The significance of snow and arboreal lichen in the winter ecology of mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the North Thompson Watershed of British Columbia ...
The winter ecology of mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the North Thompson watershed of British Columbia was investigated over winters 1978-79 and 1979-80. The main objective of the study was to evaluate caribou movements and habitat use in relation to indices of energy cost of locomot...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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University of British Columbia
2010
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0096858 https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0096858 |
| Summary: | The winter ecology of mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the North Thompson watershed of British Columbia was investigated over winters 1978-79 and 1979-80. The main objective of the study was to evaluate caribou movements and habitat use in relation to indices of energy cost of locomotion in snow and to forage availability, especially arboreal lichens. These data were collected in habitats from valley bottom to alpine throughout winter. Largely because of their high arboreal lichen productivity, mature forests are regarded by wildlife managers as essential winter habitat of caribou, leading to conflicts with forest harvesting. Data were compared between mature forests and other habitat types, to evaluate their importance to caribou. An index of caribou locomotion cost in snow was caribou track depth in snow. A significant regression between caribou track depth and human sinking depth in snow permitted an estimate of caribou locomotion costs in all habitats. Locomotion costs often were greater ... |
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