Evaluating functional recovery of habitat for threatened woodland caribou

Dickie, Melanie; Serrouya, Robert; DeMars, Craig A.; Cranston, Jerome; Boutin, Stan

doi:10.1002/ecs2.1936

Cited by 45 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…Third, numerous studies have found that the dense linear features (oil and gas seismic lines) and road networks that characterize managed forest landscapes improve the mobility of predators (James and Stuart‐Smith , Dickie et al. ) and the encounter probabilities with prey (Whittington et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exposure to historical burn rates shapes the response of boreal caribou to timber harvesting

et al. 2019

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Studying the response of wildlife to anthropogenic disturbances in light of their evolutionary history may help explain their capacity to adapt to novel ecological conditions. In the North American boreal forest, wildfire has been the main natural disturbance driving ecosystem dynamics for thousands of years. Boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is a threatened ungulate for which widespread decline has been associated with the rapid expansion of timber harvesting across its range. Although caribou may not be adapted to this new type of disturbance, cutovers share many similarities with wildfires by producing large landscapes of whole‐stand removal associated with an increased predation risk for caribou. We hypothesized that caribou with more evolutionary experience of fire disturbance should better perceive the cues associated with disturbances and adjust their behavior toward human disturbance accordingly. Given the extensive distribution of caribou populations in the boreal forest, we assessed how their historical exposure to wildfires could explain their behavioral response toward both burned and cutover areas. Our results indicate that caribou from regions with high historical burn rates displayed a consistent avoidance of recent burns (<5 yr old), and that this behavior translated in a similar avoidance of recent cutover, providing support to the cue similarity hypothesis. On the contrary, caribou with less evolutionary experience of wildfires were more likely to select recently disturbed (<5 yr‐old and 6–20 yr‐old) habitats. In the context that timber harvesting and its associated road network has been linked to increased mortality in boreal caribou populations, we discuss how this naïve habitat use of clearcuts can be exacerbated by historical disturbance regimes and become maladaptive for this endangered species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Dickie et al. ). We tackle these two hypotheses in a non‐mutually exclusive perspective (sensu Quinn and Dunham ) given that they can both contribute to our understanding of the behavioral plasticity of boreal populations of woodland caribou toward open habitats and its consequences throughout its distribution range.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to historical burn rates shapes the response of boreal caribou to timber harvesting

et al. 2019

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“…Parameterization (using package 'circular'; Agostinelli & Lund, ) was done based on 'moving' steps only. Moving steps were defined as >20.53 m for wolves and >25.86 m for bears (based on a broken‐stick analysis following the methods of Dickie, Serrouya, Demars, et al, ), and >16 m (collar error; Dickie, ) for moose and caribou because the result of their broken‐stick analysis revealed a breakpoint occurring below collar error.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Movement was evaluated as functions of habitat attributes along each step, that is if the step was on undisturbed forest (the reference category) compared to anthropogenic LFs, polygonal disturbances and riparian habitat. Observed and random steps were classified as being on anthropogenic LFs or polygonal disturbances if both the start and end points were closer than, or equal to, the buffered width of each feature (transmission lines‐37m; high‐grade roads and railways‐30m; pipelines‐20m; low‐grade roads and ice roads‐12m; conventional seismic‐10m; and low‐impact seismic‐7m) following the methods of Dickie, Serrouya, Demars, et al (). If a step was contained within the buffer of multiple anthropogenic LF classes, that step was assigned to the anthropogenic LF class with the largest width.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Behavioural responses via use, selection or movement examined independently may be misinterpreted without being put into context with the other patterns. For example, animals moving slowly through certain habitats are consistent with attraction (Knegt, Hengeveld, Langevelde, Boer, & Kirkman, ) or movement impediment (Avgar et al, ; Fuller, ), whereas fast movements are consistent with either an escape from risk or facilitated movement (Dickie, Serrouya, Demars, Cranston, & Boutin, ; Frair et al, ). By simultaneously evaluating movement and habitat use, coupled with increasing spatio‐temporal resolution in locational data, we can begin to clarify the mechanisms that determine space use and the likelihood of interactions among species (Avgar et al, ; Fortin et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Corridors or risk? Movement along, and use of, linear features varies predictably among large mammal predator and prey species

Dickie

McNay²,

Sutherland³

et al. 2019

Journal of Animal Ecology

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131

130

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Space‐use behaviour reflects trade‐offs in meeting ecological needs and can have consequences for individual survival and population demographics. The mechanisms underlying space use can be understood by simultaneously evaluating habitat selection and movement patterns, and fine‐resolution locational data are increasing our ability to do so. We use high‐resolution location data and an integrated step‐selection analysis to evaluate caribou, moose, bear, and wolf habitat selection and movement behaviour in response to anthropogenic habitat modification, though caribou data were limited. Space‐use response to anthropogenic linear features (LFs) by predators and prey is hypothesized to increase predator hunting efficiency and is thus believed to be a leading factor in woodland caribou declines in western Canada. We found that all species moved faster while on LFs. Wolves and bears were also attracted towards LFs, whereas prey species avoided them. Predators and prey responded less strongly and consistently to natural features such as streams, rivers and lakeshores. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that LFs facilitate predator movement and increase hunting efficiency, while prey perceive such features as risky. Understanding the behavioural mechanisms underlying space‐use patterns is important in understanding how future land‐use may impact predator–prey interactions. Explicitly linking behaviour to fitness and demography will be important to fully understand the implications of management strategies.

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Walking the line: Investigating biophysical characteristics related to wildlife use of linear features

Tattersall¹,

Pigeon²,

MacNearney³

et al. 2023

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Habitat restoration is a necessary component of wildlife conservation in anthropogenic landscapes. To ensure restoration initiatives achieve the desired effects on wildlife communities, it is useful to investigate how animals use landscape features. Understanding the relationships between wildlife use and ecological cues provides specific and measurable targets that can be used to measure restoration success. In western Canada, linear feature networks formed by seismic lines, pipelines and roads have altered the boreal forest landscape and resulted in population declines for woodland caribou. Restoration is aimed at supporting caribou recovery by deterring linear feature use by caribou predators and ungulate competitors. Information on how linear feature characteristics facilitate or deter wildlife use supports restoration initiatives by providing specific targets for restoration. Here, we used wildlife track and sign data to investigate biophysical characteristics related to the use of linear features by canines, bears, deer, elk and moose in caribou ranges of west‐central and north‐western Alberta and British Columbia. We built generalized linear mixed models consistent with three hypotheses that could explain likely mechanisms for use: (1) ease of movement, (2) risk avoidance and (3) resource availability (prey and forage). Moose, deer, elk and bears were more likely to use linear features with either human or game trails. Bears and canines were less likely to use seismic lines with greater lateral vegetation cover and taller vegetation, respectively. Moose, deer and elk were more likely to use linear features with a greater cover of ungulate forage taxa such as willow, birch, sedges and forbs. These results suggest that restoration focusing on trails, online vegetation structure and online vegetation type should deter predators and ungulate prey species to the overall benefit of caribou. Our study corroborates the findings of other research recommending structural and functional restoration using high‐intensity line blocking and vegetative regeneration. We provide specific targets for linear feature restoration to assist in prioritization according to restoration objectives, which translates to a broader goal of linking local‐level restoration actions to landscape‐level conservation goals. This approach to restoration has implications for any major system experiencing anthropogenic landscape change.

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Evaluating functional recovery of habitat for threatened woodland caribou

Cited by 45 publications

References 56 publications

Exposure to historical burn rates shapes the response of boreal caribou to timber harvesting

Exposure to historical burn rates shapes the response of boreal caribou to timber harvesting

Corridors or risk? Movement along, and use of, linear features varies predictably among large mammal predator and prey species

Walking the line: Investigating biophysical characteristics related to wildlife use of linear features

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