Managing second-growth forests as caribou habitat

Susan K Stevenson

doi:10.7557/2.10.3.844

Abstract

Habitat management for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in southeastern British Columbia has generally focussed on protecting old-growth forests from logging. As that strategy becomes more difficult to maintain, biologists are beginning to explore opportunities to manage second-growth stands to provide arboreal lichens and other habitat resources important to caribou. Special harvesting and stand management practices are being developed and formulated into strategies for maintaining caribou populations in managed stands.

Highlights

The woodland caribou of southeastern British Columbia typically winter in old-growth forests, where their primary forage is arboreal lichens. Habitat management for those caribou has generally been directed at trying to protect old-growth forests from logging
Researchers and managers have begun to ask whether second-growth forests can be managed so that they will function as caribou habitat before they are logged again
That question has become urgent in some caribou ranges east o f Prince George

Summary

Introduction

The woodland caribou of southeastern British Columbia typically winter in old-growth forests, where their primary forage is arboreal lichens. Habitat management for those caribou has generally been directed at trying to protect old-growth forests from logging. Wildlife managers are asking how this logging is affecting caribou, and what can be done to make the cut areas into future caribou habitat. To address those questions, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, in cooperation with the Ministry o f Forests and the forest industry, is initiating a research and management project centred east o f Prince George. Providing an extensive habitat base by managing second growth is expected to allow caribou to disperse sparsely over large areas, reducing the risk of mortality from predation and poaching

Factors limiting arboreal lichen forage in young stands

Opportunities to enhance lichen production in young stands