The influence of snow depth and hardness on winter habitat selection by caribou on the southwest coast of Newfoundland

• Published in: Rangifer
• Main Authors: Brian Tucker, Shane Mahoney, Bill Greene, Eric Menchenton, Lloyd Russell
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 1991
• Subjects: habitat ecology; caribou distribution; snow depth; Newfoundland; grazingf; foraging ecology; Animal culture; SF1-1100; caribou; Rangifer
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.7557/2.11.4.1010; https://doaj.org/article/94f256deba494716a3972d07f55650d6

LaPoile Herd caribou winter in the coastal margin of their range in southwestern Newfoundland. Reduced snow depths near the coast (0-20 km inland), as a result of moderated winter temperatures and low elevations, appear to provide more favourable foraging conditions than do areas further inland. In the latter areas greatly increased snow depth and hardness combine to create very extreme winter conditions and these areas are avoided by caribou throughout the winter period.