Seasonal movements, habitat utilization, and population ecology of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou Gmelin) in the Wallace-Aikens Lake region of southeastern Manitoba

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorDarby, William Richarden_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-12-02T14:43:05Z
dc.date.available2009-12-02T14:43:05Z
dc.date.issued1979en_US
dc.degree.disciplineZoologyen_US
dc.degree.levelMaster of Science (M.Sc.)en_US
dc.description.abstractMost of the general public has some knowledge of migratory barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus L.), but few people realize that a larger counterpart, the woodland caribou (R. t. caribou Gmelin), exists in southern Canada. At present, the latter's range includes Newfoundland and most undeveloped areas of the boreal coniferous forest. Prior to European settlement, it included parts of the northern United States, but since 1750, the southern limit of distribution has receded steadily. In the past, representatives of the genus Rangifer were divided into many species and subspecies by several classification schemes. Banfield (1961) consolidated all races into one species (Rangifer tarandus) with five extant subspecies in North America: woodland caribou (R. t. caribou Gmelin), Grant's caribou (R. t. granti Allen) of the Yukon Territory and Alaska, barren-ground caribou (R. t. groenlandicus L.) of northern Canada, Peary's caribou (R. t. pearyi Allen) of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and domestic reindeer (R. t. tarandus L.) of the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Northwest Territories. However, consolidation of the genus by Banfield (1961) did not obviate the fact that many differences in behaviour still exist among the incorporated races, including those within the R. t. caribou subspecies (cf. Shoesmith 1978). Investigations of woodland caribou in closed forest habitat are exceedingly difficult, and little information exists on their ecology. 0ften, extrapolations cannot be made from the existing literature. Reasons for the shrinking distribution and decline of woodland caribou are controversial. Nonetheless, widespread development of caribou habitat has always been attended by disappearance of the subspecies. Woodland caribou constitute a valuable resource for tourism, recreation, and the economy of native people. If mismanaged, the resource will disappear. Baseline data on woodland caribou in developing areas of Manitoba are needed. Information on the ecology of local populations would be valuable in making management decisions. This study was initiated to obtain data on caribou in the Wallace-Aikens lakes area of southeastern Manitoba. For purposes of convenience, the caribou in this area will be referred to as the Aikens Lake herd. The major objectives were: (l) to gather information on seasonal movements, distribution, and herd behaviour; and (2) to collect data on herd size, reproduction, mortality, and other aspects of population ecology. A minor objective was to examine aspects of habitat utilization.en_US
dc.format.extentxii, 187 leaves :en_US
dc.format.extent8089561 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifierocm72761340en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/3489
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsopen accessen_US
dc.rightsThe reproduction of this thesis has been made available by authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research, and may only be reproduced and copied as permitted by copyright laws or with express written authorization from the copyright owner.en_US
dc.titleSeasonal movements, habitat utilization, and population ecology of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou Gmelin) in the Wallace-Aikens Lake region of southeastern Manitobaen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
local.subject.manitobayesen_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Darby, Seasonal Movements.pdf
Size:
7.71 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
FGS - Electronic Theses and Practica
Manitoba Heritage Theses