Abstract
We examined the foraging habits of the northern woodland caribou ecotype {Rangifer tarandus caribou) at the scale of the individual feeding site. Field data were collected in north-central British Columbia over two winters (Dec 1996-Apr 1998). We trailed caribou and measured vegetation characteristics (species composition and percent cover), snow conditions (depth, density, and hardness), and canopy closure at terrestrial and arboreal feeding sites, and at random sites where feeding had not occurred. Logistic regression was used to determine the attributes of feeding sites that were important to predicting fine scale habitat selection in forested and alpine areas. In the forest, caribou selected feeding sites that had a greater percent cover of Cladina mitis and Cladonia spp, lower snow depths, and a lower percentage of debris and moss. Biomass of Bryoria spp. at the 1-2 m stratum above the snow significantly contributed to predicting what trees caribou chose as arboreal feeding sites. In the alpine, caribou selected feeding sites with a greater percent cover of Cladina mitis, Cladina rangiferina, Cetraria cucullata, Cetraria nivalis, Thamnolia spp., and Stereocaulon alpinum as well as lower snow depths.
Highlights
The habitat requirements of the northern woodland caribou ecotype of BritishColumbia are largely unknown (Harrison & Surgenor, 1996)
Amaximum of 12 sites were randomly selected on the transect for measurement: 3 sites where there had not been terrestrial feeding, 3 trees where there were no signs of arboreal feeding, and, if present, 3 crateting sites and 3 arboreal feeding sites (Fig. 2)
Past studies have found that most continental popul ationsofcaribouand reindeer (R. t. tarandus) forage primarily on fruticose lichens throughout the w i n ter (Pegau, 1968; Helle & Saastamoinen, 1979; White & Trudell, 1980; Klein, 1982; Boertje, 1984; Skogland, 1984; Cichowski, 1993; Terry, 1994), and that snow conditions may restrict access to this food source (Laperriere & Lent, 1977; Skogland, 1978; Duquette, 1988; Brown & Theberge, 1990)
Summary
The habitat requirements of the northern woodland caribou ecotype of BritishColumbia are largely unknown (Harrison & Surgenor, 1996) This ecotype has been the subject of few studies, but is known to inhabit areas of l o w to moderate snow depthsinlowelevation forests, a n d to forage p r i marily on terrestrial lichens during winter (Hatler, 1986; Cichowski, 1993; Lance & Mills, 1996; W o o d , 1996). Further understanding of the life history strategies of the northern woodland caribou ecotype is importantinviewofincreasingdemands for timber in the province Wintering populations of this ecot y p e use lowelevation forests t h a t are valued for commercial wood products (Cichowski, 1993; W o o d , 1996). They are likely to be negatively affected by habitat alteration, fragmentation, and increased road access
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