Delineating population units is essential for the conservation and management of a species. Applying a genetic approach to delineate units, this study identifies genetic population structure, and landscape resistance to gene flow, of the nationally threatened boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) across the ecotypes’ southern range in Saskatchewan. Three genetic clusters were delineated across the study area, with moderate genetic connectivity identified with Manitoba. Isolation-by-distance was found to be significant across Saskatchewan, and within each genetic cluster. Gene flow across clusters in Saskatchewan was high (FST = ~0.01), with genetic connectivity being lowest for the south-central cluster surrounding Prince Albert National Park (FST = ~0.03). Resistance to gene flow was identified with the following landscape variables: water, forestry, roads, wildfire, and low suitability habitat. Careful consideration of these variables in range planning will help to maintain genetic connectivity of boreal caribou across its southern range in Saskatchewan. / May 2016

Disturbance can provoke a chronic (long-term) stress response in wildlife, and can contribute to population declines. I examined the stress response of boreal woodland caribou, moose, and wolves to disturbance in eastern Manitoba by measuring cortisol concentrations in hair. Caribou cortisol concentrations were greatest for the three most southern populations, and increased with decreasing home range size. Intermediate logging (6-21 years) provided the best explanation for individual variation in caribou cortisol concentrations. Disturbance did not affect moose cortisol concentrations, but cortisol concentrations were higher in moose killed by wolves than moose collected by humans, suggesting that chronic stress in moose is linked to poor body condition and increased vulnerability to wolf predation. Wolf cortisol concentrations increased in 2012 and 2013 compared to 2011 following increased harvest pressure, and were higher in females. However, neither winter severity nor variation in wolf diet affected wolf cortisol concentrations. / October 2016

The Slate Islands caribou (Rangifer tarandis caribou) is an insular population which has experienced several population crashes and has been described as likely to succumb to extirpation. While a great deal of research has been conducted on mainland woodland caribou, factors which influence caribou distributions may differ between island and main land populations. In this thesis, I investigate relationships between habitat, landscape, anthropogenic features, population size, predation and spatial distribution of woodland caribou across the Slate Islands Provincial Park (Ontario) at the forest-patch spatial scale. Generalized linear models were used to compare observed caribou locations to available locations across the park, based on data from 1978 to 1995. Results indicated that the Slate Islands caribou selected deciduous cover, larger forest patches, areas further to water, flatter areas, lower elevations and areas closer to anthropogenic features. Population size had a limited effect on caribou distributions. / October 2015

The Owl-Flintstone range in southeastern Manitoba is among the most at risk in the province. Through a series of transects and plots established throughout the study area, this study characterized calving habitat at a fine scale, examined the use of caribou calving areas by large mammals and examined if a calving habitat model correctly identified high quality calving habitat. Parturient females utilized black spruce dominated islands and peninsulas on lakes as well as islands and peninsulas in bogs. Bear utilized both predicted low and high quality sites. Black spruce and lichen cover were significantly greater within known calving sites compared to predicted low quality habitat. Forbs, herbs and downed woody debris values were significantly lower within known calving sites compared to predicted high quality sites. The calving habitat model correctly identified both high quality and low quality calving habitat in the Owl-Flintstone range, however parameters could be refined.