Abstract
The diet of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations in the foothills and Rocky Mountains of west-central Alberta was estimated by microhistological analyses of feces collected in winter and summer. In winter, terrestrial lichens averaged 60-83% of fecal fragment densities in both areas. In the mountains, decreasing proportions of terrestrial lichens and increasing proportions of conifer needles and moss indicated decreasing accessibility of forage because of deeper/harder snow. Apparent diets in summer were dominated by Salix spp., sedges, and lichens. However, forb inflorescences and stems were largely undetected by the microhistological technique and results for summer samples must be interpreted accordingly. We conclude that the conservation and management of forest ecotypes of caribou must include options of lichen-rich habitats as a major component of management plans.
Highlights
Knowledgeof diet is fundamental to definitionofa species niche, habitat, and ecology
T h e diet ofwoodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations i n the foothills and RockyMountainsof west-central Alberta was estimated by microhistological analyses o f feces collected i n winter and summer
W h a t sorts o f habitats should be safeguarded? A r e lichens essential to the viability of forest-alpine ecotypes o f caribou in western Canada?
Summary
Knowledgeof diet is fundamental to definitionofa species niche, habitat, and ecology. T h e second group o f samples came from caribou wintering in the Rocky Mountains, mostly i n watersheds of Jasper National Park. These caribou, in three subpopulations, traverse alpine, subalpine, and montane regions over short distances. T h e purpose was to obtain independent information o n diet by examin i n g plant species present at feeding sites. Another objective was to obtain insights into forage selection by caribou by comparing data from the microhistological technique with the relative frequency o f plant species found i n feeding craters. W e assessed the ability o f the technique to detect plants in the summer diet
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