Predation risk for boreal woodland caribou in human-modified landscapes: Evidence of wolf spatial responses independent of apparent competition

Mumma, Matthew A.; Gillingham, Michael P.; Parker, Katherine L.; Johnson, Chris J.; Watters, Megan

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2018.09.015

Cited by 55 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…, Mumma et al. ). Linear features may enhance the risk of predation for caribou by allowing wolves to move more quickly and potentially increase their encounter rate with caribou.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This population has a relatively low density of moose and wolves, although the predation efficiency of wolves may be increased by rapid movement along seismic lines and roads (DeMars and Boutin , Mumma et al. ). Recognizing previous and proposed efforts for caribou in western Canada, we applied scenarios that represented (1) maternal pens, (2) large‐scale predator exclosures, (3) a net reduction in the density of linear features through restoration, and (4) lethal wolf control (Table ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling multispecies predator–prey dynamics: predicting the outcomes of conservation actions for woodland caribou

2019

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Woodland caribou is a Threatened or Endangered subspecies across much of Canada. In many cases, these caribou are declining because of human‐mediated predation in the form of apparent competition. Provincial and federal agencies have employed a number of conservation actions to arrest the decline, but insufficient time and limited replication make it difficult to test the efficacy of those activities. We built a three‐species population model that served as a tool to integrate current knowledge, explore uncertainties, and assess activities focused on the recovery of caribou. We applied the model to interconnected populations of caribou, moose, and wolves at two locations in Canada (Chinchaga [British Columbia], Charlevoix [Québec]) and explored the efficacy of conservation actions unique to each population: predator control, restoration of linear features, reduction of habitat for moose, supplementation, maternal pens, and predator exclosures. Results confirmed that caribou at these two locations faced different recovery challenges, dictated by specific population dynamics and threats. Wolf predation, enhanced by seismic lines and resource roads, was responsible for the decline of the simulated Chinchaga population. The most cost‐effective recovery actions for that population were long‐term lethal wolf control (λ1–50 = 1.014, $25,665/caribou), a large‐scale predator exclosure (λ1–50 = 1.015, $170,767/caribou), and the aggressive restoration of linear features (λ1–50 = 1.002, $531,675/caribou). In contrast, simulations suggested that calf predation by black bears, a fixed source of mortality in the model, limited the growth of the Charlevoix population. Assuming high survival of adult caribou and poor recruitment of juveniles, a maternal pen was the most effective action for the recovery of those caribou (λ1–50 = 1.004, $148,473/caribou). Short‐term population supplementation provided only a temporary increase in abundance (λ1–50 = 0.994, $62,143/caribou). The model was limited by ecological and data uncertainties, but served as an effective platform for representing and testing our understanding of the complex interspecific interactions that underlie the recovery of woodland caribou.

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“…, Mumma et al. ). Linear features may enhance the risk of predation for caribou by allowing wolves to move more quickly and potentially increase their encounter rate with caribou.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling multispecies predator–prey dynamics: predicting the outcomes of conservation actions for woodland caribou

2019

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“…, DeMars and Boutin , Mumma et al. ). Wolves avoided wetlands and selected for LFs in wetlands (DeMars and Boutin ), and Mumma et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wolves avoided wetlands and selected for LFs in wetlands (DeMars and Boutin ), and Mumma et al. () estimated higher wolf–caribou co‐occurrence due to LFs. Both studies are thus indicating a loss of caribou refuge due to LFs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Slowing down wolves to protect boreal caribou populations: a spatial simulation model of linear feature restoration

et al. 2019

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In Canada, boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) are declining in numbers, in part due to increased predation by wolves (Canis lupus). One management option to reduce wolf–caribou interactions and thus protect caribou is to remove man‐made linear features (LFs), structures such as roads, trails, and cut lines, which are used by wolves as traveling paths. Linear features increase wolf traveling speed and could additionally facilitate wolf entry into caribou habitat. Our goal was to quantify the expected effect of LF removal on caribou mortality and investigate whether this LF restoration could be a sufficient measure to stop caribou declines. We simulated the effects of LF restoration on caribou adult and calf survival in spatially explicit wolf–caribou encounter models. The models were parameterized using Global Positioning System (GPS) data, hidden Markov models (HMMs), and information from the published literature. Complete LF restoration decreased wolf traveling speed and thus reduced caribou mortality. The proportional reduction in adult caribou mortality ranged from 10 to 25% of its original value, and the proportional reduction in calf mortality ranged from 8 to 23%, depending on caribou density, number of wolf packs, kill probability given an encounter, and detection distance of wolves for caribou. Building on the model output, we used empirical caribou data to calculate the effects of reduced mortalities on the finite rate of annual population change, normalλ. Assuming that 25% or less of calf mortality was wolf‐related, normalλ stayed below one, that is, populations kept declining, even with complete LF restoration. With 50% of calf mortality due to wolves, caribou populations stopped declining (λ≥1) if adult and calf mortality were reduced by at least 19 to 24%. However, these values were not achieved in a majority of the parameter combinations in our study, not even with complete LF restoration. Given that LF restoration as a single measure is unlikely to stop boreal caribou populations from declining, we used a case example to illustrate how LF restoration could make a small contribution in a portfolio of short‐term and long‐term management options to reduce wolf predation on caribou.

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Ungulate occurrence in forest harvest blocks is influenced by forage availability, surrounding habitat and silviculture practices

McKay¹,

Finnegan²

2023

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Forest harvesting causes habitat loss and alteration and can change predator–prey dynamics. In Canada, forest harvesting has shifted the distribution and abundance of ungulates (deer, elk and moose) that prefer early seral forest, resulting in unsustainable caribou predation by shared predators (bears, cougars and wolves). Long‐term solutions for caribou recovery require management to reduce ungulate prey species within caribou ranges. Silviculture practices applied after forest harvesting directly affect the amount of forage available in harvested areas, and therefore influence ungulate distribution, but few studies have completed detailed assessments on how specific treatments of site preparation, planting and stand tending influence ungulate use of harvest blocks. We used camera traps, silviculture data, GIS‐derived habitat and disturbance data, and detailed vegetation data collected at field sites to investigate ungulate occurrence in harvest blocks in west‐central Alberta, Canada. We compared seasonal ungulate occurrence and investigated how site‐specific characteristics, the surrounding habitat and disturbance density, and fine‐scale silviculture treatments influenced ungulate occurrence in blocks. Deer, elk and moose occurrence was higher in summer compared to winter. Elk, moose and white‐tailed deer occurrence was higher in blocks with greater availability of specific forage species. Moose occurrence was higher in blocks with a lower road density in the surrounding area, and white‐tailed deer occurrence was higher in blocks further from seismic lines and with a lower proportion of harvest blocks in the surrounding area. Deer, elk and moose occurrence was higher in younger harvest blocks. Mule deer and white‐tailed deer occurrence was lower in blocks with higher planting densities of lodgepole pine, and mule deer occurrence was also lower in blocks that had been stand tended. Our study provides detailed information on ungulate response to fine‐scale silviculture methods used in Alberta, directly linking wildlife occurrence to forestry practices, and providing practical scientific information to inform sustainable forestry. Translating this research into practical landscape management decisions could benefit boreal biodiversity, including threatened species like caribou, and culturally and economically important species like deer, elk and moose.

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Predation risk for boreal woodland caribou in human-modified landscapes: Evidence of wolf spatial responses independent of apparent competition

Cited by 55 publications

References 45 publications

Modeling multispecies predator–prey dynamics: predicting the outcomes of conservation actions for woodland caribou

Modeling multispecies predator–prey dynamics: predicting the outcomes of conservation actions for woodland caribou

Slowing down wolves to protect boreal caribou populations: a spatial simulation model of linear feature restoration

Ungulate occurrence in forest harvest blocks is influenced by forage availability, surrounding habitat and silviculture practices

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