Canopy, snow, and lichens on woodland caribou range in southeastern Manitoba
نویسنده
چکیده
I examined the relationships among snow cover (api), l ichen abundance, and canopy composition on the range o f the Aikens Lake population o f woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) i n southeastern Mani toba. Percent cover o f forage lichens (Cladina spp.) was positively correlated w i t h max imum total thickness and w i t h max imum vertical hardness o f api. M i x e d communities o f trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), spruce (Picea spp.), and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) showed the most favourable nival conditions for caribou but had l o w lichen abundance; those dominated by jack pine (Pinus banksiana) were the converse. The results suggest an energetic compromise for woodland caribou when foraging for terrestrial lichens. D u r i n g winter, caribou exhibited significant selection for jack pine communities whereas mixed communities were avoided.
منابع مشابه
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