scholarly journals Seasonal Habitat Use and Movements of Mountain Goats, Oreamnos americanus, in East-central British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G. Poole ◽  
Douglas C. Heard
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
East Central ◽  
Oreamnos Americanus ◽  
Mountain Goats ◽  
Mineral Licks ◽  
Forest Use

To identify the potential for adverse effects of forest development on Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus), we documented the patterns of forest use by goats and the factors influencing goat habitat use. We used a combination of 15 very high frequency (VHF) and six global positioning system (GPS) radiocollars to document the distribution and movements of 21 (15 female, 6 male) goats from 1997 to 1999 in the mountains surrounding the Robson Valley in east-central British Columbia. Because canopy closure reduces the likelihood that a GPS receiver will obtain a location fix, we estimated that GPS collars underrepresented forest use by about 23%. Three goats used separate winter and summer ranges separated by 8–13 km, while most simply exhibited seasonal shifts in elevation. In winter, goats were more often at lower elevations, in commercial forest stands, on southerly aspects, and moved less each hour and over the course of the winter. Goat use declined in areas >500 m from escape terrain and goats were found lower in elevation from evening to dawn compared to daylight hours. Collared goats used high elevation licks, which were either within their home range, or in two cases, 6 and 14 km from their typical home range. We documented use of known mid-elevation mineral licks by three collared goats, but no use of known low elevation (valley bottom and lower slopes) mineral licks. Robson Valley goats appeared to be at relatively low risk from disturbances related to logging, because although forest use was documented during winter, it occurred primarily on high elevation, steep slopes where trees are currently of low commercial value, and goats made little use of low elevation mineral licks. We recommend that in this area a forested buffer of 500 m around cliffs be left to reduce the possibility of adverse effects on goats especially, on southerly aspects above 1300 m.

Wintering strategies by mountain goats in interior mountains

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G. Poole ◽  
Kari Stuart-Smith ◽  
Irene E. Teske
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Habitat Model ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Oreamnos Americanus ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Juvenile Mortality ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Mountain Goats ◽  
Selection For

As with many ungulates inhabiting areas with potentially deep snow, winter is an important season for mountain goats ( Oreamnos americanus (de Blainville, 1816)) and is characterized by restricted movements and high juvenile mortality. We examined winter habitat selection and wintering strategies by mountain goats in two adjacent areas of southeastern British Columbia characterized by deep, moist snow and by shallow, dry snow. Fifteen GPS collars were placed on mountain goats in each area over two winters. Winter-range size did not differ between areas and comprised, on average, 2.2%–7.4% of male home range and 8.0%–14.1% of female home range. Topographic variables dominated habitat model selection. At the broad scale, mountain goats in both areas selected winter ranges closer to escape terrain on warmer aspects that contained lesser amounts of mature dense forest. At the fine scale, mountain goats in both areas selected rugged habitat at upper mid-elevations and on warmer aspects. Alpine areas were avoided in the deep snow area and selected in the shallow snow area. No selection for mature forests was observed in either area. Mountain goats, therefore, appeared to utilize open, high-elevation habitats in shallow snow zones, but they did not seek reduced snow levels in mature forest stands in deep snow areas.

Dispersal, home-range size, and habitat use of an endangered land snail, the Oregon forestsnail (Allogona townsendiana)

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 875-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.B. Edworthy ◽  
K.M.M. Steensma ◽  
H.M. Zandberg ◽  
P.L. Lilley
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Land Snail ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Land Snails ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Maximum Displacement

Terrestrial molluscs have declined globally, often as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation. Many land snails are poor dispersers and exist in isolated habitat patches. The Oregon forestsnail ( Allogona townsendiana (I. Lea, 1838)) coincides with the most densely populated region of British Columbia and is listed as endangered in Canada. To investigate the dispersal distances and habitat-use patterns of Oregon forestsnails, we tagged and tracked 21 adult snails at Langley, British Columbia, for up to 3 years (2005–2008). The maximum daily dispersal distance for a snail was 4.5 m and the maximum displacement that we observed for a snail was 32.2 m during 3 years. Snails occupied home-range areas of 18.4–404.4 m2, often overlapping both forest and meadow habitat. Their home-range sizes were smaller in habitats with high availability of stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica L.), which may be an indicator of high-quality habitat. Our results suggest that the Oregon forestsnail is a relatively sedentary species with limited dispersal ability in its adult stage. Although Oregon forestsnails are likely unable to colonize suitable habitat independently, remnant forest–meadow mosaic patches such as our study site provide valuable habitat for Oregon forestsnail, which are supplementary to large tracts of intact forest where most of their populations are found.

scholarly journals Home range and habitat use of the Vulnerable Virginia northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus in the Central Appalachian Mountains, USA

Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Menzel ◽  
W. Mark Ford ◽  
John W. Edwards ◽  
Tamara M. Terry
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Kernel Method ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Glaucomys Sabrinus ◽  
Ecosystem Research ◽  
Flying Squirrel ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Northern Flying Squirrel

The Virginia northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus is a Vulnerable sciurid that has experienced a 90% reduction of suitable high elevation boreal montane forest habitat over the last century in the central Appalachians of West Virginia and Virginia, USA. Using radiotelemetry and GIS analyses we examined the species' home range size and habitat use in the Monongahela National Forest, Kumbrabow State Forest and the MeadWestvaco Ecosystem Research Forest in West Virginia during the summers of 2000–2003. The mean home range sizes of male and female squirrels were 54.2 and 15.3 ha, respectively, based on the adaptive kernel method. Euclidean distance analysis indicated the squirrels used spruce, mixed spruce-northern hardwood, and open habitats more than was available across the landscape. Selection of spruce and mixed spruce-northern hardwood habitats indicates that forest management activities designed to restore and increase these types in the central Appalachian landscape are required to conserve and increase this Vulnerable species.

Agonistic behavior among mountain goats foraging in winter

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 2585-2588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Masteller ◽  
James A. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Agonistic Behavior ◽  
Dominance Order ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Oreamnos Americanus ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Average Group ◽  
Mountain Goats ◽  
Mineral Licks ◽  
Average Group Size

During two winters we studied agonistic behavior of foraging mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) in both natural and manipulated conditions. By maintaining food pellets at bait site we tested two hypotheses: (i) dominant goats will have primary access to the food, and (ii) kids of dominant nannies will have access to the food with their mothers. At the bait site, average group size was larger and goats in each sex–age class were more aggressive compared with those away from the site. The dominance order among sex–age classes at the bait was similar to that reported at mineral licks, except that 2-year-old males dominated adult females. When goats fed at the bait site, adult females with kids were very aggressive and nanny–kid distances decreased. At the bait, an orphan kid received much aggression, while kids with their mothers received few threats. At the bait site, dominant goats had primary, but not exclusive, access to the bait and kids fed with their mothers, which supported our hypotheses.

Space and habitat use by the threatened Gaspé caribou in southeastern Quebec

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1922-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Ouellet ◽  
Jean Ferron ◽  
Luc Sirois
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Alpine Habitat ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
High Elevations

The space and habitat use patterns of the threatened Gaspé caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were documented using telemetry. Between 1987 and 1992, 701 radiolocations were recorded, primarily for adult females (n = 28). Five habitats available to caribou (hardwood, immature, mature fir, mature spruce, alpine) are described and biomass of arboreal lichen, an important winter food source, is estimated. Regardless of sex and age, almost all locations (91%) were recorded within the limits of Gaspé Provincial Park. Home-range size of adult females averaged 148 km2 (convex polygon); 95% of adult female locations were within 107 km2 and 50% within 15 km2 (harmonic mean). Home-range sizes were small and did not vary seasonally or annually. Throughout the year caribou were located more frequently than expected at high elevations (> 915 m) and less frequently than expected at low elevations (0–685 m). Consequently, alpine habitat was used more frequently than expected. Caribou concentrated their activity in two distinct areas: the alpine plateaus of Mont Albert and Mont Jacques-Cartier. No caribou used both areas (with the exception of a lone female). These two caribou groups should be viewed as two subpopulations. The biomass of arboreal lichens was greatest in mature fir and spruce stands, with 50–60 kg/ha available at a height of 4 m. The altitudinal distribution of this resource may partly explain the strong selection of high-elevation sites made by caribou in winter. Our results also support the hypothesis that cow–calf groups remain at high elevations to reduce the risk of predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) and black bears (Ursus americanus). The proximity of mature forests and alpine habitat, at high elevations, in two areas of the park may explain the small extent of adult female home ranges and the segregation of Gaspé caribou into two groups.

scholarly journals Translocation and Recovery Efforts for the Telkwa Caribou, Rangifer tarandus caribou, Herd in Westcentral British Columbia, 1997-2005

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Vik Stronen ◽  
Paul Paquet ◽  
Stephen Herrero ◽  
Seán Sharpe ◽  
Nigel Waters
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Lower Elevation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Elevations

During 1997–1999, 32 Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were translocated from the Sustut Herd to the Telkwa Mountains in westcentral British Columbia to augment recovery of the Telkwa Caribou Herd. The animals were fitted with radiocollars and located during 1997–2000 to determine selection of habitat features and terrain variables. Six Caribou calves were also collared to determine causes and timing of calf mortality during summer 1999. Defining available habitat for newly translocated animals is often arbitrary and subjective, and we based the analyses on ranks for habitat use and availability as this is less sensitive to the inclusion or exclusion of a questionable resource. This method represents some loss of information but provides indications of the relative importance of various habitat types without classifying any as avoided. High elevation habitat (> 1700 masl) on moderate slopes (16 – 45°) received the highest ranks, as did “warm” (136 – 315°) aspects and forests > 250 years old. Three calves died shortly after birth. One calf appeared to have been killed by predation, likely by a Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and one calf was abandoned by the cow. Cause of death for the third calf is unknown. To assess habitat use associated with calving we compared summer locations with data obtained throughout the rest of 1999 for eight cows with calves and eight without calves. We found significant difference in use of elevation during calving time, when cows with calves remained at high elevations and barren cows generally descended to lower elevation habitat. Surveys conducted in 2005, five years after the completion of the initial study, produced a count of approximately 90 Caribou. This suggests that in the short term, the translocation was successful in re-establishing a self-sustaining Caribou population in the Telkwa Mountains.

Habitat use by woodland caribou near Takla Lake in central British Columbia

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 1552-1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G Poole ◽  
Douglas C Heard ◽  
Garth Mowat
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Satellite Image ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Risk Of Predation

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) living in the mountainous areas of British Columbia are usually classified as either northern caribou, which spend much of the winter in low-elevation relatively young forests foraging primarily on terrestrial lichens, or mountain caribou, which winter in high-elevation old subalpine forests foraging exclusively on arboreal lichens. The forest-management practices necessary to conserve caribou differ substantially between these two categories of animals with different life-history strategies. Because of this variability in winter-habitat use, information relating specifically to Takla Lake caribou was required for forest management. To provide this information, we radio-collared 15 female caribou in two subherds in the vicinity of Takla Lake and determined their distribution and movements between January 1996 and May 1998 in relation to topography and vegetation cover. Habitat selection was examined using a classified satellite image. At the landscape scale, Takla Lake caribou avoided low-elevation forests (presumably because of the associated high risk of predation from wolves (Canis lupus)), occupying small seasonally overlapping home ranges (mean 151 km2) at intermediate and high elevations. Within home ranges in all seasons, caribou were most often found in the forest but, relative to availability, they selected forests only during calving. When in the forest, caribou selected open hybrid white-Engelmann spruce (Picea glauca × Picea engelmannii) - subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) forests over lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and deciduous forests in all seasons except spring. Caribou selected open spruce-fir stands over dry and closed spruce-fir stands in all seasons except calving. We conclude that caribou feed primarily on arboreal lichens in winter, because the open spruce-fir forests that they use have moderate to high arboreal lichen abundance, deep snow, and few terrestrial lichens. Takla Lake caribou were not typical of either mountain or northern caribou, but as is typical of insular populations of any species, have adapted to the food, topography, and cover types available to them on their mountain islands in a sea of moose (Alces alces) and wolves.

scholarly journals Arboreal forage lichen response to partial cutting of high elevation mountain caribou range in the Quesnel Higland of east-central British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela J. Waterhouse ◽  
Harold M. Armleder ◽  
Amanda F. Linnell Nemec
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
East Central ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Alectoria Sarmentosa ◽  
Feeding Zone

Group selection silvicultural systems have been recommended for managing mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat in high elevation Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir forests in east-central British Columbia. We measured the response of arboreal lichen (a key winter forage) to harvesting of 30% of the forested area using three partial cutting treatments, which created small (0.03 ha), medium (0.13 ha), and large (1.0 ha) openings, and a no-harvest treatment. Treatments were replicated on four sites, and monitored over a ten year post-harvest period. The short-term loss of lichen associated with removal of approximately one third of the trees was partially offset by a significant (P=0.01) increase in lichen abundance on trees in the caribou feeding zone (up to 4.5 m) in the three partial cutting treatments relative to trees in the uncut forest. Differences among treatments in the change in lichen composition, as measured by the percentage of Alectoria sarmentosa and Bryoria spp., were marginally significant (P=0.10). The partial cutting treatments showing a greater likelihood of shifting towards more Bryoria spp. than no-harvest treatment (P=0.04). In the year of harvest (1993), larger trees were found to hold more lichen than smaller trees (P=0.04), and live trees supported more lichen than dead trees (P=0.01), but lichen loading was similar among tree species (P=0.51). Tree fall rates were similar among treatments, based on the ten year average (0.6–0.8% of sample trees per year). The results indicate that caribou foraging habitat is maintained in the residual forest when group selection systems that remove only 30% of the trees are applied. Information on the distribution of lichen is useful for developing stand level prescriptions. Providing lichen bearing habitat meets just one of the needs of caribou. A comprehensive approach that considers all factors and their interactions is essential to maintain and recover the threatened mountain caribou.

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