Declines in Populations of Woodland Caribou

McLoughlin, Philip D.; Dzus, Elston; Wynes, B. O. B.; Boutin, Stan

doi:10.2307/3802682

Cited by 162 publications

(173 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…These findings are consistent with those of other ecotypes of woodland caribou (Bergerud & Elliot, 1986;Rettie & Messier, 1998;McLoughlin et al, 2003). However, if the negative effect on caribou of the altered predatorprey system can be resolved through predator-prey management, then management must focus on maintaining suitable foraging conditions for mountain caribou.…”

Section: Management Implicationssupporting

confidence: 79%

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A synthesis of scale-dependent ecology of the endangered mountain caribou in British Columbia, Canada

Serrouya¹,

McLellan²,

Apps³

et al. 2008

Ran

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Mountain caribou are an endangered ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) that live in highprecipitation, mountainous ecosystems of southeastern British Columbia and northern Idaho. The distribution and abundance of these caribou have declined dramatically from historical figures. Results from many studies have indicated that mountain caribou rely on old conifer forests for several life-history requirements including an abundance of their primary winter food, arboreal lichen, and a scarcity of other ungulates and their predators. These old forests often have high timber value, and understanding mountain caribou ecology at a variety of spatial scales is thus required to develop effective conservation strategies. Here we summarize results of studies conducted at three different spatial scales ranging from broad limiting factors at the population level to studies describing the selection of feeding sites within seasonal home ranges of individuals. The goal of this multi-scale review is to provide a more complete picture of caribou ecology and to determine possible shifts in limiting factors across scales. Our review produced two important results. First, mountain caribou select old forests and old trees at all spatial scales, signifying their importance for foraging opportunities as well as conditions required to avoid alternate ungulates and their predators. Second, relationships differ across scales. For example, landscapes dominated by roads and edges negatively affect caribou survival, but appear to attract caribou during certain times of the year. This juxtaposition of fine-scale behaviour with broad-scale vulnerability to predation could only be identified through integrated multi-scale analyses of resource selection. Consequently we suggest that effective management strategies for endangered species require an integrative approach across multiple spatial scales to avoid a focus that may be too narrow to maintain viable populations.

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Section: Management Implicationssupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Bergerud & Elliot, 1986;Rettie & Messier, 1998;McLoughlin et al, 2003) in that they feed 1 In some other jurisdictions, the term "mountain caribou" refers to another ecotype of woodland caribou inhabiting mountainous areas but not primarily reliant on arboreal lichen. See Heard & Vagt (1998) or Wittmer et al (2005a) for a range map.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A synthesis of scale-dependent ecology of the endangered mountain caribou in British Columbia, Canada

Serrouya¹,

McLellan²,

Apps³

et al. 2008

Ran

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“…Recruitment of caribou in Eastern North America is limited by wolf and bear predation [25,43,44]. Given that only 5 per cent of all deaths of caribou calves in the Charlevoix region could be attributed to wolf predation, the habitat selection tactics appear effective at avoiding this predator.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

et al. 2012

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The impact of anthropogenic disturbance on the fitness of prey should depend on the relative effect of human activities on different trophic levels. This verification remains rare, however, especially for large animals. We investigated the functional link between habitat selection of female caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and the survival of their calves, a fitness correlate. This top-down controlled population of the threatened forestdwelling caribou inhabits a managed forest occupied by wolves (Canis lupus) and black bears (Ursus americanus). Sixty-one per cent of calves died from bear predation within two months following their birth. Variation in habitat selection tactics among mothers resulted in different mortality risks for their calves. When calves occupied areas with few deciduous trees, they were more likely to die from predation if the local road density was high. Although caribou are typically associated with pristine forests, females selected recent cutovers without negative impact on calf survival. This selection became detrimental, however, as regeneration took place in harvested stands owing to increased bear predation. We demonstrate that human disturbance has asymmetrical consequences on the trophic levels of a food web involving multiple large mammals, which resulted in habitat selection tactics with a greater short-term fitness payoff and, therefore, with higher evolutionary opportunity.

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“…Predation is a well-understood cause of caribou mortality (Seip 1992, Schaefer et al 1999, Environment Canada 2012. Whereas the influence of habitat alteration (McLoughlin et al 2003, Vors et al 2007, Environment Canada 2012, changed predator-prey dynamics (Seip 1992, Vors et al 2007, Boreal Caribou Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge -Aseniwuche Winewak Nation 2010, Wittmer et al 2010), linear features (James and Stuart-Smith 2000, Government of Alberta 2016, Pigeon et al 2016, and changes in forest structure due to mountain pine beetle infestations and/or associated salvage logging (Williston andCichowski 2004, Cichowski andHaeussler 2013) are more complex. It has become clear that unsustainable predation throughout the Canadian range of woodland caribou is facilitated by habitat change and altered predator-prey dynamics (Seip 1992, Festa-Bianchet et al 2011, Environment Canada 2012.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Rapai¹,

McColl²,

McMullin³

2017

The Forestry Chronicle

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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

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Declines in Populations of Woodland Caribou

Cited by 162 publications

References 20 publications

A synthesis of scale-dependent ecology of the endangered mountain caribou in British Columbia, Canada

A synthesis of scale-dependent ecology of the endangered mountain caribou in British Columbia, Canada

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

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

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