Woodland Caribou Relative to Landscape Patterns in Northeastern Alberta

Stuart–Smith, A. Kari; Bradshaw, Corey J. A.; Boutin, Stan; Hebert, Daryll M.; Rippin, Andrew

doi:10.2307/3802170

Cited by 161 publications

(196 citation statements)

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“…While excessive hunting and predation seem the proximate factor leading to caribou decline, it is likely that habitat modifications, especially forest cutting, are ultimately responsible (Seip 1991). Indeed, clearcutting drastically decreases the availability of suitable habitats, increases habitat fragmentation (Hanson et al 1990, Caughley 1994, and accessibility, which facilitates hunting and predation (Cichowski 1996, Stuart-Smith et al 1997, Rettie and Messier 1998. This situation lasts until natural processes reconstitute the original composition and structure of the forest.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest management guidelines for forest-dwelling caribou in Québec

Courtois¹,

Ouellet²,

Dussault³

et al. 2004

The Forestry Chronicle

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The forest-dwelling ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is vulnerable to predation, hunting, and disturbances due to anthropogenic activities. Its strategies of space and habitat use are oriented towards reducing the effects of these limiting factors. Caribou occupy large home ranges, undertake extensive movements, and avoid fragmented areas. They use various habitats, but especially mature and over-mature conifer stands with irregular structure, which are less suitable for other ungulates, wolves and black bears. In order to protect habitat for forest-dwelling caribou, we suggest an ecosystem approach based on the protection of large forested blocks, the concentration of forest harvesting in large management blocks, and the maintenance of habitat connectivity. This strategy focuses on short-term conservation of minimum caribou habitats in the protected blocks, a medium-term habitat recovery in the management blocks, the maintenance of forest activities, and facilitation of seasonal and dispersal movements. Within the management blocks, we recommend creation of an irregular forest structure similar to the pattern created by natural disturbances inherent to spruce-moss forests. These guidelines have been tested in Québec for the last few years and were well received by forest and wildlife agencies as well as the forest industry.Key words: adaptive management, boreal forest, ecosystem management, forest-dwelling ecotype, forest management, spruce forest, woodland caribou L'écotype forestier du caribou des bois (Rangifer tarandus caribou) est vulnérable à la prédation, à la chasse et aux dérangements anthropiques. Ses stratégies d'utilisation de l'espace et des habitats visent à réduire l'impact de ces facteurs. Il occupe de grands domaines vitaux, effectue de grands déplacements et évite les milieux fragmentés par la coupe et les perturbations naturelles. Il utilise différents habitats mais surtout les forêts résineuses matures et surannées de structure irrégulière moins propices aux autres cervidés et aux pré-dateurs. Pour aménager l'habitat du caribou forestier, nous recommandons une approche écosystémique basée sur la protection de grands massifs forestiers, la concentration des coupes forestières dans de grands blocs d'aménagement et le maintien de la connectivité des habitats. Cette stratégie permettra de conserver un habitat minimum à court terme, de reconstituer des habitats propices à moyen terme, de maintenir les activités forestières et de faciliter les mouvements saisonniers et la dispersion du caribou. À l'intérieur des blocs d'aménagement, nous proposons de s'inspirer du régime des perturbations naturelles ayant cours dans la pessière à mousses pour régénérer des forêts de structure irrégulière. Ces lignes directrices sont expérimentées au Québec depuis quelques années et elles furent bien reçues par les agences forestières et fauniques aussi bien que par l'industrie forestière.Mots-clés : aménagement forestier, aménagement écosystémique, caribou des bois, écotype forestier, forêt ...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest management guidelines for forest-dwelling caribou in Québec

Courtois¹,

Ouellet²,

Dussault³

et al. 2004

The Forestry Chronicle

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“…Historically, Moose (Alces alces) and Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were the primary ungulate species found in this region of Alberta, although both occurred at low densities compared with much of North America (Hauge and Keith 1981;Stuart-Smith et al 1997). Previous research showed that Moose were most abundant in well-drained uplands, while Caribou were found almost exclusively in peatlands (James et al 2004).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Arboreal Lichen Use in Peatlands by White-tailed Deer, <em>Odocoileus virginianus</em>, in Northeastern Alberta

Boutin

2008

Can Field Nat

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Within the past 10 to 15 years, White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have extended their geographical range to include most of northern Alberta. In the boreal forest they are most abundant in well-drained upland habitat. We report the occurrence of unusually large numbers of deer seen in a large fen complex in the west side of the Athabasca River Caribou range in northeastern Alberta. Further, we report an observation that suggests that deer may be using arboreal lichen (old man's beard; Bryoria spp. and Usnea spp.) as a winter food in this region. We discuss the potential ecological ramifications of this observation for Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northeastern Alberta.

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“…Woodland caribou are known to have low productivity and high mortality rates, which often result in stable or slightly declining population trends (Bergerud, 1980;Stuart-Smith et al, 1997;Rettie & Messier, 1998;Mahoney & Virgl, 2003). The high mortality rates observed in Charlevoix since 1992 illustrate the precarious state of this reintroduced population.…”

Section: Population Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

The reintroduction of boreal caribou as a conservation strategy: A long-term assessment at the southern range limit

St‐Laurent

Dussault

2012

Ran

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Boreal caribou were extirpated from the Charlevoix region (Québec) in the 1920s because of hunting and poaching. In 1965, the Québec government initiated a caribou reintroduction program in Charlevoix. During the winters of 1966 and 1967, a total of 48 boreal caribou were captured, translocated by plane, and released within enclosures; only their offspring (82 individuals) were released in the wild. Between 1967 and 1980, a wolf control program was applied to support caribou population growth. The caribou population, however, remained relatively stable at 45-55 individuals during this period. During the 1980s, the population grew slowly at a rate of approximately 5% each year to reach a peak of 126 individuals in 1992. At that time, Bergerud & Mercer (1989) reported that the Charlevoix experiment was the only successful attempt at caribou reintroduction in the presence of predators (in North America). Afterwards, the population declined and since then it has been relatively stable at about 80 individuals. Here we reviewed the literature regarding the ecology and population dynamics of the Charlevoix caribou herd since its reintroduction, in an attempt to critically assess the value of reintroduction as a conservation tool for this species. Indeed, the Charlevoix caribou herd is now considered at very high risk of extinction mostly because of its small size, its isolation from other caribou populations, and low recruitment. The Charlevoix region has been heavily impacted by forestry activities since the early 1980s. Recent studies have indicated that these habitat modifications may have benefited populations of wolves and black bears-two predators of caribou-and that caribou range fidelity may have exposed caribou to higher predation risk via maladaptive habitat selection. As females are ageing, and females and calves suffer high predation pressure from wolves and bears respectively, we suggest that the future of this reintroduced herd is in question and that they are facing a high probability of extinction in the near future if further action is not taken.

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Woodland Caribou Relative to Landscape Patterns in Northeastern Alberta

Cited by 161 publications

References 0 publications

Forest management guidelines for forest-dwelling caribou in Québec

Forest management guidelines for forest-dwelling caribou in Québec

Evidence of Arboreal Lichen Use in Peatlands by White-tailed Deer, <em>Odocoileus virginianus</em>, in Northeastern Alberta

The reintroduction of boreal caribou as a conservation strategy: A long-term assessment at the southern range limit

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