Abstract
We examined sites used by 73 caribou located by radio-tracking during spring migration through a forested travel corridor. The physical and botanical characteristics of these sites were described to find what features (if any) distinguished them from the forest at large. Raised and open aspect, sparse tree cover, free-draining soils, and a simple flora with abundant lichens were features common to all the sites, but were lacking in the denser forest around. Scores for these attributes were ordinated by multidimensional scaling of similarities and differences from site to site. Separate searings for (i) terrain features, (ii) tree cover attributes, and (iii) floristic content each yielded a single cluster of points with few outliers and no particular pattern or trend. The inference is that the sites conformed to a single type with limited variation. A profile of the distinguishing characteristics was compiled and then applied to transects through the general migration area by persons unfamiliar with it beforehand. Sites which matched the profile proved easy to identify, even though they comprised only a small proportion of the area. Sites with high scores for the most distinctive attributes had more caribou at the time of radio-tracking.
Highlights
The Tweedsmuir-Entiako woodland caribou herd contains about 500 animals (Cichowski & Banner, 1993)
Thiswas apparent as s o o n as t h e site was located o n the ground. Their similarity to each other was obvious as w e l l
Mostof the sites w e r e small andnarrow, but some extended for more than 1 k m atop eskers and glaciofluvial terraces next to sedge meadows and willow swamps
Summary
The Tweedsmuir-Entiako woodland caribou herd contains about 500 animals (Cichowski & Banner, 1993). Until recently, these were some o f the least studied caribou i n British Columbia. T h e animals summer in northern Tweedsmuir Park, and winter i n the Entiako drainage south-east o f Tetachuck Lake (Fig. 1). T h e Chelaslie River drainage serves as aconnectingtravelroute , andincer tain years part o f the herd may winter within that route, rather than continuing on to the Entiako (Steventon, 1994). As logging and other land uses begin to encroach o n the range o f this herd, the need to k n o w more about habitat usage was becoming urgent
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