Responses of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) to clear-cutting in east-central Newfoundland

Call Number:

URL:

Keywords:

Abstract:

Movements, sex and age structure, and habitat selection of adult woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were examined in relation to clear-cutting on summer range in east-central Newfoundland during 1987 through 1990. The authors obtained 2,473 locations of 35 radio-collared caribou during at least two consecutive summers. Locations relative to clearcuts were determined for eight males and 27 females. Distances to existing clearcuts were compared with distances to those same geographic points prior to and following the summer in which clear-cutting occurred. Four males and 10 females maintained similar mean distances from clearcuts, three males and 12 females were farther away, and two females were closer. Three other females and one male were assumed to be too distant to be affected by clear-cutting. Of those found farther away from clearcuts, females were 2 to 3 times farther away than males. Among female caribou that maintained similar mean distances to clearcuts, habitat use during clear-cutting was similar to that before and afterward. Females displaced by clear-cutting avovided open burns and hardwoods and selected mature black-spruce forest, whereas prior to cutting they used habitats in proportion to their availability. Sex and age ratios indicated that significantly fewer females and calves were present near clearcuts than elsewhere in the study area. These study results demonstrate that clear-cutting mature forests on summer range may affect the movements and distribution of woodland caribou.

Notes:

Reference Code: A93CHU01IDUS

Full Citation: Chubbs, T. E., L. B. Keith, S. P. Mahoney, and M. J. McGrath. 1993. Responses of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) to clear-cutting in east-central Newfoundland. Canadian Journal of Zoology 71(3): 487-493.

Location: ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology