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Habitat potential refers to the ability or capability of a habitat type to support a wildlife species for its various life cycle requirements. Potential does not consider the current state of the habitat (e.g. recently burned, harvested or industrial development), but its optimal state. Caribou habitat potential has been categorized into low, moderate and high classes based on the biophysical attributes of the Saskatchewan ecosite classification (McLaughlan et al., 2010) and their utility and function for caribou. Forest ecosites represent information about a site’s tree species, plant-abundance and soil and site characteristics (McLaughlan et al., 2010). Forest ecosite habitat potential ranks were assigned by individually evaluating the ecosite’s potential to provide forage, refuge and calving habitat. Low habitat potential = 0
Moderate habitat potential = 1
High habitat potential = 2
Unknown = 255 |
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Habitat potential refers to the ability or capability of a habitat type to support a wildlife species for its various life cycle requirements. Potential does not consider the current state of the habitat (e.g. recently burned, harvested or industrial development), but its optimal state. Caribou habitat potential has been categorized into low, moderate and high classes based on the biophysical attributes of the Saskatchewan ecosite classification (McLaughlan et al., 2010) and their utility and function for caribou. Forest ecosites represent information about a site’s tree species, plant-abundance and soil and site characteristics (McLaughlan et al., 2010). Forest ecosite habitat potential ranks were assigned by individually evaluating the ecosite’s potential to provide forage, refuge and calving habitat. Low habitat potential = 0
Moderate habitat potential = 1
High habitat potential = 2
Unknown = 255 |
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Lands Branch, Ministry of Environment |
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5000 |
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[] |
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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Woodland caribou habitat potential within the provincial forest of central and northern Saskatchewan has been identified by Saskatchewan, using a forest ecosite geographic information system layer which has been mapped for the area. Forest ecosites represent information about a site’s tree species, plant-abundance and soil and site characteristics (McLaughlan et al., 2010). Forest ecosite habitat potential ranks were assigned by individually evaluating the ecosite’s potential to provide forage, refuge and calving habitat. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Forage value was rated based on the availability of lichen and other plant species, which are palatable to caribou (Thomas and Armbruster, 1996).</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Refuge value was rated based on the availability of plant species which provide food value for other ungulates (e.g. moose, deer, elk). This was used as a surrogate for the probability of predation. If these food sources are not present, the ecosite has potential to provide refuge for caribou from predators. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Calving and post-calving ratings were made in consideration of both the time of calving and the following two to four-week period. The primary consideration was safety from predation. The related factors considered were the ability to hide a calf and the lack of spring black bear forage. A secondary consideration was whether there was caribou forage available on the site.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Ecosite rankings were completed by a panel of biologists with expertise on woodland caribou habitat use in Saskatchewan. Forest ecosites were mapped with the assigned habitat potential value.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV> |
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| title:
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Caribou Habitat Potential |
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["Classification","biota","imageryBaseMapsEarthCover","Boreal Shield","Boreal Plain","Woodland Caribou","Rangifer tarandus caribou","SK1","SK2","SK2 West","SK2 Central","SK2 East"] |
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en-US |
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150000000 |
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