Demographic and behavioural response of woodland caribou to forest harvesting

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Courtois, Réhaume; Gingras, André; Fortin, Daniel; Sebbane, Aïssa; Rochette, Bruno; Breton, Laurier

Source:

Canadian Journal of Forest Research, NRC Research Press, Volume 38, Issue 11, p.2837-2849 (2008)

Call Number:

A08COU01IDUS

Keywords:

logging, Rangifer tarandus, Rangifer tarandus caribou, woodland caribou

Abstract:

The authors investigated whether woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) would remain in a 2,772 km2 area in eastern Quebec where the forest management plan included preserving large forest blocks (35–182 km2) linked with >400-m-wide corridors and where cuts were amalgamated in large zones. To evaluate changes in caribou abundance and habitat selection, from March 1998 to March 2005 five aerial surveys were conducted and 13 to 22 female caribou were followed each year by telemetry. Caribou numbers declined by 59% between 1999 and 2001 but gradually recovered to initial abundance. Female survival increased from 73.3% in 1999 to 87.3–93.4% in 2004 and 2005. Caribou selected protected forest blocks, used corridors in proportion to their availability, and avoided logged areas. Throughout the study, they preferred closed conifer stands without terrestrial lichens and open conifer stands with or without terrestrial lichens. They avoided open habitats (clearcuts and burns), regenerating sites, mixed and deciduous stands, and water bodies. The main zones used by caribou gradually shifted toward the southwest of the study area, probably because of disturbance and habitat loss due to logging of mature conifers in the east. The authors conclude that caribou numbers were maintained within the managed area as a result of presence of protected blocks and uncut continuous forest.