A framework to support the identification of critical habitat for wide-ranging species at risk under climate change DOI Creative Commons
Lionel Leston, Francisco V. Dénes, Teegan D. S. Docherty

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 21, 2023

Abstract To recover species at risk, it is necessary to identify habitat critical their recovery. Challenges for with large ranges (thousands of square kilometres) include delineating management unit boundaries within which use differs from other units, along assessing amounts and threats over time. We developed a reproducible framework support the identification wide-ranging risk. The (i) reviews distribution life history; (ii) delineates units across range; (iii) evaluates compares current (iv) potential future population size; (v) prioritizes areas based on conditions under various scenarios climate change land-use. used Canada Warbler ( Cardellina canadensis ) Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina in as case studies. Using geographically weighted regression models cluster analysis measure spatial variation model coefficients, we found geographic differences association only Warbler. predict amount each different then land change, projected that: 1) populations would decrease Alberta but increase Nova Scotia; 2) most run Quebec, New Brunswick, Scotia, except Ontario. By comparing results prioritization exercises, our can be way that incorporates land-use projections.

Language: Английский

How will climate change and forest harvesting influence the habitat quality of two culturally salient species? DOI
M. L. Thomas, Yan Boulanger, Hugo Asselin

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 927, P. 172148 - 172148

Published: April 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

3

There is still time to reconcile forest management with climate-driven declines in habitat suitability for boreal caribou DOI Creative Commons
Mathieu Leblond, Yan Boulanger,

Jesus Pascual Puigdevall

et al.

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 39, P. e02294 - e02294

Published: Sept. 27, 2022

Many boreal populations of woodland caribou in Canada are declining, mainly due to the prevalence anthropogenic disturbances which alter predator-prey dynamics. Climate change is expected exert an additional negative influence on coming decades, but it unclear whether or how human activities and climate will interact habitat suitability for caribou, important these agents be relative each other. In this study, we used LANDIS-II forest landscape model forecast across its distribution within harvestable Québec period 2020–2100, under three increasing radiative forcing scenarios (baseline, Representative Concentration Pathways [RCP] 4.5 8.5), two contrasting harvest (with without harvest). Our simulations revealed that harvesting was dominant agent explaining future variations suitability, although also decreased especially RCP 8.5. Climate-induced decreases mostly originated from increases wildfires burned mature conifer-dominated forests, i.e., high-quality caribou. Habitat by 2100 predicted vary spatially, with northeastern northwestern parts study area supporting better conditions regardless scenarios. We show reducing areas where currently high could help maintain even most intense scenario. results suggest highly-disturbed regions provide low-quality may not improve unless active restoration performed. helps disentangle potential effects management as threats habitat, emphasizing urgency reconciling conservation species at risk Canada.

Language: Английский

Citations

14

Climate change alone cannot explain boreal caribou range recession in Quebec since 1850 DOI Creative Commons
Chloé Morineau, Yan Boulanger, Philippe Gachon

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(23), P. 6661 - 6678

Published: Sept. 26, 2023

The contraction of species range is one the most significant symptoms biodiversity loss worldwide. While anthropogenic activities and habitat alteration are major threats for several species, climate change should also be considered. For at risk, differentiating effects human disturbances on past current transformations an important step towards improved conservation strategies. We paired historical maps with global atmospheric reanalyses from different sources to assess potential recent observed northward boreal populations woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Quebec (Canada) since 1850. quantified these by highlighting discrepancies between southern limits caribou's (used as references) reconstitutions obtained through hindcasting conditions within which currently found. Hindcasted moved ~105 km north over time under all reanalysis datasets, a trend drastically ~620 reported differences latitudinal shift hindcasted distribution suggest that recession have been only 17% what has 1850 if had disturbance driver. This relatively limited impact reinforces scientific consensus stating mainly caused drivers (i.e. logging, development road network, agriculture, urbanization) modified structure composition forest 160 years, paving way habitat-mediated apparent competition overharvesting. Our results call reconsideration ranges models aiming projecting future distributions, especially endangered species.

Language: Английский

Citations

7

A framework to support the identification of critical habitat for wide-ranging species at risk under climate change DOI Creative Commons
Lionel Leston, Francisco V. Dénes, Teegan D. S. Docherty

et al.

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(2), P. 603 - 628

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

Abstract To recover species at risk, it is necessary to identify habitat critical their recovery. Challenges for with large ranges (thousands of square kilometres) include delineating management unit boundaries within which use differs from other units, along assessing any differences among units in amounts and threats over time. We developed a reproducible framework support identification wide-ranging risk. The (i) reviews distribution life history; (ii) delineates across the range; (iii) evaluates compares current (iv) potential future population size (v) prioritizes areas based on conditions under various scenarios climate change land-use. used Canada Warbler ( Cardellina canadensis ) Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina as case studies. Using geographically weighted regression models cluster analysis measure spatial variation model coefficients, we found geographic association only Warbler. predict amount each different then land change, projected that: (1) populations would decrease Alberta but increase Nova Scotia (2) most run Quebec, New Brunswick Scotia, not Ontario. By comparing results prioritization exercises, our supports ways that incorporate land-use projections.

Language: Английский

Citations

2

Incorporating mechanism into conservation actions in an age of multiple and emerging threats: The case of boreal caribou DOI Creative Commons
Craig A. DeMars, Chris J. Johnson, Melanie Dickie

et al.

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(7)

Published: July 1, 2023

Abstract Conservation strategies for imperiled species are frequently based on identifying and addressing the probable causes of population decline, an approach known as declining paradigm. Causes, however, linked to demographic outcomes by multiple mechanisms, failing target primary mechanisms can reduce effectiveness efficiency conservation actions. Increasingly, also need consider emerging threats, such climate change. Here, we use boreal caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ), a threatened ecotype woodland caribou, case study illustrate how landscape disturbance change each exert negative effects through complex mechanisms. We reviewed extensive literature focused identify assess relative importance putative mechanism. While disturbance‐mediated apparent competition, expansion novel predators, altered predator behavior appear be dictating past current declines has increasing potential strong direct indirect now in future. Predicted may prevent some populations from regaining self‐sustaining status, despite local Our review revealed several knowledge gaps, notably lack clarity spatial extent undisturbed habitat required stable. used our demonstrate mechanistic understanding decline inform habitat‐based caribou. For residing within highly disturbed ranges, restoration is key recommendation strategies, yet large disturbances will require prioritization areas restoration. Maximizing return‐on‐investment mechanistically informed process that targets actions toward underlying decline.

Language: Английский

Citations

5

Modelling the potential of forest management to mitigate climate change in Eastern Canadian forests DOI Creative Commons
Abderrahmane Ameray, Yves Bergeron,

Xavier Cavard

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Sept. 4, 2023

Climate change poses a serious risk to sustainable forest management, particularly in boreal forests where natural disturbances have been projected become more severe. In three Quebec management units, biomass carbon storage under various climate and scenarios was over 300 years (2010-2310) with process-based dynamic landscape model (PnET-succession for Landis-II). Several strategies varying their use of partial cuts clear cuts, including business as usual (BAU) (clear-cut applied on than 95% the managed area), were tested compared conservation (no-harvest). Based simulation results at scale, clearcut-based such BAU could result decrease stock by 10 tC ha-1 yr-1 scenario. However, this reduction be offset long term through changes composition, clearcut systems promote expansion trembling aspen white birch. contrast, based 75% or 50% area closer better scenario resulted greater coniferous cover retention. These seemed best maximize stabilize ensure wood supply different scenarios, yet they would require further access appropriate infrastructure. Furthermore, these maintain species compositions age structures similar thus may consequently help achieve ecosystem-based targets. This study presents promising guide Eastern Canada context change.

Language: Английский

Citations

5

Differential responses of woodland caribou to fire and forestry across boreal and montane ecosystems—a literature review DOI Creative Commons
Suzanne Stevenson, Laura Finnegan, Chris J. Johnson

et al.

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 7, 2024

Abstract Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is a landscape-level and planning process that common across North America. A primary tenet of EBM the area intensity anthropogenic disturbance should mimic historical natural focal ecosystem. Biodiversity persist, at least coarse scale, where disturbance, such as forest harvesting, matches disturbance. However, failing some species, particularly those are dependent on old forest. Across many areas Canada, woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) declining because direct indirect effects habitat loss fragmentation. This even though often follows principles EBM. We conducted qualitative comparison responses to wildfire considering broad range responses, including selection distribution, forage, movement patterns, population dynamics. found while harvesting both influence caribou, negative generally greater following harvesting. For example, result in habitat, but more likely shift, abandon or contract their response harvest. The literature also suggested stronger harvest when compared wildfire. difference could be residual structure associated with well extensive resource roads necessary for forestry operations. Although there sound theoretical support EBM, practice, implemented, may not effective maintaining ultimately populations caribou.

Language: Английский

Citations

1

Faithful pals and familiar locales: differentiating social and spatial site fidelity during reproduction DOI
Jack G. Hendrix, Alec L. Robitaille, Jillian M. Kusch

et al.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1912)

Published: Sept. 4, 2024

Site fidelity—the tendency to reuse familiar spaces—is expected improve fitness. Familiarity with the local environment is particularly crucial when resource demands or predation risk are high. Consequently, site fidelity often peaks during reproduction energetic costs high and offspring vulnerable. For many species, they experience not solely a function of geography but also social environment. Social fidelity, selection for environments, could constitute an independent parallel strategy spatial considering behaviour at spatial–social interface. Using global positioning system locations from caribou across Newfoundland, we tested whether females selected calving sites based on proximity conspecifics, in addition geographical (spatial) fidelity. These strategies were synergistic, alternative, correlated population more variable within individuals. We either form affected reproductive success. failed detect effect success this population. Nevertheless, given association between demonstrated fitness consequences other systems, conspecifics potential benefits these partners provide may be underappreciated component driving This article part theme issue ‘The interface: theoretical empirical integration’.

Language: Английский

Citations

1

Evaluating how stand level forest dynamics influence caribou winter range DOI Open Access
E. Raymond Hall

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Forest ecosystems and the ecological services they provide are complex dynamic. Disturbance successional processes impact habitat for animals such as caribou (Rangifer tarandus Gmelin 1788, Banfield 1961, 1974) moose (Alces alces L.). The forested winter of Tweedsmuir-Entiako herd has been significantly affected by recent disturbance. In order to evaluate mid- long-term consequences habitat, we require an understanding how attributes change stand structure changes over time. I developed a framework link dynamics model (SORTIE-ND), via linker functions, three ecosystem elements relevant populations: terrestrial forage lichen, forage, vertical cover. first used SORTIE-ND following mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) attack clearcut harvesting. functions refined them with empirical data. These were applied output from project response disturbance agents. addressed questions: 1. What is influence edaphic site on provision time? 2. type 3. How do recovery trajectories differ in disturbances harvest? found that interacted suitability Poor productivity sites most favourable lichen. Higher stands broadleaf provided greatest shrubs. Both harvest improved lichen browse though different types. Interestingly, severe resulted conditions favoured longer than clearcuts. Clearcuts more suitable moose. When operating landscapes forest managers should consider history, distribution types, silviculture systems future desired state services. modelling could be support evaluation alternative management decisions including strategies. This approach also stand- site-specific supply models.

Language: Английский

Citations

2

Spatializing oil and gas subsidies in endangered caribou habitat: Identifying political‐economic drivers of defaunation DOI Creative Commons
Adriana DiSilvestro,

Audrey Irvine‐Broque

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(10)

Published: Aug. 22, 2023

Abstract Reforming environmentally harmful subsidies is an international priority under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Research that links industrial to negative ecological impacts, however, limited. This paper contributes emerging agenda of global “subsidy accountability” research by linking oil and gas decline endangered caribou herds in British Columbia, Canada. While existing concretely attributes activity, including development, we suggest there a need identify political‐economic structures which drive ongoing development habitat, public subsidies. We use government data map wells critical habitat determine how many are run operators receiving provincial fossil fuel “royalty credits”. Ultimately, find 1678, or 54%, located within companies have received benefits from one both BC's largest royalty credit programs. points for further analysis as indirect drivers biodiversity loss scale, well increased emphasis conservation research. It also highlights obstacles implementing appropriate solutions contexts dominated resource extraction.

Language: Английский

Citations

2