Urgent action is required to reverse caribou population declines that are occurring throughout Alberta and to meet Federal targets for reducing habitat disturbance under the Species at Risk Act. Caribou declines are attributed primarily to anthropogenic habitat alteration, from a range of sources, such as oil and gas exploration and development, commercial forestry, and recreational use.
Forestry in Alberta is a multi-billion-dollar industry and a crucial employer in many rural communities, directly employing 17,500 people and supporting another 23,900 jobs. With 38% of Alberta’s green (forested) zone within caribou range and over half of boreal caribou range and nearly one third of Southern Mountain caribou range under Forest Management Agreement or other major forestry tenure, opportunities to allow for a successful working landscape in these areas are vital.
Almost all forestry in Alberta uses a clearcut with retention silviculture system, which causes near-term loss of caribou habitat and often increases the effect of apparent competition, the pathway through which conversion of forest to early seral stages leads to increased predation rates on caribou. This project identifies and reviews alternative silvicultural systems, harvesting and regeneration techniques for their potential to reduce negative impacts on caribou, while still allowing for timber harvest.
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