Landscape management for woodland caribou: the protection of forest blocks influences wolf-caribou co-occurrence

Courbin, Nicolas; Fortin, Daniel; Dussault, Christian; Courtois, Réhaume

doi:10.1007/s10980-009-9389-x

Cited by 83 publications

(129 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The first model (log(movement rate) ~ Julian day) provided the candidate breakpoints. Since spring dispersal is generally demarcated by important displacements from late winter ranges to traditional calving areas (Courbin et al, 2009), breakpoints obtained via the second model (net displacement ~ Julian day) gave weight to our final choice of onset dates, in particular with respect to the beginning and end of spring dispersal (Fig. 2).…”

Section: Individual-based Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These require a priori biological knowledge and can be rule-based (Mahoney & Schaefer, 2002;Saher & Schmiegelow, 2005;Courbin et al, 2009) or model-based (Ferguson & Elkie, 2004;Dyke, 2008;Vander Wal & Rodgers, 2009). We propose a model-based approach called recursive partitioning, which can be used to locate changes in the distribution of movement parameters over time using iterative analyses of variance (ANOVA) and prior knowledge of species life history.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using movement behaviour to define biological seasons for woodland caribou

Rudolph

Drapeau

2012

Ran

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Terrestrial mammals are strongly influenced by seasonal changes in environmental conditions. Studies of animal space use behaviour are therefore inherently seasonal in nature. We propose an individual-based quantitative method for identifying seasonal shifts in caribou movement behaviour and we demonstrate its use in determining the onset of the winter, spring dispersal, and calving seasons. Using pooled data for the population we demonstrate an alternate approach using polynomial regression with mixed effects. We then compare individual onset dates with population-based estimates and those adopted by expert consensus for our study area. Distributions of individual-based onset dates were normally distributed with prominent modes; however, there was considerable variation in individual onset times. Population-based estimates were closer to the peaks of individual estimates than were expert-based estimates, which fell outside the onetailed 90% and 95% sample quantiles of individually-fitted distributions for spring and winter, respectively. Both expertand population-based estimates were later for winter and earlier for both spring and calving than were individual-based estimates. We discuss the potential consequences of neglecting to corroborate conventionally used dates with observed seasonal trends in movement behaviour. In closing, we recommend researchers adopt an individual-based quantitative approach and a variable temporal window for data set extraction.

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Section: Individual-based Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using movement behaviour to define biological seasons for woodland caribou

Rudolph

Drapeau

2012

Ran

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“…Caribou and wolves have been found to typically occupy different habitat types, creating a spatial and temporal separation between prey and predators, thereby reducing predation (James et al, 2004;Courbin et al, 2009). However, fragmentation of the boreal forest and avoidance of disturbances has the potential to concentrate caribou into progressively smaller areas of remaining habitat, which can make caribou vulnerable to predation (Dyer et al, 2001;Courbin et al, 2009). Boreal caribou exist at low densities compared to other boreal forest ungulates, thereby reducing predation risk as low caribou densities will not support predators in the absence of alternative prey (Thomas, 1995;Dyer et al, 2001).…”

Section: Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Boreal caribou exist at low densities compared to other boreal forest ungulates, thereby reducing predation risk as low caribou densities will not support predators in the absence of alternative prey (Thomas, 1995;Dyer et al, 2001). Habitat conditions strongly influence the interaction between prey and predator (Peek, 1986), and spatial separation from other ungulates and conspecifics have been hypothesized as an anti-predation strategy of caribou (Thomas, 1995;James et al, 2004;Courbin et al, 2009). Finally, it has been previously found that linear corridor development in remote regions can increase wolf access and mobility in formerly inaccessible caribou habitat, thus increasing wolf-prey contacts and interactions (Thomas, 1995;James & Stuart-Smith, 2000;Courbin et al, 2009).…”

Section: Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is generally accepted that there is increased probability of caribou mortality with increased use of transmission lines by wolves (Thomas, 1995;James & Stuart-Smith, 2000;Courbin et al, 2009); however, more research is required on predator density and use of linear development in Manitoba. Comparisons of predator activity for different linear features in the Manitoba context (such as roads and snowmobile trails) are specifically recommended.…”

Section: Increased Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towards a Manitoba Hydro boreal woodland caribou strategy: Outcomes from Manitoba Hydro boreal woodland caribou workshop

Scurrah

Schindler

2012

Ran

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Manitoba Hydro is responsible for the continued supply of energy to meet the needs of the province and is committed to protecting the environment when planning the construction and operation of its facilities. Corporate policy dictates ongoing improvement of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in order to meet or surpass regulatory requirements. Environmental objectives are reviewed annually and programs are modified when necessary to address improvements in environmental performance. Manitoba Hydro plans and constructs major transmission projects throughout northern Manitoba which includes areas occupied by boreal woodland caribou. In recognition of the potential issues associated with hydro transmission construction in boreal caribou range, Manitoba Hydro hosted an expert workshop on May 8, 2007 to provide objective advice in the development of a draft corporate strategy that effectively directs targeted monitoring and research for environmental assessment and mitigation. The workshop focused on assessing the potential threats to boreal woodland caribou from a transmission line construction and operation perspective, and identifying appropriate approaches in site selection and environmental assessment (SSEA) and long-term monitoring and research. A total of nine threat categories were reviewed to determine the degree and magnitude of potential effects that may result from transmission construction and operation; and of the original nine, five final threat categories were delineated. The main elements of the workshop provided strategic approaches for proactive pre-construction monitoring, research on recruitment and mortality for local populations impacted by ROWs and control areas, and various habitat monitoring, management, and mitigation techniques. Research and monitoring priorities have been identified and continued collaboration with Manitoba Conservation and other land users were also identified.

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Woodland caribou calving fidelity: Spatial location, habitat, or both?

Walker,

Rodgers,

Shuter

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Individuals that isolate themselves to give birth can use more than one strategy in choosing birth sites to maximize reproductive success. Previous research has focused on the consistency in the use of the same birth‐site across years (i.e., spatial fidelity), but individuals alternatively may use similar habitat conditions across years (i.e., habitat fidelity). Using GPS telemetry, we determined whether woodland caribou expressed spatial or habitat fidelity during calving, and evaluated intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with expressing either type of fidelity. We identified 56 individuals with ≥2 putative birth events, via a movement‐based model, across northern Ontario between 2010 and 2014. Individuals were classified as expressing (1) spatial fidelity by comparing sequential calving locations to a random spatial distribution of available calving locations, (2) habitat fidelity using a logistic use model compared to a null (intercept only) model, (3) no fidelity (neither criterion met), or (4) both spatial and habitat fidelity (both criteria met). Across all individuals, 37% expressed no fidelity (36 of 98), 15% expressed only spatial fidelity (15 of 99), 35% expressed only habitat fidelity (34 of 98), and 14% expressed both spatial and habitat fidelity (14 of 98). Older individuals were more likely to express spatial fidelity, whereas lower availability of upland and lowland conifer forests without linear features increased the probability an individual expressed habitat fidelity. Our results indicate that managing for caribou calving needs to consider protecting both specific, known birthing sites, but also broad‐scale areas of preferred habitat for calving. Understanding the mechanisms that influence caribou expressing calving fidelity, and associated fitness costs, is crucial for the conservation of the species.

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Landscape management for woodland caribou: the protection of forest blocks influences wolf-caribou co-occurrence

Cited by 83 publications

References 42 publications

Using movement behaviour to define biological seasons for woodland caribou

Using movement behaviour to define biological seasons for woodland caribou

Towards a Manitoba Hydro boreal woodland caribou strategy: Outcomes from Manitoba Hydro boreal woodland caribou workshop

Woodland caribou calving fidelity: Spatial location, habitat, or both?

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