Winter habitat selection by female moose in western interior montane forests

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (12) ◽  
pp. 1823-1832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G. Poole ◽  
Kari Stuart-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Causative Factor ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Crown Closure

Winter range has been identified as an important component of moose ( Alces alces (L., 1758)) conservation in managed forests, yet there have been few studies on habitat associations in montane ecosystems. We investigated habitat selection by moose at landscape and stand scales during late winter in southeastern British Columbia using global positioning system (GPS) collars on 24 adult moose cows in each of two winters. The strongest determinant of late-winter range at the landscape scale was decreasing elevation, while moose also selected for areas of gentler slopes and higher solar insolation. Elevation likely is a surrogate for snow depth, which is probably the primary causative factor influencing late-winter distribution of moose. Within late-winter range, topographic variables had little influence on moose habitat selection. Lower crown closure was the strongest determinant of stand-scale selection, although the resultant model was weak. We found no disproportionate selection for stands with high crown closure, and there was little evidence for greater use of cover stands with increasing snow as winter progressed. Within late-winter range, moose selected forage habitats (42% use vs. 30% availability) over cover habitats (22% use vs. 37% availability). The delineation of late-winter moose range can be based on snow depth, or elevation as its surrogate.

Winter habitat use by mule deer in the central interior of British Columbia

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 1721-1725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold M. Armleder ◽  
Michaela J. Waterhouse ◽  
Dagmar G. Keisker ◽  
Richard J. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Crown Closure

We analyzed winter habitat use by 23 radio-collared mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada, from February 1982 to March 1989. This research was essential to provide sound biological data for development of a selection silvicultural and planning system that would integrate timber harvesting with the habitat needs of mule deer. Habitat selection was analyzed by comparing deer use with habitat availability of various levels (categories) of the following variables: age, crown closure, species composition, slope, and aspect. Additionally, we compared the use of each category among snow classes. Regardless of snow depth class, use of old stands (> 140 years) by deer was greater than the availability of that age category. Also, the use of old stands was greater in moderate (26–40 cm) and deep (>40 cm) snow depth classes than in the low snow depth class. Areas of winter range dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were more often used than areas where other tree species were most common. In the deep snow class, use of both moderate and high crown closures categories exceeded their availability.

scholarly journals Late-winter habitat use by the Fisher, Pekania pennanti (Erxleben, 1777), in the Boreal Plains Ecozone of northwestern Saskatchewan, Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Larix Laricina ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Boreal Plains ◽  
Pekania Pennanti ◽  
Crown Closure

Late-winter habitat use by the Fisher, Pekania pennanti (Erxleben, 1777) in northwestern Saskatchewan was assessed in February 2009, 2011, and 2012. A total of 78 Fisher tracks were recorded over 60 300 m of snowshoe surveys. Fisher tracks were significantly less frequent than expected in Tamarack (Larix laricina [Du Roi] K. Koch) stands with > 40% crown closure and mainly 0–10 m trees (P < 0.05) and in open areas. Fishers used other habitat types equal to availability, including muskeg and coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forest stands. Maintaining mosaics of forest stands of different seral stages interspersed with muskeg would meet the late-winter habitat needs of Fishers in the Boreal Plains Ecozone of northwestern Saskatchewan.

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.

Moose selection of canopy cover types related to operative temperature, forage, and snow depth

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 3071-3077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis E. Schwab ◽  
Michael D. Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Thermal Limit ◽  
Operative Temperature ◽  
Metabolic Heat ◽  
High Forage ◽  
Selection Of

Simple linear and muliple regressions were used to determine the contribution of operative temperature (Te), forage, and snow depth to moose (Alces alces) selection of canopy cover types. The number of degree-hours for which Te exceeded the thermal limit at which panting is required to dissipate metabolic heat contributed significantly to selection during summer (1 June – 15 September) and late winter (16 January – 15 April). Forage explained canopy cover selection in early winter (16 November – 15 January) and contributed significantly to the best equation describing habitat selection during late winter. Snow depth contributed to habitat selection in early winter but was not related to habitat selection during late winter. During summer, moose generally selected against sites where Te exceeded 30 °C, the thermal limit requiring panting to dissipate metabolic heat. During late winter, moose also generally avoided canopy covers where Te commonly exceeded 8 °C, the temperature at which panting is required to dissipate heat. During early winter, moose apparently suffered minimal heat stress, as Te remained below 0 °C; consequently, moose selected canopy cover types that provided comparatively high forage availability.

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

Rangifer ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Tucker ◽  
Shane Mahoney ◽  
Bill Greene ◽  
Eric Menchenton ◽  
Lloyd Russell
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Southwest Coast ◽  
Winter Conditions ◽  
Winter Temperatures ◽  
Coastal Margin

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.

Browse occurrence, biomass, and use by white-tailed deer in a northern New Brunswick deer yard

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1518-1524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn F Morrison ◽  
Graham J Forbes ◽  
Steven J Young
Keyword(s):  
Snow Depth ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Northeastern North America ◽  
Winter Conditions ◽  
Browse Species ◽  
Mixedwood Stands

Winter browse abundance influences population growth of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern North America, where they regularly experience harsh winter conditions. We surveyed browse biomass and abundance among vegetation types and determined the extent of browse species selection and avoidance in a northeastern deer yard. Deer browsed 19 species but only red and striped maples (Acer rubrum L. and Acer pensylvanicum L.) were consistently selected. Regenerating, mature mixedwood, and mature spruce–fir stands were most likely to have high amounts of browse cover. Mature mixedwood stands had greater total browse biomass than submature hardwood and mature cedar stands. It is possible that our observed selection and avoidance of browse species reflects changes in availability as snow depth increased in middle to late winter. Thus, browse availability and use should be interpreted with respect to known patterns of deer habitat use during varying degrees of winter severity. We recommend that mixedwood stands be recognized as important part of winter habitat for deer. We underscore their importance for wintering deer, because they allow them to access shelter and browse simultaneously.

scholarly journals The Winter Habitat Selection of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Based on a Multi-Scale Model

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2454
Author(s):  
Yue Sun ◽  
Yanze Yu ◽  
Jinhao Guo ◽  
Minghai Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Optimal Scale ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Selection Of

Single-scale frameworks are often used to analyze the habitat selections of species. Research on habitat selection can be significantly improved using multi-scale models that enable greater in-depth analyses of the scale dependence between species and specific environmental factors. In this study, the winter habitat selection of red deer in the Gogostaihanwula Nature Reserve, Inner Mongolia, was studied using a multi-scale model. Each selected covariate was included in multi-scale models at their “characteristic scale”, and we used an all subsets approach and model selection framework to assess habitat selection. The results showed that: (1) Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the response scale of red deer to environmental factors was different among different covariate. The optimal scale of the single covariate was 800–3200 m, slope (SLP), altitude (ELE), and ratio of deciduous broad-leaved forests were 800 m in large scale, except that the farmland ratio was 200 m in fine scale. The optimal scale of road density and grassland ratio is both 1600 m, and the optimal scale of net forest production capacity is 3200 m; (2) distance to forest edges, distance to cement roads, distance to villages, altitude, distance to all road, and slope of the region were the most important factors affecting winter habitat selection. The outcomes of this study indicate that future studies on the effectiveness of habitat selections will benefit from multi-scale models. In addition to increasing interpretive and predictive capabilities, multi-scale habitat selection models enhance our understanding of how species respond to their environments and contribute to the formulation of effective conservation and management strategies for ungulata.

Influence of Well Pad Activity on Winter Habitat Selection Patterns of Mule Deer

2009 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 1052-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hall Sawyer ◽  
Matthew J. Kauffman ◽  
Ryan M. Nielson
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Winter Habitat

scholarly journals Fall and Winter Movements of Newfoundland Graycheeked Thrushes (Catharus Minimus Minimus)

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darroch M. Whitaker ◽  
Ian G. Warkentin ◽  
Keith A. Hobson ◽  
Peter Thomas ◽  
Rinchen Boardman
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Central America ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Contemporary Research ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Northern South America ◽  
Migratory Stopover

Abstract The Newfoundland subspecies of Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus minimus) has declined since the 1980s and degradation of winter habitat has been suggested as a contributing stressor. However, the winter range of this subspecies is not well understood, so we fitted 29 males with archival GPS tags during summer 2016. Four tagged thrushes were recaptured in summer 2017 and, though all tags had missing locations and broken antennae, the data retrieved showed that one thrush wintered in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) in northern Colombia, one in the nearby Sierra de Perija in Venezuela, and a third may have settled in the same region. One tag provided locations until April 21 and that thrush was consistently detected within a ~1 ha area through the winter. Locations obtained during fall migration indicated that thrushes travelled to South America via Central America and possibly by directly crossing the Caribbean. Contemporary research indicates that the SNSM is an important migratory stopover for Northern Gray-cheeked Thrushes (C. m. aliciae) but a historical report coupled with our observations suggest winter use of the SNSM and adjacent areas in northern South America by C. m. minimus, though numbers may be lower than during the 1900s.

scholarly journals Managing Woodland Caribou in West-Central British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah B. Cichowski
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Range Management ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Specific Level ◽  
Winter Range

Initial long term planning for logging on the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou winter range began in the early 1980s. Because little information was available on which to base winter range management, the British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch began studies on radio-collared caribou in 1983, and an intensive study on caribou winter habitat requirements was conducted from 1985 to 1988. Terrestrial lichens were identified as the primary winter food source for the caribou, and in 1987, caribou winter range ecosystem maps, which emphasized abundance of terrestrial lichens, were produced. The ecosystem maps and information from the caribou study, including potential direct and indirect effects of timber harvesting on the caribou population, were used to develop a management strategy for the winter range. The management strategy comprised two levels of management: a landscape level (Caribou Management Zones); and a site-specific level (caribou habitat/timber values). Timber information associated with BC Ministry of Forests forest cover maps was integrated using a Geographic Information System. Six winter range management options were proposed ranging from harvesting low value caribou habitats only throughout the winter range to total protection of the entire winter range. Impacts of those options on both the caribou population and on the timber supply were evaluated. The options were reviewed through a public planning process, the Entiako Local Resource Use Plan, and recommendations from that process were forwarded to the British Columbia Protected Areas Strategy.

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