Abstract
I examined the relationships among snow cover (api), lichen abundance, and canopy composition on the range of the Aikens Lake population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in southeastern Manitoba. Percent cover of forage lichens (Cladina spp.) was positively correlated with maximum total thickness and with maximum vertical hardness of api. Mixed communities of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), spruce (Picea spp.), and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) showed the most favourable nival conditions for caribou but had low lichen abundance; those dominated by jack pine (Pinus banksiana) were the converse. The results suggest an energetic compromise for woodland caribou when foraging for terrestrial lichens. During winter, caribou exhibited significant selection for jack pine communities whereas mixed communities were avoided.
Highlights
A p i and lichens are perhaps the most salient habitat features that influence the behaviourofcaribou (Rangifer tarandus) inwinter
I examine the relationships between api characteristics, lichen abundance, and canopy compo sition o n the taiga range o f the Aikens Lake populationofwoodlandcaribou (R. t. caribou) i n Manitoba
T h e study area, part o f the Northern Coniferous Section o f the Boreal Forest Region ( R o w e, 1972), was d o m i nated by Precambrian outcrops with numerous intervening bogs and small lakes
Summary
A p i (snow o n the ground) and lichens are perhaps the most salient habitat features that influence the behaviourofcaribou (Rangifer tarandus) inwinter. Recent studies have begun to explore these energetic costs (Boertje, 1985; Fancy & White , 1985, 1987) and nutritional benefits ( Person et ai, 1 9 8 0 ; Thomas et ah, 1984) b u t , as y e t , weknowlittleoftheassocia tion between these 2 important range features. Such knowledge seems fundamental for managing habitat and modelling caribou foraging behaviour. I examine the relationships between api characteristics, lichen abundance, and canopy compo sition o n the taiga range o f the Aikens Lake populationofwoodlandcaribou (R. t. caribou) i n Manitoba
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