

“…Habitat restoration is expected to play and important role in meeting these recovery objectives (Environment Canada, 2012b; Environment Canada, 2014; Bentham & Coupal, 2015). Since reindeer lichens are a major part of the winter diet of woodland caribou (Bergerud & Nolan, 1970;Newmaster et al, 2013;Thompson et al, 2015), they are an essential component in restoring caribou winter habitat (Duncan, 2015;Rapai et al, 2017;Rapai et al, 2018).…”

“…Understanding the growth rates of reindeer lichens is important for predicting recovery rates following disturbances such as grazing, harvest for commercial use, trampling, forestry, or wildfire (Kauppi, 1979;Roturier, 2007;Rapai et al, 2017). Accurate knowledge about growth rates combined with winter forage con-land caribou in North America (McMullin et al, 2011;Newmaster et al, 2013;Thompson et al, 2015) and reindeer in Scandinavia and Russia (Andreev, 1977;Eriksson et al, 1981;Sandström, 2003;Roturier, 2009).…”

“…They are also an important component of the winter diet of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Russia (Andreev, 1977) and Scandinavia (Skogland, 1984;Kumpula, 2001), where reindeer have an important economic and cultural role as livestock in northern regions (Sandström, 2003; sumption models (e.g., Kumpula, 2001) means habitat supply and population dynamics for caribou populations can be better predicted. Moreover, in instances where lichen is harvested for restoration, or other purposes, there is uncertainty about what amount constitutes a sustainable harvest (Duncan, 2015;Rapai et al, 2017). Determining growth rates will provide a better understanding of how long the harvested areas will take to recover, which is an important part in calculating how much can be removed for restoration.…”

Terrestrial lichen caribou forage transplant success: year 5 and 6 results

“…Multiple studies suggest fragmentation of the lichen thallus as the most appropriate method for transplanting terrestrial lichen (Crittenden 2000; Roturier et al 2007; Rapai et al 2017). In Sweden, Roturier and Bergsten (2009) found that Cladonia stellaris planted in patches/mats were grazed by reindeer; however, lichen seeded as fragments remained and grew similarly to naturally established lichen thalli in the area.…”

“…Since this time, several studies have examined the feasibility of transplanting lichen fragments and mats to restore caribou winter forage habitat. Cladonia subgenus Cladina transplant studies have been conducted in regenerating boreal forests of Sweden (Roturier et al 2007; Roturier & Bergsten 2009; Roturier et al 2017) and Canada (Enns 1998; Duncan 2011; Ronalds & Grant 2018), as well as quarries and other mined landscapes in boreal regions (Campeau & Blanchard 2010; Hugron et al 2013; Rapai et al 2018), and also in alpine areas (Duncan 2015). Research has also been conducted to understand the impact of soil amendments and substrates (Roturier & Bergsten 2009; Duncan 2011; Hugron et al 2013), lichen fragment size (Roturier et al 2007; Duncan 2011; Ronalds & Grant 2018), transplant technique (Enns 1998; Krekula 2007; Ronalds & Grant 2018), seasonality (Huss‐Danell 1977; Boudreault et al 2013; Roturier et al 2017), and microclimate attributes (Boudreault et al 2013) on lichen establishment.…”