Over the past century, white-tailed deer have greatly expanded their range in North America, explains Melanie Dickie, a doctoral student with UBC Okanagan’s Wildlife Restoration Ecology Lab.
In the boreal forest of Western Canada, researchers have considered that both changing climate and increased habitat alteration have enabled deer to push farther north. Climate change can create milder winters, while habitat alteration from forestry and energy exploration creates new food sources for deer.
As they conclude their study, researchers caution that what is good for the deer isn’t necessarily suitable for other species, such as the threatened woodland caribou.
Full text of this article can be accessed here: Deer are expanding north, and that’s not good for caribou - UBC Okanagan News
*This article is being shared by the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium as the subject matter pertains to caribou and may be of interest to our audience.