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. Forage value was rated based on the availability of lichen and other plant species, which are palatable to caribou (Thomas and Armbruster, 1996).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. 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.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.

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. Forage value was rated based on the availability of lichen and other plant species, which are palatable to caribou (Thomas and Armbruster, 1996).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. 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.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.