Scale-Dependent Habitat Selection by Mountain Caribou, Columbia Mountains, British Columbia

2001 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clayton D. Apps ◽  
Bruce N. McLellan ◽  
Trevor A. Kinley ◽  
John P. Flaa
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Columbia Mountains

scholarly journals Early Winter Habitat Use by Mountain Caribou in the North Cariboo and Columbia Mountains, British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Terry ◽  
B. McLellan ◽  
G. Watts ◽  
J. Flaa
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
The North ◽  
Columbia Mountains ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Spruce Stands

Winter habitat use was compared between two mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations in British Columbia. Regional differences were apparent during November and December. Radio-collared caribou inhabiting the gentle plateaus of the northern Cariboo Mountains, near Prince George, B.C. primarily used mid-elevation balsam-spruce stands on moderate slopes (<30%). In contrast, radio-collared caribou in the North Columbia Mountains, near Revelstoke, B.C. used low elevation hemlock-cedar stands and relatively steeper slopes (>30%). To adequately address habitat requirements of caribou, forest management plans should incorporate varying regional and seasonal habitat use patterns. Hypotheses on observed differences in habitat use are discussed.

scholarly journals Development of a preliminary habitat assessment and planning tool for mountain caribou in southeast British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Clayton D. Apps ◽  
Trevor A. Kinley
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Testable Hypothesis ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Habitat Assessment ◽  
Planning Tool ◽  
Forest Practices

The Purcell Mountains of southeast British Columbia support a population of mountain caribou near the southernmost extension of their range. This ecotype is dependent upon late-successional forests, largely because such stands provide arboreal lichen for winter forage. Recent provincial forest practices legislation and land-use planning initiatives have provided the impetus for developing an interim caribou habitat assessment model for use as a planning tool. We applied an HSI (habitat suitability index) model developed for a nearby population as a testable hypothesis of caribou habitat selection in the southern Purcells. In a study area of about 6000 km2, 512 radiolocations were obtained for 22 animals from 1993 through 1995. Seasonal selectivity was assessed for the following model variables: elevation, slope, habitat type/current cover type, overstory size class, canopy closure, and age of dominant overstory. Caribou were most selective for stand age, which the model also defined as the greatest determinant of habitat suitability. However, we did not judge overall model output to be an adequate predictor of habitat selection by southern Purcell caribou. Seasonal ratings for each variable were therefore modified to better reflect selection patterns by animals in this study, and subjectively adjusted to ensure that potentially limiting habitat types were rated highly. An evaluation of the adjusted model established its efficacy as an interim decision-support tool. Selection analyses of spatial habitat distribution levels indicated a preference by caribou for landscapes with at least 40% suitable habitat per 250 ha and per 5000 ha. From this, it is apparent that suitable habitat is highly fragmented in this study area.

Estimating extreme avalanche runout for the Columbia Mountains and Fernie area Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 1309-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine S. Johnston ◽  
Bruce Jamieson ◽  
Alan Jones
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Statistical Models ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Coast Mountains ◽  
Runout Distance ◽  
Columbia Mountains

Extreme snow avalanche runout is typically estimated using a combination of historical and vegetation records as well as statistical and dynamic models. The two classes of statistical models (α–β and runout ratio) are based on estimating runout distance past the β-point, which is typically defined as the point where the avalanche slope incline first decreases to 10°. The parameters for these models vary from mountain range to mountain range. In Canada, α–β and runout ratio parameters have been published for the combined Rocky and Purcell Mountains and for the British Columbia Coast Mountains. Despite active development, no suitable tall avalanche path model parameters have been published for the Columbia Mountains or for the Lizard Range area around Fernie, B.C. Using a dataset of 65 avalanche paths, statistical model parameters have been derived for these regions.

The Heather Hill landslide: an example of a large scale toppling failure in a natural slope

1991 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Pritchard ◽  
K. W. Savigny
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Distinct Element ◽  
Failure Surface ◽  
Distinct Element Method ◽  
Slope Engineering ◽  
Columbia Mountains ◽  
Toppling Failure ◽  
Element Method

This paper is an inquiry into the suspected relationship between toppling and large deep-seated landslides along the Beaver Valley, Glacier National Park, British Columbia. The study area includes the Heather Hill landslide, one of several in the valley, and adjacent slopes that show varying degrees of toppling disturbance. The development of the Heather Hill landslide is simulated using the distinct element method of numerical analysis. The rock mass is modelled using deformable columns whose boundaries represent a coarse approximation of in situ discontinuity patterns. An intercalated change in the predominant lithologies and a concomitant change in discontinuity spacings are modelled by varying column thickness and material properties. The analysis confirms that a deep-seated failure surface can develop as a result of the toppling process. The intercalated change in lithologies and the related change in discontinuity spacings account for the curvilinear failure surface and the headscarp position of the Heather Hill landslide. These variables are believed to also control the overall distribution of landslides in the Beaver Valley. The paper demonstrates that the distinct element method provides an effective basis for quantitative analysis of large scale toppling. Many more applications will be needed to refine the geometric and material property generalizations used in this study. Nevertheless, the method appears to offer considerable promise for elucidating problems of rock slope behaviour in both slope engineering and geomorphology. Key words: toppling, landslide, British Columbia, mountains, numerical modelling, distinct element method.

scholarly journals Head Injuries in Skiers and Snowboarders in British Columbia

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Hentschel ◽  
Walter Hader ◽  
Michael Boyd
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Head Injury ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Inpatient Rehabilitation ◽  
Vancouver General Hospital ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
Columbia Mountains ◽  
Brain Injured ◽  
Ski Areas

ABSTRACT:Background:At the Vancouver General Hospital Neurosurgical Service there have been a significant number of seriously brain injured snowboarders, seemingly out of proportion to the number of skiers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether snowboarders suffered more serious head injuries than skiers in the Vancouver catchment area.Methods:The British Columbia Trauma Registry was searched for patients incurring head injuries while skiing or snowboarding on British Columbia mountains during the period from January 1992 to December 1997. Patients were included if they were admitted to hospital and underwent neurosurgical consultation.Results:A total of 40 skiers and 14 snowboarders met the above criteria. Of the skiers, 15% sustained a severe head injury by Glasgow Coma Score, another 30% sustaining moderate head injuries, while 29% of snowboarders had a severe injury and 36% a moderate injury. A concussion was present in 60% of the skiers and 21% of the snowboarders. Snowboarders suffered an intracranial hemorrhage in 71% of the cases compared to 28% of the skiers. A craniotomy was performed acutely in 10% of skiers and in 29% of snowboarders. Three deaths occurred as a direct result of head injury, one while snowboarding. All but one of the surviving skiers were able to return home, whereas four of 13 surviving snowboarders required additional inpatient rehabilitation or transfer to another acute hospital for ongoing care.Conclusions:Snowboarders suffer more significant head injuries compared to skiers in this series and are much more likely than skiers to require an intracranial procedure. In our opinion, this indicates that additional safety measures, in particular the use of mandatory helmets, should be considered by ski areas and their patrons.

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