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Demographic responses of boreal caribou to cumulative disturbances highlight elasticity of range-specific tolerance thresholds

Biodiversity and Conservation volume 26, pages 1179–1198 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Conserving species-at-risk requires quantifiable knowledge of the key drivers of population change. Non-linear demographic responses to habitat loss have been documented for many species and may serve to establish quantitative habitat thresholds for management purposes. In Canada, boreal populations of woodland caribou are considered threatened; Environment Canada’s empirical model of calf recruitment–range disturbance suggests that at least 65% undisturbed habitat is required to ensure viability. We tested the relationship upon which this conservation guideline is based by pairing demographic estimates with range conditions over a 10-year period for three boreal caribou populations. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate evidence of intra-population demographic responses to fluctuations in range quality over time; (2) to evaluate inter-population differences in demographic responses to cumulative range disturbances; and (3) to evaluate the sensitivity of disturbance tolerance thresholds to variation in local population demography. We found strong evidence in support of the disturbance–recruitment relationship for within-population responses over time (R2 = 0.77). Mixed effects logistic regression modeling revealed variations in local population responses to cumulative habitat depletion. Range-specific disturbance thresholds derived from Monte Carlo simulations were highly elastic in response to observed variation in local population demography, suggesting that 65% undisturbed habitat is insufficient when adult female survival and/or sex ratio is suboptimal. Study populations were determined to be not self-sustaining (Pr(λ ≥ 0.99) = 37–47%). Adult survival was comparable to estimates reported elsewhere despite Aboriginal harvesting for subsistence purposes. Results underscored potential trade-offs between forest harvesting and wildlife habitat conservation. Protection and restoration of sufficient quantities of undisturbed habitat, particularly via road reclamation, is essential for caribou population recovery.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank I. Schmelzer and M. Festa-Bianchet for suggesting constructive improvements to a previous version of this manuscript. Thanks to G. Hétu, S. Rivard, L. Lambert, C. Jutras and F. Manka for their scientific and logistical support coordinating the caribou telemetry surveys and datasets, to M.J. Mazerolle for his assistance with statistical analyses, and M. Desrochers for GIS support. This project was funded by the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec (MFFP) to support the work of a regional task force in collaboration with the Cree Nation Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NSERC-UQAT-UQÀM Industrial Research Chair in Sustainable Forest Management, Centre for Forest Research, Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, QC, H2X 1Y4, Canada

    Tyler D. Rudolph & Pierre Drapeau

  2. NSERC-UQAT-UQÀM Industrial Research Chair in Sustainable Forest Management, Institut de recherche sur les forêts, Centre for Forest Research, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445, boul. de l’Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 5E4, Canada

    Louis Imbeau

  3. Direction de la gestion de la faune du Nord-du-Québec, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, 951, boul. Hamel, Chibougamau, QC, G8P 2Z3, Canada

    Vincent Brodeur

  4. Direction de la gestion des forêts du Nord-du-Québec, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, 645, 1ère rue Est, La Sarre, QC, J9Z 3P3, Canada

    Sonia Légaré

  5. Centre for Northern Studies, Centre for Forest Research, Département de biologie, chimie et géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300, allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC, G5L 3A1, Canada

    Martin-Hugues St-Laurent

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  1. Tyler D. Rudolph
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  2. Pierre Drapeau
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  4. Vincent Brodeur
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  6. Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
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Correspondence to Martin-Hugues St-Laurent.

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Communicated by Karen E. Hodges.

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Rudolph, T.D., Drapeau, P., Imbeau, L. et al. Demographic responses of boreal caribou to cumulative disturbances highlight elasticity of range-specific tolerance thresholds. Biodivers Conserv 26, 1179–1198 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-017-1292-1

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