The influence of fire history on selection of foraging sites by barren-ground caribou

Barrier, Tara A.; Johnson, Chris J.

doi:10.2980/19-2-3508

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 52 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Caribou in this study displayed an affinity for mature stands of forest with a high percentage of ground cover of lichen and herbaceous forage as well as post-fire areas adjacent to the burn boundary. Although our data do not reveal directly the mechanisms of selection, other studies suggest that these habitats provided ecological benefits related to forage availability (e.g., Barrier and Johnson 2012). Even where individual caribou selected for early-seral habitats, they also chose to occupy mature stands of forest yielding abundant lichen.…”

Section: Implications For Managementcontrasting

confidence: 63%

“…Studies of the winter habitat use and distribution of migratory herds of caribou have primarily shown an avoidance of portions of the range consisting of early-seral forests (Thomas et al 1996, Joly et al 2003, 2007a, Barrier and Johnson 2012. Limited use of burned habitats may occur during early winter (November-December), likely due to the presence of early-successional graminoids and other vascular forage found in burns (Joly et al 2003) that are higher in protein and minerals during this time (Luick 1977, Fleischman 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, use of burned habitats typically occurs on a limited temporal basis and as a means of accessing upland areas of unburned forest or during movements through large post-fire areas . Immature stands typically yield deeper and denser snowpacks, as well as a greater accumulation of debris (Schaefer and Pruitt 1991) and a lower biomass of fruticose lichens compared to mature stands (Barrier and Johnson 2012). Especially in the interior of burns, increased sun and wind exposure usually result in higher snow density and a thicker layer of surface crust that likely impede caribou movement .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Distribution of barren‐ground caribou during winter in response to fire

Anderson

Johnson

2014

Ecosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. We investigated the influence of past fires on the large-scale distribution of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) in the Northwest Territories, Canada, during winter. We used an information-theoretic approach and data describing fire history, vegetation, and predation risk to develop resource selection functions that explained caribou distribution on early-and late-winter ranges. We evaluated multiple sets of models constructed across years for all caribou (pooled models) and for individual caribou by period (early and late winter). Winter range habitats important to caribou were characterized by a high percentage of ground cover of lichen and herbaceous forage and a close proximity to lakes and rivers. Although caribou avoided areas densely populated with burns, there was considerable use of early-seral habitats as well as areas adjacent to the burn boundary. Disparate selection strategies among caribou highlight the importance of investigating both individual and global resource selection models. These results suggest that at some spatial and temporal scales, individual barren-ground caribou may be less averse to fire than previously thought.

show abstract

Section: Implications For Managementcontrasting

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Distribution of barren‐ground caribou during winter in response to fire

Anderson

Johnson

2014

Ecosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Over time, research has led to opposing views on the significance of the effects of fire on migratory caribou (Bergerud 1974;Klein 1982), although at present there is general agreement in the literature that wildfire is detrimental to caribou winter range. At the population level, caribou tend to avoid recently burned areas (Thomas et al 1996;Joly et al 2003Joly et al , 2009Barrier and Johnson 2012;Anderson and Johnson 2014), with selection by caribou primarily determined by the reduction in mature habitat and available lichen forage. Caribou tend to select mature stands (>40 years old) containing relatively abundant lichen cover (Joly et al 2003) and avoid immature stands, although recent studies have found that there may be more individual variation in the use of these areas than previously thought (Anderson and Johnson 2014), and some individuals may take advantage of these areas for increased vascular forage (Joly et al 2003).…”

Section: Winter Range Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observed and predicted effects of climate change on Arctic caribou and reindeer

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:The ability of many species to adapt to the shifting environmental conditions associated with climate change will be a key determinant of their persistence in the coming decades. This is a challenge already faced by species in the Arctic, where rapid environmental change is well underway. Caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) play a key role in Arctic ecosystems and provide irreplaceable socioeconomic value to many northern peoples. Recent decades have seen declines in many Rangifer populations, and there is strong concern that climate change is threatening the viability of this iconic Arctic species. We examine the literature to provide a thorough and full consideration of the many environmental factors that limit caribou and reindeer populations, and how these might be affected by a warming climate. Our review suggests that the response of Rangifer populations to climate change is, and will continue to be, varied in large part to their broad circumpolar distribution. While caribou and reindeer could have some resilience to climate change, current global trends in abundance undermine all but the most precautionary outlooks. Ultimately, the conservation of Rangifer populations will require careful management that considers the local and regional manifestations of climate change.Key words: climate change, caribou, reindeer, Rangifer, Arctic.Résumé : La capacité de bien des espèces à s'adapter aux conditions changeantes du milieu, associées au changement climatique, sera un facteur déterminant de leur pérennité dans les décennies à venir. Ceci constitue un défi auquel les espèces sont déjà confrontées dans l'Arctique, où la dégradation rapide de l'environnement est bien amorcée. Les caribous et les rennes (Rangifer tarandus) jouent un rôle essentiel dans les écosystèmes arctiques et apportent une valeur socio-économique irremplaçable aux populations du Nord. Au cours des dernières décennies, il y a eu des déclins dans beaucoup de populations de Rangifer et il règne une grande inquiétude que le changement climatique menace la viabilité de cette espèce iconique de l'Arctique. Nous examinons la littérature afin de fournir une étude complète et minutieuse des nombreux facteurs du milieu restreignant les populations de caribous et de rennes, et de déterminer comment ces populations pourraient être touchées par le réchauffement climatique. Notre examen suggère que la réponse des populations de Rangifer au changement climatique est, et continuera à être, diverse principalement en raison de leur vaste aire de répartition circumpolaire. Tandis que les caribous et les rennes pourraient avoir une certaine résilience au changement climatique, les tendances globales actuelles d'abondance des espèces affaiblissent toutes les perspectives sauf les plus préoccupantes. En fin de compte, la conservation des populations de Rangifer nécessitera une gestion prudente qui prenne en compte les manifestations locales et régionales de changement climatique. [Traduit par la Rédaction]

show abstract

“…Coulton et al, (2016) analyzed fire frequency in the Bathurst winter range and found that forested areas approaching the treeline isocline have not been burned in the last 40 years. Shorter trees and lower tree density may reduce the likelihood and intensity of wildfire, which consumes arboreal lichens, a preferred forage of wintering Bathurst caribou (Barrier & Johnson, 2012). Thus, the parts of the forest approaching the geographic extent of trees may have an abundance of older arboreal lichen stores that are available to caribou for longer periods of time than more southerly areas that are burned at a higher frequency.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal changes in seasonal range attributes in a declining barren-ground caribou herd

Virgl¹,

Rettie²,

Coulton³

2017

Ran

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

From 1996 to 2015 the Bathurst caribou herd has declined from approximately 349,000 to 20,000 animals. Aboriginal traditional knowledge (TK) has recently observed the later arrival of the herd below the treeline, an attribute of the autumn range. Science also predicts that seasonal range attributes (e.g., area, location) likely vary with population size, and perhaps climate. We used Aboriginal TK and science to identify several seasonal range attributes that were examined for changes through time (decreasing population abundance). Attributes of seasonal ranges for female Bathurst caribou were calculated using satellite radio-collar data from January 1996 through October 2013. Climate data from CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment Network were analyzed for trends from 1979 to 2009. Analyses showed a significant decrease in the area of post-calving and autumn ranges, but no changes in winter and spring ranges. Results supported Aboriginal TK that female caribou have shifted the autumn range farther from the treeline and moved into the forest later in the year. Analysis of climate variables found no trends at the spatio-temporal scale of the post-calving to autumn ranges. Working hypotheses to explain these patterns, which are not mutually exclusive, include reduced predation risk, increased use of core areas at lower population density, and greater utilization of areas of taiga where arboreal and ground lichen availability and accessibility are relatively higher than in the forest. This analysis demonstrates how including Aboriginal TK can lead to stronger connections and results, with potential to provide new and different insights for further investigations.

show abstract

The influence of fire history on selection of foraging sites by barren-ground caribou

Cited by 20 publications

References 52 publications

Distribution of barren‐ground caribou during winter in response to fire

Distribution of barren‐ground caribou during winter in response to fire

Observed and predicted effects of climate change on Arctic caribou and reindeer

Spatial and temporal changes in seasonal range attributes in a declining barren-ground caribou herd

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About