Winter distribution of woodland caribou in relation to clear-cut logging in west-central Alberta

Abstract

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.

Historical changes in caribou distribution and land cover in and around Prince Albert National Park: land management implications

“…Increased number of patches of recently logged areas may attract greater number of other ungulate species such as moose, elk and whitetailed deer (Brown et al, 2000a;James et al, 2004) and subsequently, higher densities of predators such as wolves (Bergerud & Elliot, 1986;Rettie & Messier, 1998). Ultimately, increased area logged can lead to range retraction (Bradshaw et al, 1997) as caribou actively avoid disturbance (Cumming & Beange, 1987;Chubbs et al, 1993;Smith et al, 2000;Johnson & Gilligham, 2002). A developed roads and trails network may also facilitate access to formerly isolated areas increasing mortality, from hunting and preda¬ tion (Dyer et al, 2001;Whittington et al, 2005) and from caribou-vehicle accidents (Cumming & Beange, 1987).…”

“…Boreal caribou are habitat specialists, dependent on old growth forests to survive (Rettie & Messier, 2000;Smith et al, 2000;Mahoney & Virgl, 2003). They avoid logged areas (Cumming & Beange, 1987;Chubbs et al, 1993;Smith et al, 2000;Johnson & Gilligham, 2002;Lander, 2006), areas near roads and trails (Nellemen & Cameron, 1996;Cameron et al, 2005) and recent burns (Schaefer & Pruitt, 1991;Klein, 1992;Thomas & Gray, 2002;Lander, 2006). Caribou also avoid hardwood stands or stands of younger age classes as these areas often allow for higher densities of other ungulate species (moose, deer and elk) and associated predators.…”

Implementation of natural disturbance-based management in northern British Columbia

“…Forest fragmentation has been demonstrated to adversely impact American marten (Chapin et al 1998, Hargis et al 1999 and woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus ssp. caribou [Gmelin]) (Smith et al 2000).…”

A Real Options Approach to Forest-Management Decision Making to Protect Caribou under the Threat of Extinction

“…If caribou are confined to small areas, predators can find them more easily (Seip 1991). Smith et al (2000) found that, as forest harvesting progressed in a landscape occupied by caribou, their daily movement rates and winter range size decreased, and they avoided recently fragmented areas. Conservation research has shown that the decline of a species is often associated with a degradation of its range (Channell and Lomolino 2000).…”