Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biodiversity and Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams LG (2005) Effects of maternal characteristics and climatic variation on birth masses of Alaskan caribou. J Mamm 86:506–513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastille-Rousseau G, Dussault C, Couturier S, Fortin D, St-Laurent M-H, Drapeau P, Dussault C, Brodeur V (2012) Sélection d’habitat du caribou forestier en forêt boréale québécoise. Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec

  • Bergerud AT, Ferguson R, Butler HE (1990) Spring migration and dispersion of woodland caribou at calving. Anim Behav 39:360–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brodeur V, Rivard S, Jutras C (2013) Inventaire du caribou forestier dans les secteurs Assinica et Broadback en 2003. Ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec, Chibougamau

    Google Scholar 

  • Canada Environment (2008) Scientific review for the identification of critical habitat for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), boreal population, in Canada. Environment Canada, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Canada Environment (2011) Scientific assessment to inform the identification of critical habitat for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), boreal population, in Canada: 2011 update. Environment Canada, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Canada Environment (2012) Recovery strategy for the woodland caribou, boreal population (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada. Environment Canada, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Courtois R, Gingras A, Dussault C, Breton L, Ouellet J-P (2003) An aerial survey technique for the forest-dwelling ecotype of woodland caribou, Rangifer tarandus caribou. Can Field Nat 117:546–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Courtois R, Ouellet J-P, Breton L, Gingras A, Dussault C (2007) Effects of forest disturbance on density, space use, and mortality of woodland caribou. Écoscience 14:491–498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cyr D, Gauthier S, Bergeron Y, Carcaillet C (2009) Forest management is driving the eastern North American boreal forest outside its natural range of variability. Front Ecol Environ 7:519–524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drapeau P, Leduc A, Bergeron Y (2009) Bridging ecosystem and multiple species approaches for setting conservation targets in managed boreal landscapes. In: Villard M-A, Jonsson BG (eds) Setting conservation targets for managed forest landscapes. Cambridge University Press, New York, pp 129–160

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Drapeau P, Leduc A, Hannon SJ, Villard M-A (2016) Natural disturbance regimes as templates for the response of bird species assemblages to contemporary forest management. Divers Distrib 22:385–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dussault C, Gravel S (2008) Inventaire du caribou forestier à l’hiver 2007 au Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Jonquière

    Google Scholar 

  • Dussault C, Courtois R, Ouellet J-P, Huot J (2001) Influence of satellite geometry and differential correction on GPS location accuracy. Wildl Soc Bull 29:171–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Dussault C, Pinard V, Ouellet J-P, Courtois R, Fortin D (2012) Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour? Proc R Soc B 279:4481–4488

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Faille G, Dussault C, Ouellet JP, Fortin D, Courtois R, St-Laurent MH, Dussault C (2010) Range fidelity: the missing link between caribou decline and habitat selection? Biol Conserv 143:2840–2850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Festa-Bianchet M, Ray JC, Boutin S, Côté SD, Gunn A (2011) Conservation of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Canada: an uncertain future. Can J Zool 89:419–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foster BL, Tilman D (2000) Dynamic and static views of succession: testing the descriptive power of the chronosequence approach. Plant Ecol 146:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaillard J-M, Festa-Bianchet M, Yoccoz NG, Loison A, Toïgo C (2000) Temporal variation in fitness components and population dynamics of large herbivores. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst 31:367–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gauthier S, Raulier F, Ouzennou H, Saucier J-P (2015) Strategic analysis of forest vulnerability to risk related to fire: an example from the coniferous boreal forest of Quebec. Can J For Res 45:553–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gitzen RA, Millspaugh JJ, Kernohan BJ (2006) Bandwidth selection for fixed-kernel analysis of animal utilization distributions. J Wildl Manag 70:1334–1344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gouvernement du Québec and Crees of Québec (2002) Agreement concerning a new relationship (Paix des Braves) between le Gouvernement du Québec and the Crees of Québec. Gouvernement du Québec, Québec

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatter IW, Bergerud WA (1991) Moose recruitment, adult mortality and rate of change. Alces 27:65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Heisey DM, Fuller TK (1985) Evaluation of survival and cause-specific mortality rates using telemetry data. J Wildl Manag 49:668–674

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imbeau L, St-Laurent MH, Marzell L, Brodeur V (2015) Current capacity to conduct ecologically sustainable forest management in northeastern Canada reveals challenges for conservation of biodiversity. Can J For Res 45:567–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacqmain H, Dussault C, Courtois R, Bélanger L (2008) Moose-habitat relationships: integrating local Cree native knowledge and scientific findings in northern Quebec. Can J For Res 38:3120–3132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson CJ (2013) Identifying ecological thresholds for regulating human activity: effective conservation or wishful thinking? Biol Conserv 168:57–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laliberte AS, Ripple WJ (2004) Range contractions of North American carnivores and ungulates. Bioscience 54:123–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lande R (1987) Extinction thresholds in demographic models of territorial populations. Am Nat 130:624–635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leblond M, Dussault C, Ouellet J-P (2013) Impacts of human disturbance on large prey species: do behavioral reactions translate to fitness consequences? PLoS ONE 8:e73695

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Leblond M, Dussault C, Ouellet J-P, St-Laurent M-H (2016) Caribou avoiding wolves face increased predation by bears—caught between Scylla and Charybdis. J Appl Ecol 53:1078–1087

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leclerc M, Dussault C, St-Laurent M-H (2014) Behavioural strategies towards human disturbances explain individual performance in woodland caribou. Oecologia 176:297–306

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lesmerises F, Dussault C, St-Laurent M-H (2012) Wolf habitat selection is shaped by human activities in a highly managed boreal forest. For Ecol Manag 276:125–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesmerises R, Ouellet J-P, Dussault C, St-Laurent M-H (2013) The influence of landscape matrix on isolated patch use by wide-ranging animals: conservation lessons for woodland caribou. Ecol Evol 3:2880–2891

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Levin N, Mazor T, Brokovich E, Jablon PE, Kark S (2015) Sensitivity analysis of conservation targets in systematic conservation planning. Ecol Appl 25:1997–2010

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Losier C, Couturier S, St-Laurent M-H, Drapeau P, Dussault C, Rudolph TD, Brodeur V, Merkle J, Fortin D (2015) Adjustments in habitat selection to changing availability induce fitness costs for a threatened ungulate. J Appl Ecol 52:496–504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polfus JL, Hebblewhite M, Heinemever K (2011) Identifying indirect habitat loss and avoidance of human infrastructure by northern mountain woodland caribou. Biol Conserv 144:2637–2646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poole KG, Cuyler C, Nymand J (2013) Evaluation of caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) survey methodology in West Greenland. Wildl Biol 19:225–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasiulis ALV, Schmelzer I, Wright CG (2012) The effect of temporal sampling regime on the characterization of home range for female boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Labrador, Canada. Rangifer 32:227–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudolph T, Drapeau P, St-Laurent M-H, Imbeau L (2012) Status of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the James Bay Region of Northern Quebec. Scientific Advisory Group, Woodland Caribou Recovery Task Force, Nord-du-Québec, Montréal

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer JA (2003) Long-term range recession and the persistence of caribou in the Taiga. Conserv Biol 17:1435–1439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer JA, Wilson CC (2002) The fuzzy structure of populations. Can J Zool 80:2235–2241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seip DR (1992) Factors limiting woodland caribou populations and their interrelationships with wolves and moose in southeastern British Columbia. Can J Zool 70:1494–1503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sleep D, Loehle C (2010) Validation of a demographic model for woodland caribou. J Wildl Manag 74:1508–1512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen T, McLoughlin PD, Hervieux D, Dzus E, Nolan J, Wynes B, Boutin S (2008) Determining sustainable levels of cumulative effects for boreal caribou. J Wildl Manag 72:900–905

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • St-Laurent M-H, Ferron J, Hins C, Gagnon R (2007) Effects of residual stand structure and landscape characteristics on habitat use by birds and small mammals in logged boreal forest. Can J For Res 37:1298–1309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler NJC (2010) Climate, snow, ice, crashes, and declines in populations of reindeer and caribou (Rangifer tarandus L.). Ecol Monogr 80:197–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UN General Assembly (2008) United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: resolution/adopted by the General Assembly. A/RES/61/295, 2 Oct 2007

  • Villard M-A, Jonsson BG (2009) Setting conservation targets for managed forest landscapes. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Vors LS, Schaefer JA, Pond BA, Rodgers AR, Patterson BR (2007) Woodland caribou extirpation and anthropogenic landscape disturbance in Ontario. J Wildl Manag 71:1249–1256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whittington J, Hebblewhite M, DeCesare NJ, Neufeld L, Bradley M, Wilmshurst J, Musiani M (2011) Caribou encounters with wolves increase near roads and trails: a time-to-event approach. J Appl Ecol 48:1535–1542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wittmer HU, McLellan BN, Serrouya R, Apps C (2007) Changes in landscape composition influence the decline of a threatened woodland caribou population. J Anim Ecol 76:568–579

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

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.

Author information

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

Authors
  1. Tyler D. Rudolph
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pierre Drapeau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Louis Imbeau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vincent Brodeur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sonia Légaré
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martin-Hugues St-Laurent.

Additional information

Communicated by Karen E. Hodges.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

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

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-017-1292-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation