Winter habitat selection and foraging patterns of mountain caribou ...
Winter habitat use and foraging patterns of mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were studied in the North Cariboo Mountains near Prince George, British Columbia. Radiotelemetry data indicated caribou used balsam-spruce stands (1373-1677 m) extensively during the early winter (Nov-Dec) perio...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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University of British Columbia
2009
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0086919 https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0086919 |
| Summary: | Winter habitat use and foraging patterns of mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were studied in the North Cariboo Mountains near Prince George, British Columbia. Radiotelemetry data indicated caribou used balsam-spruce stands (1373-1677 m) extensively during the early winter (Nov-Dec) period. During late winter (Jan-Apr) caribou shifted to higher elevation subalpine parkland habitats, however, mid-elevation balsam-spruce stands continued to be used extensively in 1992-93 when snow accumulation was below normal. A hierarchical analysis of caribou foraging decisions (following caribou tracks in snow) during the early winter suggested caribou are using balsam-spruce forests in a random manner as they search for recently windthrown trees. Caribou appeared to make coarse-grained (i.e., non-random) decisions at relatively large spatial scales including home range selection (Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir biogeoclimatic zone) and habitats (balsam-spruce) within home ranges. These findings suggest that ... |
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