Avoidance of Industrial Development by Woodland Caribou

摘要: Rapid encroachment on woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat by resource extraction industries (oil, gas, forestry, and peat) is occurring throughout northern Alberta, Canada. The effect of this human development the movement distribution threatened remains poorly understood. We captured fitted 36 with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars. These yielded 43,415 locations during 12-month study period. tested hypothesis that use areas adjacent to wellsites, roads, seismic lines as often they away from these developments. analyzed locations, controlling for vegetation cover classes remove confounding effects habitat, grouped examine seasonal variation in distribution. Caribou avoided developments; level avoidance appeared be related activity area. recorded maximum distances 1,000 m (wells) 250 (roads lines). By extrapolating entire area, we calculated 22-48% our area would receive reduced caribou. Avoidance were highest late winter calving lowest summer, possibly a result lower traffic levels then. propose management strategies balance conservation Alberta.