Canopy, snow, and lichens on woodland caribou range in southeastern Manitoba

I examined the relationships among snow cover (api), lichen abundance, and canopy composition on the range of the Aikens Lake population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in southeastern Manitoba. Percent cover of forage lichens (Cladina spp.) was positively correlated with maximum tot...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rangifer
Main Author: James A. Schaefer
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 1996
Subjects:
habitat selection
Manitoba
foraging
Rangifer tarandus caribou
taiga
Animal culture
SF1-1100
Caribou Range
caribou
Rangifer
Rangifer tarandus
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.7557/2.16.4.1249
https://doaj.org/article/63919c3f54f0405897da97e7b6a5d67e
Description
Summary:I examined the relationships among snow cover (api), lichen abundance, and canopy composition on the range of the Aikens Lake population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in southeastern Manitoba. Percent cover of forage lichens (Cladina spp.) was positively correlated with maximum total thickness and with maximum vertical hardness of api. Mixed communities of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), spruce (Picea spp.), and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) showed the most favourable nival conditions for caribou but had low lichen abundance; those dominated by jack pine (Pinus banksiana) were the converse. The results suggest an energetic compromise for woodland caribou when foraging for terrestrial lichens. During winter, caribou exhibited significant selection for jack pine communities whereas mixed communities were avoided.

Similar Items