Bulkley Valley Research Centre - Science in the Public Interest

Year 4 - Effects of a MPB Epidemic on Northern Caribou Habitat Use, Migration and Population Status

Project Reference Number: 2009-09

Project Status: Complete

Led by: Deborah Cichowski, Caribou Ecological Consulting, Smithers

Funder: Forest Investment Account - Forest Science Program

Project Proposal

The Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou population, federally listed as Threatened, is the first Northern Caribou population to experience the recent mountain pine beetle epidemic. During winter, caribou select mature lodgepole pine forests where terrestrial lichens are abundant, and forage primarily by cratering through the snow to obtain terrestrial lichens. By 2006, most mature lodgepole pine stands in the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou winter range were in the “grey attack” phase of the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The loss of needles in the canopy could affect snow conditions and consequently caribou movements, habitat use and foraging behaviour during winter. The focus of this project is to assess the impacts of the mountain pine beetle epidemic on Northern Caribou habitat use during the grey attack phase, using radio-collared caribou and winter ground investigations of foraging behaviour. Information from this project will be used to develop forest management strategies for caribou ranges that are experiencing mountain pine beetle epidemics, and for recovery planning for Northern Caribou in BC. Fieldwork was conducted in 2006/07, 2007/08, and 2008/09. This year, 2009/10, will be the final year of the project and will focus on data analysis and completion of a final report

Current Year Objectives:
(1) To analyze data collected from 2006/07 to 2008/09.
(2) To compare information collected during this study (during the grey phase of the mountain pine beetle epidemic) with information collected prior to the mountain pine beetle epidemic.
(3) To complete a final report for data collected from 2006/07 to 2008/09.
(4) To develop winter habitat management strategies for caribou populations experiencing mountain pine beetle outbreaks.

Current Year Objectives – FSP funding:
(1) To support a portion of the project biologist fees.

Long Term Objectives:
(2) To assess the effects of the mountain pine beetle epidemic on Northern Caribou migration and winter habitat use.
(3) To use information collected during this study to provide wildlife and forest managers with baseline information on the effects of epidemic mountain pine beetle numbers on caribou.
(4) To develop winter habitat management strategies for caribou populations experiencing mountain pine beetle outbreaks.

The first year of this project (2005/06) focused on purchasing radio-collars and collaring animals. The second (2006/07), third (2007/08) and fourth (2008/09) years focused on collaring animals, conducting winter ground investigations, and conducting monthly radio-telemetry flights. A final report will be completed in Year 5 (2009/10).

The objectives for the 2009/10 Forest Sciences Program funding portion of the project are:
•to support a portion of the project biologist fees; and,
•to complete a final report.

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