Ecological Relationships Between Threatened Caribou Herds and Their Habitat in the Central Rocky Mountains Ecoregion
The purpose of this project was to determine the distribution and abundance of threatened caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations within the Central Rocky Mountains Ecoregion. We conducted late winter population surveys and counted a total of 687 caribou in this area. Using correction factor...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2001
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.567.5492 http://www.centralbccaribou.ca/downloads/scbcreport.pdf |
| Summary: | The purpose of this project was to determine the distribution and abundance of threatened caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations within the Central Rocky Mountains Ecoregion. We conducted late winter population surveys and counted a total of 687 caribou in this area. Using correction factors and/or other information to account for missed animals, we arrive at a total population estimate of 1050 caribou. The overall calf recruitment was 17 % calves which indicates a stable population. Caribou were distributed throughout most of the ecoregion, but were largely absent from the steep terrain along the central divide. Caribou on the west side of the ecoregion were located primarily in subalpine ESSF forests where they were feeding on arboreal lichens. Caribou on the east side of the ecoregion were located primarily in windswept alpine areas where they were feeding on terrestrial lichens. This information improves our understanding of the current status of threatended caribou |
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