Photo by Doug Heard

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Habitat Use and Population Status of Woodland
Caribou in the Central Rocky Mountains Ecoregion
Elena Jones Master of Science Candidate University
of Northern British Columbia Michael Gillingham
Advisor
Photo by Doug Heard
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Presentation Outline

1. Population Distribution
2. Seasonal Habitat Use
3. Seasonal Forage Type
4. Demographics
5. Summary

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ALPINE Feeding Type Terrestrial Vegetation -
Foraging site investigations indicate that all
caribou using alpine habitat (Kennedy, Quintette,
and Moberly) foraged on terrestrial lichens and
sedges in early and late winter.
Cratering Site on Hillside Behind Caribou
Alpine Crater
Cratering in Alpine Habitat
Windswept Alpine
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SUBALPINE FOREST Feeding Type Arboreal
Lichen Foraging site investigations indicate
that all caribou using subalpine forest habitat
(Kennedy, Quintette, Moberly and Parsnip) foraged
only on arboreal lichens in early and late winter.
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POPULATION ESTIMATE, CALF RECRUITMENT, ADULT
MORTALITY
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Summary

• Woodland caribou use of macro habitat and forest
  stand types is highly variable across the
  landscape.
• Northern caribou in the study area use a high
  proportion of subalpine forest habitat,
  particularly Kennedy Siding caribou.
• Northern caribou in the study area use a high
  proportion of spruce/fir stands in subalpine
  forest habitat.
• Northern caribou are foraging for arboreal
  lichens in early and late winter in subalpine
  forest habitat.
• Recruitment and adult mortality rates indicate
  that these populations are currently stable.
• Future data collection and analysis will focus on
  understanding the variables (e.g. snow depth,
  snow hardness, forage abundance, stand
  attributes) that influence habitat selection
  across the range of woodland caribou ecotypes.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Committee
• Michael Gillingham (UNBC)
• Kathy Parker (UNBC)
• Dale Seip (BC Ministry of Forests)
• Doug Heard (Water, Land and Air Protection)
• Glen Watts (Water, Land and Air Protection)
• Field and Technical Assistance
• Tracy Hunter
• Mike Wolowitz
• Funding
• Forestry Innovation Investment
• Canadian Forest Products Ltd.
• McGregor Model Forest