The population dynamics of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) on the Island of Newfoundland were studied 1957 to 1967. Four herds were recognized and censused: the Northern Peninsula — 450 animals in 1958 and 400 in 1966, the Avalon Peninsula — 125 in 1957 and 720 in 1967, the Humber River — 130 in 1956 and 115 in 1964, and the Interior -- 4600 in 1957 and 6200 animals in 1966. The Island population 1900-1910 was estimated at 40,000 animals. After 1915 these herds rapidly declined and reached a low of perhaps only 2000 animals by 1930. The annual rate of increase (r) of all the herds was low. The Humber and Northern Peninsula herds showed no increase while the Interior Herd grew at only 0.044. The Avalon Peninsula Herd showed the greatest rate-of-increase 1961 to 1967, r= 0.120. The potential r of Newfoundland caribou is probably greater than 0.30. A herd of caribou introduced to Brunette Island increased at r=0.352, from 17 to 100 animals in 5 years. In the Interior Herd, birth rates were high and constant and averaged 0.85 calf per doe 2-years-of-age and older and 0.94 calf per doe 3 years and older. Natural mortality rates were low beyond 6-months-of-age. They were 4 per cent for does, yearlings, and calves and 9 per cent for stags 2-years-of-age and older. The kill of stags by hunters was 11 per cent and reduced the proportion of stags in the population. The survival of calves to 6-months-of-age was strongly correlated with growth of populations and appeared the main influence on numbers (correlation coefficient r=0.922, P<0.01). The mortality of calves in the first summer was high; an average of 69 per cent died in the Interior Herd and in the Avalon Peninsula Herd 30 per cent of the calves died. The major cause of mortality of calves was apparently predation by lynx (Lynx canadensis). As early as 2 weeks after calving, 27 per cent of the calves were missing. They were apparently dragged into forest cover by lynx. Of 114 dead or morbid calves located 74 per cent were bitten by lynx, escaped and had developed cervical abscesses from infections of Pasteurella multocida. The two major factors limiting populations of caribou in Newfoundland 1900 to 1967 appeared to be lynx predation of calves and shooting mortality of adults. Poor recruitment and high loss to hunting probably caused the decline of the herds 1915 to 1930. The primary factor limiting numbers in the Interior and Avalon Herds, 1957 to 1967 was lynx predation of calves in their first summer. Illegal hunting was probably important in the Northern Peninsula and Humber River herds 1957 to 1967. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

La densification de la strate arbustive dans les régions arctiques et subarctiques a été largement observée au cours des dernières décennies, soulevant par le fait même des questionnements quant à l’implication de ce phénomène sur les ressources alimentaires des grands herbivores qui fréquentent ces régions. L’augmentation du couvert de neige et l’atténuation de lumière créées par un couvert arbustif plus dense sont susceptibles de mener à des modifications de la quantité et de la qualité nutritionnelle des ressources alimentaires consommées par le caribou migrateur (Rangifer tarandus). Notre objectif était de déterminer les effets de l’augmentation du couvert de neige et l’atténuation de la lumière au cours d’une saison de croissance sur la qualité et la quantité de deux composantes majeures du régime alimentaire du caribou migrateur, soit le bouleau glanduleux (Betula glandulosa) et les carex (Carex spp.). À l’aide d’une expérience contrôlée, nous avons démontré que l’ombrage améliorent la qualité nutritive des bouleaux et des carex pendant la saison de croissance via l’augmentation de la concentration d’azote et la diminution de la concentration de phénols totaux dans les feuilles. La combinaison d’un couvert de neige plus épais et de la pleine lumière ont augmenté la quantité de biomasse foliaire produite par B. glandulosa, ce qui augmente la quantité de nourriture disponible pour les caribous. En somme, nos résultats montrent que les traitements de l’expérience un impact positif sur certaines ressources alimentaires du caribou migrateur. Puisque la densification des arbustes risque d’avoir des impacts nutritifs sur d’autres groupes d’espèces végétales, nous proposons de poursuivre les recherches sur d’autres composantes du régime alimentaire du caribou migrateur, tels que les lichens et les herbacées. / Shrub expansion in arctic and subarctic regions has been widely observed over the last decades, raising questions about implications on the food resources of large herbivores. Increased snow cover and attenuation of light created by a denser shrub canopy can lead to changes in quantity and nutritional quality of resources for caribou (Rangifer tarandus), an arctic herbivore. Our main objective was to determine the effects of a deeper snow cover and light attenuation throughout a growing season on the quantity and quality of two major components of migratory caribou’s diet: dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa) and sedges (Carex spp.). Using a controlled experiment, we demonstrated that shading improved the nutritional quality of birch and sedges throughout the growing season by increasing nitrogen concentration and decreasing total phenol concentration in leaves. The combination of deeper snow cover and full light increased the biomass of leaves produced by B. glandulosa, which increased the quantity of food available for caribou. Our results support that our experimental treatments had a positive impact on some food resources for migratory caribou. Since shrub densification may have nutritional impacts on other groups of plant species, we propose to continue research on other food components of migratory caribou, such as lichens and forbs.

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

Le caribou migrateur (Rangifer tarandus caribou) est une espèce clé sur le plan socio-économique et culturel pour les communautés nordiques du Québec, et ses populations connaissent un fort déclin. En raison des larges échelles auxquelles les données d'habitat sont habituellement disponibles, il y a un manque d'information sur la façon dont les caribous migrateurs femelles sélectionnent l'habitat et les ressources à une échelle spatiale plus fine (i.e. les sites d'alimentation et les ressources alimentaires). Pour documenter la sélection d'habitat à fine échelle, nous avons équipé 60 caribous femelles de colliers-caméra de 2016 à 2018. Nous avons récolté un total de 65 150 vidéos de 10 secondes entre le 1ᵉʳ juin et le 1ᵉʳ septembre de chaque année. Nous avons ensuite comparé les sites utilisés pour l'alimentation (définis comme utilisés) et les sites utilisés pour toute autre activité (définis comme non utilisés) à l'échelle de l'habitat et des ressources alimentaires en utilisant des fonctions de sélection des ressources. Pour les trois années à l'étude, les zones humides ont été fortement sélectionnées comme sites d'alimentation en juin et juillet, alors qu'elles ont été évitées en août. Les zones arbustives ont été principalement choisies en juillet et août. À l'échelle des ressources alimentaires, le lichen, le bouleau, le saule et les champignons ont été les ressources préférées, leur sélection variant tout au long de l'été. En effet, alors que le lichen était sélectionné lorsque les autres ressources n'étaient pas disponibles en juin ou de qualité insuffisante à la fin du mois d'août, les bouleaux et les saules étaient davantage sélectionnés le reste de l'été. Nos résultats fournissent des informations précises et nouvelles sur les sites d'alimentation et les ressources alimentaires sélectionnées par les femelles caribous en été. Ces informations aideront à comprendre les modèles d'alimentation et le comportement de sélection d'habitat des caribous migrateurs femelles, en plus de contribuer à la gestion et à la conservation du troupeau. / Migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is a socioeconomically and culturally key species for northern communities in Quebec, and its populations are experiencing a sharp decline. Because of the broad scales at which habitat data are usually collected, information on how female migratory caribou select habitat and resources at a fine spatial scale (i.e. feeding sites and food resources) is lacking. To document selection of summer feeding sites, we equipped 60 female caribou with camera collars from 2016 to 2018. We collected a total of 65,150 10-second videos between June 1ˢᵗ and September 1ˢᵗ of each year. We compared sites used for feeding (defined as used) and sites used for any other activity (defined as unused) at the habitat and resource scales using resource selection functions. In all years, wetlands were highly selected as feeding sites in June and July while they were avoided in August. Shrublands were mostly selected in July and August. At the resources scale, lichen, birch, willow and mushrooms were the preferred resources, with their selection varying throughout the summer. Indeed, while lichens were selected when other resources were unavailable in June or lacking in quality at the end of August, birch and willows were selected the rest of the summer. Our results provide precise and novel information on the feeding sites and resources selected by female caribou. This information will help understand foraging patterns and habitat selection behavior of female migratory caribou and will contribute to the management and conservation of the herd.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2000. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Dec. 12, 2000). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-83).

Three levels of resource selection (seasonal movements and habitat use, winter feeding site selection, and forage selection), by two populations of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in west-central British Columbia were examined to evaluate potential effects of logging on those populations. Seasonal movements and habitat use were determined by monitoring radiocollared adult female caribou; winter feeding site and forage selection were determined by following caribou tracks on winter ranges. Caribou moved from winter to summer ranges along relatively snow-free, low elevation migration routes. Itcha-IIgachuz-Rainbow caribou calved and spent the summer almost exclusively in alpine habitat in the Itcha, Ilgachuz and Rainbow Mountains; Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou used a variety of alpine and forested habitats in and adjacent to northern Tweedsmuir Park during summer. During winter, caribou in both areas used predominantly low elevation forested habitats. In the Tweedsmuir-Entiako area, some use of alpine habitat occurred during mid-winter in the Fawnie Mountains. In the Itcha-Ilgachuz area, 5-15% of the radiocollared caribou spent the winter in alpine and subalpine habitat on the north side of the Ilgachuz Mountains. Rainbow Mountain caribou used alpine habitat in the northern Rainbow and Ilgachuz Mountains during the winter. On low elevation winter ranges in both areas, caribou selected Dry Lichen / Lichen Moss and Lichen Moss caribou habitat types. Mature pine forest cover types on low and poor quality growing sites were also selected by caribou during winter. Itcha-Ilgachuz caribou selected large Fescue-Lichen meadows in early winter and Dry Lichen / Kinnikinnick sites in the very dry, cold Sub-Boreal Pine/Spruce (SBPSxc) biogeoclimatic subzone in late winter. In late winter, the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou selected mature Moss/Seepage Forest - Aspen Forest caribou habitat types. Forest cover types selected were mature pine and pine/spruce forest cover types on medium quality sites. Throughout the winter, pine forests in both areas were used predominantly for cratering for terrestrial lichens. Caribou selected areas with high terrestrial lichen abundance for cratering. Snow characteristics (snow depth, snow penetrability) did not appear to influence crater site selection. Snow was often deeper at cratering sites than at non-cratering sites because sites that were selected for abundant terrestrial lichen also had more open canopies which intercepted less snow. Arboreal lichens were used in all forest types; however, arboreal lichen use was greater in pine/spruce and spruce stands than in pine stands. Implications of logging to woodland caribou populations and winter range use are discussed and recommendations for logging guidelines compatible with woodland caribou are suggested. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate

Ce projet visait à déterminer comment les réponses fonctionnelles dans la sélection de l’habitat influencent la survie des caribous forestiers adultes (Rangifer tarandus). Une réponse fonctionnelle apparaît lorsque la sélection pour un milieu varie en fonction de sa disponibilité ou celle d’un autre milieu. La sélection de l’habitat a été modélisée pour 83 caribous, dont 20 qui sont morts durant le suivi. Une forte probabilité de présence à proximité des coupes était associée à un fort risque de mortalité, particulièrement si cette probabilité augmentait fortement avec l’abondance des coupes. Aussi, tous les caribous, qu’ils soient morts ou qu’ils aient survécus, évitaient les peuplements mixtes, et cet évitement était particulièrement fort pour les individus dont le domaine vital incluait une forte proportion de coupes. Ainsi, les réponses fonctionnelles ne mettent pas nécessairement en évidence des comportements adaptatifs et peuvent refléter des décisions compromettant la survie. / The goal of this study was to determine the link between functional responses in habitat selection and adult survival in forest-dwelling woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus). A functional response occurs when the selection for a cover type varies as a function of its availability or the availability of another cover type. Habitat selection was modeled for 83 caribou, of which 20 died during the monitoring period. A strong probability of occurrence in proximity to cutovers was associated with a high mortality risk, especially if the probability increased with the abundance of cuts. In addition, caribou avoided mixed stands, and this avoidance was especially strong for individuals with a high proportion of cuts in their home range. This behaviour was similar for caribou that died and those that survived the monitoring period. Thus, functional responses are not necessarily adaptive behaviours and may reflect decisions compromising survival.

Spatial patterns in parasite communities of freshwater fish are often characterized as low in diversity and unpredictable. Whether or not his view is a true reflection of community patterns is unclear, in particular when comparing studies of parasite communities of fish occuring in man-altered ecosystems. To understand the structure of a fish parasite community, I first described the parasite fauna of 13 species of freshwater fish from 19 isolated lakes on the Caribou Mountains plateau in northern Alberta. After my initial broad-scale survey, I selected the diverse and complex community of parasites in whitefish, (Coregonus clupeaformis) for further analysis. This host had the most diverse parasite community of any species of fish on the plateau and was disproportionally important in the dissemination of parasites to the other species of fish. Ten parasite species infected whitefish in the 7 large lakes on the plateau; 7 were core species (i.e found in every lake) and 9 were salmonid specialists. Parasite intensities were much higher (>100 per host) in the Caribou Mountains than elsewhere in Canada, as was community similarity (>70%). Ordination analyses showed that 48% of the variation in parasite intensities between lakes could be explained by factors associated with aquatic productivity (e.g. chlorophyll-a and total phosphorus). Low-intensity lakes were characterized by low productivity and high colour and high-intensity lakes were characterized by low productivity and high colour and high-intensity lakes had high prductivity and low colour. Patterns of high similarity between lakes, together with the association between aquatic productivity and community structure shows that the spatial structure of parasite communities can be predicted on the basis of a common suite of specialist, core species. / vii, 147 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.

Woodland caribou are listed as a threatened species in Saskatchewan. The need for contemporary data is paramount for conservation of this species. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of threats to woodland caribou: forestry and logging, road development and expansion, mineral exploration and other long term changes to the landscape. Despite previous research effort, the current distribution and critical habitat of woodland caribou in north-central Saskatchewan is still poorly understood. Drawing upon the knowledge of a selected target group, interviews have been conducted to attain local and traditional knowledge on woodland caribou. Local knowledge has been used to identify key information about woodland caribou critical habitat and ecology in the north central region and more remote areas. Through the objectives of this research we have been able to identify current and historical abundance patterns; adult and calf biology; predator prey interactions; human activity on the landscape and potential effect on woodland caribou ecology; and weather/fire patterns and the potential effect on woodland caribou distribution. The significance of this type of research is critical in understanding woodland caribou biology in northern and remote areas. In addition, this project recognizes contributions and involvement of Aboriginal peoples in academic and government research initiatives.

Woodland caribou are listed as a threatened species in Saskatchewan. The need for contemporary data is paramount for conservation of this species. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of threats to woodland caribou: forestry and logging, road development and expansion, mineral exploration and other long term changes to the landscape. Despite previous research effort, the current distribution and critical habitat of woodland caribou in north-central Saskatchewan is still poorly understood. Drawing upon the knowledge of a selected target group, interviews have been conducted to attain local and traditional knowledge on woodland caribou. Local knowledge has been used to identify key information about woodland caribou critical habitat and ecology in the north central region and more remote areas. Through the objectives of this research we have been able to identify current and historical abundance patterns; adult and calf biology; predator prey interactions; human activity on the landscape and potential effect on woodland caribou ecology; and weather/fire patterns and the potential effect on woodland caribou distribution. The significance of this type of research is critical in understanding woodland caribou biology in northern and remote areas. In addition, this project recognizes contributions and involvement of Aboriginal peoples in academic and government research initiatives.