Author(s): David Spalding
Date: March 2000
Source: BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
Number on Library Shelf: 26

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/techpub/b100.pdf

Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) have ranged throughout the mountains of British Columbia for approximately 10,000 years, arriving quickly behind the retreating ice of the last ice age. Today their numbers and distribution are reduced, even from early historical times. There are three distinct groups, or ecotypes: the northern ecotype (relying heavily on terrestrial lichens for food), the mountain ecotype (feeding more on arboreal lichens than their northern counterpart) and the boreal ecotype, few in number and restricted to the lowlands of the extreme north-east of the province. Northern caribou are found in the Northern Boreal Mountain, Boreal Plains, Sub-boreal Interior, Central Interior and Coast and Mountain ecoprovinces. Their numbers and distribution in the Northern Boreal Mountains probably changed little over historical times, at least until about 1970; elsewhere, however, northern caribou have experienced a decline in numbers and a reduction in distribution. Mountain Caribou are found in the Southern Interior and Southern Interior Mountains ecoprovinces, and in the south-east portion of the Subboreal Interior and on the eastern edge of the Central Interior ecoprovinces. The decline in Mountain Caribou numbers and distribution has been more pronounced than in the northern ecotype, particularly in the Okanagan and throughout the Kootenays. Boreal Caribou have probably changed little in number or distribution during historical times. The initial series of declines in Caribou numbers began around the turn of the century in the extreme south-east of the province and ended in the early 1940s in the Cariboo. The evidence suggests a combination of over-hunting, often in combination with wolf predation, caused these initial reductions. Following control of hunter harvest and wolf numbers, Caribou began to increase slowly. However, by the 1950s and 1960s, habitat degradation and habitat loss were of growing importance and Caribou never increased to pre-decline levels.

Dawson’s Caribou (Rangifer tarandus dawsoni) arrived early on the Queen Charlotte Islands, probably 9–10,000 years ago, either by crossing on a land bridge or swimming a narrow channel. A slowly changing climate, particularly during the last 2000 years, created an environment unsuitable for Caribou and that sub-species is now extinct.
 

Author(s): Graham A. MacDonald
Date: 01-Jan-96
Source:
Number on Library Shelf: 60

The study reviews the literature relevant to Mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and seeks to assess the historical nature of the presence in the species in the Columbia Mountains. Sponsored by Mount Revelstoke-Glacier National Park, the study area has been conceived at the level of the known range of the animal, stretching from Northern Idaho to about Prince George on the north. The Columbia Mountains, consisting of the Selkirks, Purcells and Monashee ranges, represents the geographic unit of the study, with the Columbia trench and the western face of the Rockies defining an eastern limit.
 

Caribou of the central Selkirks: Questioning historic records for clues to recovery

Author: Brenda Herbison
Date: June 15, 2005
Number on Library Shelf: 172

This is a record of a presentation to North Kootenay Recovery Implementation Group. The presentation was funded by the Columbia Basin Trust’s Environmental Initiatives fund, through the Columbia Kootenay Fisheries Renewal Partnership. PowerPoint presentation with speaking notes are available as an PDF file at:

www.cmiae.org/compendium/reference172.pdf
 

Author(s): Richard L. Bonar
Date: 01-Jan-78
Source:
Number on Library Shelf: 15

This report summarizes progress on terrestrial biology programs undertaken during 1978-79 for the Revelstoke Hydroelectric Project by the Project Wildlife Biologist. These studies have as main objectives inventory of wildlife resources and assessment of Project impact on wildlife populations. Most studies are now underway. Preliminary findings as presented in this report are subject to revision and should not be considered as final data.
 

Author(s): British Columbia Environment And Land Use Committee
Date: 01-Jun-74
Source:
Number on Library Shelf: 21

The Mica Reservoir could provide a significant transportation function for the forest industry, to help reduce the need for an extensive road system.

However, if the cold winter climate will produce a freeze-up condition in the reservoir, followed by a breaking up of the ice due to the falling reservoir level, then it will be rendered useless for transport of men during a period of about four months. The effect of this will be to limit forest areas with only water access, to summer logging only due to the prohibitive expense of maintaining winter camps by helicopter. The result will be pressure from the forest operators for an extended road system around the reservoir as soon as possible.

The Pacific Region Field Services Directorate of the Atmospheric Environment Service (Environment Canada) carried out a study in 1973 to determine the conditions for freezing of the Mica Reservoir. As a result of this study they have predicted that it will normally freeze in winter. The period of ice cover will likely be from early January to mid-April, and the reservoir may remain open about one winter in ten except for shore ice in shallower areas.

The following report on the potential freezing of Mica Reservoir was prepared by Mr. D. Barry Schaefer for the Regional Director, Mr. J. L. Knox and submitted to the Mica Study Group.
 

Author(s): British Columbia Environment And Land Use Committee
Date: 01-Aug-74
Source:
Number on Library Shelf: 22

The Mica Dam was completed in 1973. The region defined for the study is that section of the Rocky Mountain Trench between Valemount and Golden together with its tributary valleys.

The purpose of the study was to determine the resources of the region, to assess restraints on development and to advise the Government on the possible options for their management.
 

Author(s): Keith Simpson, Ralph W. Ritcey
Date: 01-Feb-87
Source:
Number on Library Shelf: 41

The impacts of a hydro-electric reservoir on populations of caribou and grizzly bear were studied north of Revelstoke, BC. Information collected for 3 years prior to flooding was compared with data collected 1984-85. The reservoir did not obstruct the movement of caribou and animals did not attempt crossing during periods when ice conditions were hazardous. Evidence suggested that predator avoidance was the most important determinant of habitats used in spring. The cleared reservoir was an important habitat for caribou in spring because of the abundant food and security from predators it offered. A potential decline in caribou recruitment was noted in 1985 coincident with reservoir flooding. Further data will be required to confirm this decline. Recommendations include clearing some logged areas adjacent to formerly used reservoir habitats and maintaining movement corridors of mature timber between seasonal habitats. Inconclusive evidence suggested that the reservoir was a barrier to movement for grizzlies. Grizzly spring movements were related primarily to good feeding sites. Avalanche paths in side drainages were the principal habitats used. Cleared areas did provide an abundance of food comparable to naturally disturbed habitats. The main impact of reservoir flooding was in shifting the habitat use of bears from relatively secure areas, in the reservoir, to high risk habitats on the highway and powerline right-of-ways. Mitigative recommendations include reducing the attractiveness of right-of-ways by planting less palatable plants and maintaining spring ranges in tributary valleys by careful development planning. Formats used for recording habitat information and summarized guidelines for identifying important caribou and grizzly spring ranges are given in the appendices.