Project DescriptionInvestigation into short-term and long-term progression of terrestrial forage lichen cover following wildfire in the Boreal Shield of northern Saskatchewan.

Project Outcomes or Intended OutcomesBased on forage lichen cover alone, we can conclude that Jack Pine stands as young as 21-30 years may provide a more suitable supply of forage cover for woodland caribou. Results explain how woodland caribou have persisted in an environment with high fire frequency and extent and that it may be more appropriate to include two phases of caribou habitat availability in models rather than applying a single threshold after which habitat is deemed suitable.

Project DescriptionMapping of fire from 1988-2013 using the differenced Normalized Burn Ratio analysis of Landsat Thematic mapper and Operational Land Imager.

Project Outcomes or Intended OutcomesFor some Boreal Shield ranges, including SK1, where fire comprises the majority of total disturbance and residual patches of unburned forest re abundant, total disturbance calculations, critical habitat designation and range planning decisions should take into account residuals, including water bodies.