Potential Implications of Beetle-related Timber Salvage on the Integrity of Caribou Winter Range

Habitat supply modeling can be used to forecast the likely effects of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) related timber salvage on the integrity of critical habitat used by threatened herds of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). We simulated mountain pine beetle attack and four differing policies of timber harvest from current conditions over 80 years into the future and used the Caribou Habitat Assessment and Supply Estimator to compare the relative supply of timber and low-elevation winter range within landscape areas used by four threatened herds of woodland caribou.

The policies assessed included: a) a base case in which we mimicked current era constraints on industrial forest development, including general wildlife measures undertaken within caribou winter ranges – we also assumed no special significance of the mountain pine beetle epidemic and timber was harvested as long as it was merchantable, b) a scenario in which licensees showed a preference for salvage of pine (Pinus contorta) over other timber as long as there was no significant development of operational infrastructure and where operational constraints such as general wildlife measures were specifically avoided, c) a scenario similar to the previous one but harvest constraints in winter ranges were temporarily suspended during salvage of dead forests, and d) a scenario similar to the previous but there was also an increase in allowable annual cut available to licensees. The results of these hypothetical management scenarios are tabulated, compared, and the implications on timber and habitat for caribou are discussed. The comparisons potentially serve to guide future policy development concerning salvage of timber killed by mountain pine beetle and help raise potentially significant issues concerning conservation of winter range for woodland caribou.

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