Predation risk and habitat selection in the persistence of a remnant caribou population

Ferguson, S. H.; Bergerud, Arthur T.; Ferguson, Redbird

doi:10.1007/bf00379957

Cited by 75 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The presence of wolves may have been crucial in maintaining northern range aspen stands both through predation and especially through predation risks affecting elk movement and herbivory patterns. When wolves were present, ungulate antipredator strategies may have included the avoidance of high wolf use areas (Mech, 1977;Roby, 1978;Allen, 1979;Edwards, 1983;Ferguson et al, 1988). Since wolf recolonization in the early 1970s, researchers in Canada's Banff and Jasper National Parks have found higher elk densities in low wolf predation areas (Dekker, 1985;White et al, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trophic cascades among wolves, elk and aspen on Yellowstone National Park’s northern range

Ripple

Larsen

Renkin

et al. 2001

Biological Conservation

361

278

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) biomass has declined in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) in the past century. We installed permanent belt transects (plots) for long-term monitoring of aspen stands both within and outside of established wolf pack territories on YNP's northern range to determine if reintroduced wolves are influencing elk browsing patterns and aspen regeneration through a trophic cascades interaction. Wolves may have an indirect effect on aspen regeneration by altering elk movements, browsing patterns, and foraging behavior (predation risk effects). Elk pellet groups, aspen sucker heights, and the percentage of browsed suckers were the variables used to measure differences in aspen stands in high and low wolf-use areas of the northern range. The aspen stands in the high wolf-use areas had significantly lower counts of elk pellet groups in the mesic upland steppe and the combined mesic upland steppe and riparian/wet meadow habitat types. Based on our pellet group results, it appears that elk foraging behaviors may have been altered by the increased risk of predation due to the reintroduction of the wolf. In the riparian/ wet meadow habitat type, mean aspen sucker heights were significantly higher in the high wolf-use areas than in the low wolf-use areas. The percentage of browsed suckers in high and low wolf-use areas showed no significant differences in any of the habitat types. Considering the high browsing pressure in YNP aspen stands, it is uncertain whether the taller aspen suckers measured in the high wolf-use areas will eventually join the aspen overstory. These permanent plots represent a valuable baseline data set to assess any current and future aspen regeneration responses to the reintroduction of wolves in YNP. #

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trophic cascades among wolves, elk and aspen on Yellowstone National Park’s northern range

Ripple

Larsen

Renkin

et al. 2001

Biological Conservation

361

278

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This same lateral cover may also obstruct the flight escape of prey (Lima, 1992). Bergerud (1985) and Ferguson et al (1988) suggested woodland caribou maternal cows should take actions to reduce the success rates of wolves and bears in encountering, detecting and capturing calves by reducing movement and using shorelines with slopes, especially on islands, such as those in Pukaskwa National Park and Neys Provincial Park. Although not statistically different, the higher slopes at caribou nursery sites than absence sites that we found in both parks are consistent with this strategy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caribou nursery site habitat characteristics in two northern Ontario parks

Carr

Rodgers

Walshe

2007

Ran

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:To prevent further range recession, habitat features essential to the life-history requisites of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) such as calving and nursery sites need to be protected for the persistence of the species. Woodland caribou may minimize predation risk during calving by either spacing out or spacing away from predators in the forest to calve on islands, wetlands, or shorelines. Our objective was to determine the characteristics of shoreline habitats used as calving and nursery sites by female woodland caribou in northern Ontario. Detailed vegetation and other site characteristics were measured at nursery sites used by cow-calf pairs in Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou Provincial Parks for comparison with shoreline sites that were not used by caribou within each park. Differences in habitat variables selected by female caribou in the two study areas reflect broad ecoregional differences in vegetation and topography. In Wabakimi Provincial Park, understorey tree density and ground detection distance played key roles in distinguishing nursery sites from sites that were not used. In Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, groundcover vegetation and shrub density were important in the selection of nursery sites by female caribou. Generally, female caribou in both parks selected nursery sites with greater slope, lower shrub density but thicker groundcover vegetation, including greater lichen abundance, and higher densities of mature trees than shoreline sites that were not used. The identification of these important features for caribou nursery sites provides a basis for improving their protection in future management policies and legislation.

show abstract

“…Space is also employed in predator avoidance by woodland caribou, which disperse to reduce preda¬ tion on calves (Bergerud & Page, 1987;Ferguson et al, 1988). The success of spacing out appears to be dependent on predator density, which is likely affected by distance from habitat used by other ungulates (i.e., moose and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)) (Thomas, 1995).…”

Section: Spatial Scalementioning

confidence: 99%

What does it mean to put caribou knowledge into an ecosystem context?

Harrington¹

1998

Ran

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

B3M 2J6 (ired.harrington@iDsvu.ca).Abstract: Ecosystems are envisioned as integrated, complex systems with both living and non-living components, that are linked through processes of energy flow and nutrient cycling (Bowen, 1971;Ricklefs, 1979). The ecosystem approach seeks to describe the components of this system, the pathways through which energy and nutrients move, and the processes that govern that movement. The goal is a better understanding of the role or effect of each component (abiotic or biotic) within the system. Theorerically, the more we know, the better we can predict the future behaviour of the ecosystem and therefore manage the system on whatever sustainable basis we deem appropriate. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) presently inhabit two ecosystems, tundra (arctic and alpine) and taiga (or boreal foresr), both characterized by relatively low productivity and diversity (Bowen, 1971; Bliss, 1981; Bonan, 1992a). As increased anthropogenic impacts are expected in these ecosystems through the next century, our ability to ensure the continued survival of caribou requires that we pay increasing attention to the processes that drive these systems. In this endeavour, an awareness of the effects of both spatial and temporal scale, in borh ecosystem processes and our research programs to understand those processes, is critical.

show abstract

Predation risk and habitat selection in the persistence of a remnant caribou population

Cited by 75 publications

References 37 publications

Trophic cascades among wolves, elk and aspen on Yellowstone National Park’s northern range

Trophic cascades among wolves, elk and aspen on Yellowstone National Park’s northern range

Caribou nursery site habitat characteristics in two northern Ontario parks

What does it mean to put caribou knowledge into an ecosystem context?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About