Woodland caribou scientific review to identify critical habitat: chapter 23

AB – Annual

BC - 2004

AB – Prescise pop.

Trend estimate only

(AB does not

enumerate caribou)

BC - Incomplete

250-300

(includes

former

Hotchkiss

Local

Population)

AB – 2005

NWT -

unknown

AB – Prescise pop.

Trend estimate only

(AB does not

enumerate caribou)

NWT – Incomplete

AB/NWT Steen River \

Yates

AB – 2005

NWT -

unknown

AB – Prescise pop.

Trend estimate only

(AB does not

enumerate caribou)

NWT - unknown

Northwest Territories

Reported data: Estimates for the units representing continuously distributed local population were derived from density estimates surrounding collared animals, and then extrapolated to larger geographic areas, or for the North Slave region, a density estimate was developed from aerial surveys. Reported trends are expert opinion from NWT based on size estimates over time.

NWT South Slave/SE

Dehcho

Local Population or

Unit of analysis

Year of

Census

Extent of Survey

Coverage

Local

Population

Size

Estimate

Current Local

Population Trend

291 (best

estimate)

365 (best

estimate)

Suspected Declining

Report for the Snake Satenah

had 94% adult female survival

and calf recruitment of 5-9

calves/100 cows which is

essentially a lambda of 1, but

the low calf recruitment

concluded that the local

population was suspected

declining. However, the study

was too short to make any firm

conclusions.

24 (best

estimate)

54 (best

estimate)

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Suspect declining. Local

population trend not measured.

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Rapidly declining (mean=

0.92 during 1995 – 2007

Range = 0.73 – 1.14)

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Rapidly declining (mean=

0.94 during 1995 – 2007

Range = 0.81 – 1.30)

AB West Side

Athabasca River

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Declining (mean= 0.99

during 1993 – 2007; range =

0.83 – 1.14)

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Unknown. Local population

trend not measured.

AB East Side

Athabasca River

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Declining (mean= 0.95

during 1993 – 2007; range =

0.80 – 1.08)

AB Cold Lake Air

Weapons Range

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Rapidly declining (mean=

0.93 during 1998 – 2007;

range = 0.75 – 1.05)

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Local population trend

estimate (AB does not

enumerate caribou)

Rapidly declining (mean=

0.89 during 1999 – 2007

Range = 0.77 – 1.04)

Local Population or

Unit of analysis

Year of

Census

Extent of Survey

Coverage

Local

Population

Size

Estimate

Current Local

Population Trend

Saskatchewan

Data reported: The survey used by Saskatchewan Wildlife Branch in the 1980s and early 1990s was one developed by government staff based on advice from some caribou researchers at the time. Surveys were conducted in late November or early December (but were never successful for a variety of reasons). Staff then chose to fly as soon as possible after a fresh snowfall, conducting a transect survey each morning using tightly spaced lines to pick up fresh caribou signs and record. Each afternoon staff would return with a helicopter to search out the sign, locate, count and sex/age the animals. In a survey in 1992, a helicopter was used for everything and simply went off transect each time fresh caribou signs were encountered - following up the sign, recording it, and returning to transect. Sunny days with shadows to show up the tracks were preferrable in contrast to a typical moose survey. Staff also stratified survey areas for the southern ones that were off the shield. In retrospect minimum counts were obtained rather than total local population estimates, and no attempts were made to define confidence limits. (pers comm. T.Trottier)

Estimate based on habitat

based on a density estimate

of 0.031 (Al Arsenault pers.

Comm.)

Estimate based on habitat

based on density estimate of

0.036 (average of density

estimates from two adjacent

WCMUs)

Estimate based on habitat

surveys of portions of range

based on density estimate of

0.041 (average of two

surveys)

Estimate based on habitat

and aerial surveys of

portions of range and aerial

survey in late 1980s based

on density estimate of 0.033

Estimate based on habitat

and aerial surveys in early

1990s, and data collected by

Alberta based on density

estimate of 0.047(average of

two surveys)

SK Smoothstone-

Wapawekka

Estimate based on habitat

and previous aerial surveys

of portions of range in early

1990s, and documented

range recession based on

density estimate of 0.027

(average of three surveys)

Declining with habitat change

based on professional

judgement

SK Suggi-Amisk-

Kississing

Estimate based on habitat

and previous aerial surveys

of portions of range in late

1980s based on density

estimate of 0. 055 (average

of two surveys)

Estimate based on recent

genetic work cooperative

with Manitoba. Documented

range recession. based on

density estimate of 0.012 (Al

Arsenault pers. Comm.)

Threat of decline

based on professional

judgement