Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 15
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Forest-Dwelling Woodland Caribou - Northern Mountain Population
Caribou des bois
Distribution: Yukon and western Northwest Territories and northern British Columbia
Extent and Area Information
| Extent of occurrence (EO) (km2) | 308 000 + |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | About stable |
| Extreme fluctuations in EO (> 1 order)? | No |
| Area of occupancy (AO) (km2) | 308 000 |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | About stable |
| Extreme fluctuations in AO (> 1 order)? | No |
| Number of extant locations | 36 |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Stable |
| Extreme fluctuations? (>1 order of magnitude)? | No |
| Habitat trend: declining, stable, increasing or unknown | Declining |
Population Information (LP = local populations that comprise Northern Population)
| Generation time (average age of parents) | 6.7 years |
| Number of mature individuals (capable of reproduction) | 37 400 (44 000 x 0.85) |
| Trend: (loc. pop. decreasing/ stable/ increasing/ unknown) | About stable (LP:3/15/4/14) |
| % decline in 20 years (or shorter period) | Data inadequate |
| Extreme fluctuations in number (>1 order)? | No (some local pop, yes) |
| Population severely fragmented? (<1 migrant / year)? | Unknown |
| List each local population & its numbers | Appendix 1a |
| Trend in no. of populations (decline, stable, etc.) | Stable |
| Extreme fluctuation in no. of local populations? | No |
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
Unregulated hunting, predation, fire, low numbers, Access and disturbance, isolation (fragmentation), forestry and other developments, and lack of available habitat (in order of estimated magnitude)
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source unlikely to be successful if indigenous die out)
| Does species exist elsewhere (in Canada or outside)? | Yes, but differ |
| Status of the outside populations? | Variable |
| Is immigration known or possible? | Possible |
| Would immigrants be adapted to survive here? | Probably |
| Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants here? | Yes (not applicable) |
Quantitative Analysis
None
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Forest-Dwelling Woodland Caribou - Southern Mountain Population
Caribou des bois
Distribution: Central & southern British Columbia and Mountains and Foothills of Alberta
Extent and Area Information
| Extent of occurrence (EO) (km2) | 136 000 + |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Ca. 40% decline in 150 yr |
| Extreme fluctuations in EO (> 1 order)? | Not extreme but large |
| Area of occupancy (AO) (km2) | 136 000 |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Decline (from historical) |
| Extreme fluctuations in AO (> 1 order)? | No |
| Number of extant locations | 30 |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Stable (future decline likely) |
| Extreme fluctuations? (>1 order of magnitude)? | No |
| Habitat trend: declining, stable, increasing or unknown | Declining |
Population Information (LP = local populations that comprise Southern Population)
| Generation time (average age of parents) | 6.7 years |
| Number of mature individuals (capable of reproduction) | 6300 (7200 x 0.88) |
| Trend: (loc. pop. decreasing/ stable/ increasing/ unknown) | Decreasing (12/13/0/5) |
| % decline in 20 years (or shorter period) | Inadequate data |
| Extreme fluctuations in number (>1 order)? | Unknown |
| Population severely fragmented? (<1 migrant / year)? | Yes, increasingly so |
| List each local population & its numbers | Appendix 1b |
| Trend in no. of populations (decline, stable, etc.) | About stable, forecast decline in next 20 years |
| Extreme fluctuation in no. of local populations? | No |
Threats to populations or habitats
Predation, access and disturbance, forestry and other developments, limited available habitat, isolation (fragmentation), low numbers, and unregulated hunting (in order of estimated magnitude) (magnitude increasing)
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source unlikely to survive if indigenous die out)
| Does species exist elsewhere (in Canada or outside)? | Yes (may be different ecotype) |
| Status of the outside populations? | Variable |
| Is immigration known or possible? | Possible |
| Would immigrants be adapted to survive here? | Unknown |
| Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants here? | Yes, but quality may be inadequate |
Quantitative Analysis
None
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Forest-Dwelling Woodland Caribou - Boreal Population
Caribou des bois
Distribution: Northwest Territories and northeastern British Columbia to Labrador
Extent and Area Information
| Extent of occurrence (EO) (km2) | >1 143 613 (+ ON & QC) |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Decline. (40% decline in AB & ON) |
| Extreme fluctuations in EO (> 1 order)? | No |
| Area of occupancy (AO) (km2) | 1 143 613 (+ ON & QC) |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Decline from historical; to 60% (AB) |
| Extreme fluctuations in AO (> 1 order)? | No |
| Number of extant locations excluding Ont. & Que. | 34-52 (SK 3-21)1 |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Decline from historical. Subpop. lost across range |
| Extreme fluctuations? (>1 order)? | No (yes for local populations) |
| Habitat trend: declining, stable, increasing or unknown | Declining rapidly where development; outlook poor in commercial forest |
Population Information (LP = local populations that comprise Boreal Population)
| Generation time (average age of parents) | 6.7 years |
| Number of mature individuals (capable of reproduction) | 29 000 (33 000 x 0.88)2 |
| Trend: (loc. pop. decreasing/ stable/ increasing/ unknown) | Decreasing (LP: 12/6/1/33) |
| % decline in 20 years (or shorter period) | Unknown. Loc. pop. declines in Labr. of 75-80%. Also decreases in AB, SK |
| Extreme fluctuations in number (>1 order)? | Unknown |
| Population severely fragmented? (<1 migrant /yr)? | Yes, in parts of range |
| List each local population & its numbers | Appendix 1c |
| Trend in no. of populations (decline, stable, etc.) | Increase (more effort) |
| Extreme fluctuation in no. of local populations? | No |
Threats to populations or habitats
Forestry operations, increased predation, other developments, fire, unregulated hunting, isolation and small local populations (fragmentation), and climatic warming (threats of some factors likely to increase)
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source unlikely to survive if indigenous die out)
| Does species exist elsewhere (in Canada or outside)? | Yes (different genes, ecotype) |
| Status of the outside populations? | Variable |
| Is immigration known or possible? | Possible |
| Would immigrants be adapted to survive here? | Unknown |
| Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants here? | Yes, but unlikely to be successful |
Quantitative Analysis
None
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Forest-Dwelling Woodland Caribou - Newfoundland Population
Caribou des bois
Distribution: Main Island and offshore islands of Newfoundland
Extent and Area Information
| Extent of occurrence (EO) (km2) | 66 263 + |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Recent stability |
| Extreme fluctuations in EO (> 1 order)? | Yes (decline then increase) |
| Area of occupancy (AO) (km2) | 66 263 |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Yes (decline then increase) |
| Extreme fluctuations in AO (> 1 order)? | Yes |
| Number of extant locations | 27 with known status |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Yes (decline then increase) |
| Extreme fluctuations? (>1 order of magnitude)? | Yes |
| Habitat trend: declining, stable, increasing or unknown | Stable – decline |
Population Information
| Generation time (average age of parents) | 6.7 years |
| Number of mature individuals (capable of reproduction) | 85 000 |
| Trend: (loc. pop. decreasing/ stable/ increasing/ unknown) | Increasing (LP: 0/11/15/0) |
| % decline in 20 years (or shorter period) | Not applicable |
| Extreme fluctuations in number (>1 order)? | Yes |
| Population severely fragmented? (<1 migrant / year)? | Unknown |
| List each local population & its numbers | Appendix 1d |
| Trend in no. of populations (decline, stable, etc.) | 22 introduced |
| Extreme fluctuation in no. of local populations? | Yes |
Threats to populations or habitats
Access and disturbance (moderate for 82% LP), predation (moderate for 74% LP), forestry (moderate for 56% LP), fire (moderate for 41% LP). Introduced parasite caused a sharp decrease in the Avalon local population.
Rescue effect (immigration from an outside source): (not applicable)
| Does species exist elsewhere (in Canada or outside)? | Yes (genotypes differ) |
| Status of the outside populations? | Threatened |
| Is immigration known or possible? | No |
| Would immigrants be adapted to survive here? | Yes |
| Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants here? | Unlikely (not applicable) |
Quantitative Analysis
None
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Forest-Dwelling Woodland Caribou - Atlantic (Gaspésie) Population
Caribou des bois
Distribution: Gaspésie Conservation Park, Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec
Extent and Area Information
| Extent of occurrence (EO) (km2) | About 1000 |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Recent stability |
| Extreme fluctuations in EO (> 1 order)? | Not in last 20 years |
| Area of occupancy (AO) (km2) | 1000 |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | About stable in last 20 yr. |
| Extreme fluctuations in AO (> 1 order)? | Historically yes, recent stability |
| Number of extant locations | One (2 subpopulations) |
| Trend (decline, stable, increasing, unknown) | Recent stability |
| Extreme fluctuations? (>1 order of magnitude)? | Historically yes, recent stability |
| Habitat trend: declining, stable, increasing or unknown | Past decline, recent stability |
Population Information
| Generation time (average age of parents) | 6.7 years |
| Number of mature individuals (capable of reproduction) | <150 |
| Trend: (loc. pop. decreasing/ stable/ increasing/ unknown) | Recent decline (variable) |
| % decline in 20 years (or shorter period) | About stable |
| Extreme fluctuations in number (>1 order)? | Historically yes, recent stability |
| Population severely fragmented? (<1 migrant / year)? | Completely isolated |
| List each local population & its numbers | Gaspésie, <200 |
| Trend in no. of populations (decline, stable, etc.) | No change |
| Extreme fluctuation in no. of local populations? | No |
Threats to populations or habitats
Low number (inbreeding depression, catastrophe), limited available habitat (no optional range if severe snow or ice), isolation, predation (coyotes and bears), disturbance by hikers, fire, climate change.
Rescue effect (immigration or translocation from an outside source unlikely to survive if indigenous population dies out. Additions may improve genetic diversity)
| Does species exist elsewhere (in Canada or outside)? | Yes but different genotypes |
| Status of the outside populations? | Variable – too distant for |
| Is immigration known or possible? | Not possible naturally |
| Would immigrants be adapted to survive here? | Unknown |
| Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants here? | Questionable. Very small range & population size |
Quantitative Analysis
None
Footnotes
1 Saskatchewan reported the status of caribou in 3 ecoregions. Subsequently, 18 local populations were mapped (Godwin and Thorpe 1999) and 7 regional groups of caribou (metapopulations?) were mapped (Arsenault pers. comm. 2001). When maps are combined, there are 21 distributions.
2 Calves are assumed to constitute 12% of the population.
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