Managing for Caribou Survival in a Partitioned Habitat

Abstract

Forest management guidelines for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Ontario need to be re-examined in light of the finding that caribou partition habitat with moose (Alces alces), partly to find virtual refuges from pre¬ dation by gray wolves (Canis lupus). Forest-wide guidelines seem inappropriate for a species that is widely scattered and little known. Management should concentrate on and around currently used virtual refuges to ensure their continued habitability. Cutting these areas may force the caribou into places with higher densities of predators; winter use of roads might bring poachers, increased wolf entry, and accidents. A proposal for 100 km 2 clear-cuts scheduled over 60+ years across the forest landscape would probably minimize moose/wolf densities in the long run as intended, but because of habitat partitioning might forfeit any benefits to caribou in the short-term. Sharply reducing moose densities near areas where caribou have sought refuge might incline wolves to switch to caribou. Cutting beyond caribou winter refuge areas should aim at maintaining current moose densities to prevent wolves from switching prey species. Operations level manipulation of the forest around each wintering area should provide winter habitat for the future, while treatment replications with controls across the whole forest would provide reliable knowledge about which approaches work best. The remainder of the forest should be managed to maintain suitable densities of all other species.

Will ecosystem management supply woodland caribou habitat in northwestern Ontario?

“…The issue of wood supply and caribou habitat is also difficult to reconcile. Other criticism is based on caribou and moose partitioning their habitat (Cumming, 1996), thus avoiding the predator pit problem espoused by Bergerud (1983).…”

“…Predation and its impact on woodland caribou and moose has also been the subject of intense discussion and speculation, (e.g. Bergerud, 1983;Seip, 1991;Cumming, 1996). While these are important topics, they would not be the major concern in an ecosystem approach to managing northern forests.…”

Developing a woodland caribou habitat mosaic on the Ogoki-Nakina North Forests of northwestern Ontario

“…Critical/core caribou wintering areas or "virtual refuges" (Cumming, 1996) are to be avoided in Timber Management Plan allocations and road corridors. In addition an uncut buffer should be considered around large or contiguous, clearly defined areas of wintering habitat (Cumming, 1992;Cumming & Beange, 1993).…”

7th North Armerican Caribou Conference, 19-21 August 1996, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

“…The issue of wood supply and caribou habitat is also difficult to reconcile. Other criticism is based on caribou and moose partitioning their habitat (Cumming, 1996), thus avoiding the predator pit problem espoused by Bergerud (1983).…”

“…Bergerud, 1983;Seip, 1991;Cumming, 1996). While these are important topics, they would not be the major concern in an ecosystem approach to managing northern forests.…”