Abstract
A methodology using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images and vegetation typology, based on lichens as the principal component of caribou winter diet, was developed to map caribou habitat over a large and diversified area of Northern Québec. This approach includes field validation by aerial surveys (helicopter), classification of vegetation types, image enhancement, visual interpretation and computer assisted mapping. Measurements from more than 1500 field sites collected over six field campaigns from 1989 to 1996 represented the data analysed in this study. As the study progressed, 14 vegetation classes were defined and retained for analyses. Vegetation classes denoting important caribou habitat included six classes of upland lichen communities (Lichen, Lichen-Shrub, Shrub-Lichen, Lichen-Graminoid-Shrub, Lichen-Woodland, Lichen-Shrub-Woodland). Two classes (Burnt-over area, Regenerating burnt-over area) are related to forest fire, and as they develop towards lichen communities, will become important for caribou. The last six classes are retained to depict remaining vegetation cover types. A total of 37 Landsat TM scenes were geocoded and enhanced using two methods: the Taylor method and the false colour composite method (bands combination and stretching). Visual inter¬pretation was chosen as the most efficient and reliable method to map vegetation types related to caribou habitat. The 43 maps produced at the scale of 1:250 000 and the synthesis map (1:2 000 000) provide a regional perspective of caribou habitat over 1200 000 km2 covering the entire range of the George river herd. The numerical nature of the data allows rapid spatial analysis and map updating.
Highlights
From estimates in the order of 50 000 animals in the 1950s, the total number of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Québec/Labrador possibly approached 1 000 000 animals in the mid 90s
Exploration of the possibilities of image enhancements together with field assessment of veg¬ etation cover types leads to the development of a classification of 14 vegetation classes, six of them related to lichen
Vegetation classes are superim¬ posed against the backdrop of the three biomes, and bring out the important features of caribou habitat
Summary
From estimates in the order of 50 000 animals in the 1950s, the total number of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Québec/Labrador possibly approached 1 000 000 animals in the mid 90s. In the past two decades the sizes and dynamics of the Québec/Labrador cari¬ bou herds have attracted attention on several fronts including: population management, native and recreational harvest, low flying jet aircraft, hydro¬ electric developments, airport safety and a concern for habitat deterioration caused by the ani¬ mals themselves. In order to address some of these management issues, a baseline set of mapped infor¬ mation was needed to serve as a unifying tool for the various interests in the area. Satellite imagery was Rangifer, Special Issue No 14, 2003 chosen as a time-saving and cost-effective means for synoptic habitat mapping for very large areas. The inherent assumption is that wildlife habitat is related to vegetation cover and ecological character¬ istics visible on satellite images
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