Responses of Mountain Caribou to linear features in a west-central Alberta landscape

Resource expansion into previously undeveloped areas requires increases in access, which may have detrimental effects for some wildlife species. We studied the response of migratory mountain caribou to linear landscape features, including streams, roads, and seismic exploration lines, in the foothills along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Data from GPS telemetry collars during the two winters 1998-2000 were compared to a base map of linear features in a GIS, using distance buffers and compositional analysis. Caribou locations were distributed non-randomly around streams and roads, with preference increasing with distance from these linear features. This pattern of avoidance was also significant at a fine-scale, including only caribou that were in the vicinity of 0.5 kin of linear features. We did not detect a significant avoidance or preference by caribou for seismic lines in either winter. This study adds evidence that caribou avoid linear landscape features in forests. The exact mechanism is not known, but may relate to the presence of natural predators or human disturbance on these corridors. We did not detect a significant effect of seismic lines in our area, possibly due to differences in ecology from other regions, low statistical power in our design, or success in measures to reduce impacts. We emphasise three approaches to reduce effects of linear features as prescribed by current operating guidelines for industrial activity on caribou ranges.