NEW! Slideshow
March 2010 - Omineca Northern Caribou Project
Brochures
- Caribou Habitat Recovery - Monitoring changes in caribou habitat after seven years of recovery planning.
- Caribou and Wolves - Testing the relationship
News Bulletins
Much of the work conducted by Wildlife Infometrics Inc. is focused on recovery efforts for caribou herds in north-central BC. For more information, read their latest newsletters:
- April 2009 News Bulletin
- April 2008 News Bulletin
- June 2007 News Bulletin
- December 2006 News Bulletin.
The Omineca Northern Caribou Project
A collaborative research initiative led by licensees in the forest sector and by the Ministry of Environment was the beginning of a long-term project locally known as the Omineca Northern Caribou Project (ONCP). Members of this original team eventually partnered in 2002 to form what is now Wildlife Infometrics Inc. (WII). Although WII has broadened their research basis, the ONCP remains of focal interest and importance for WII, the forest licensees in the area, and Ministry of Environment. The ONCP was purposely structured to address a series of studies that allowed for information to flow directly from modeling and hypothesis generation through inventories, adaptive management, and policy construction. Publications and reporting are loosely organized under these heading below. Further details about Wildlife Infometrics are available online at http://www.wildlifeinfometrics.com/.
The goals of the ONCP study were to:
- provide the necessary information to ensure management activities led to sustainable populations of northern caribou – especially in light of potential stressors such as forest development, predation, and hunting; and
- promote a philosophy that proactive, preventative management of caribou habitat would be more efficient and effective than corrective conservation.
As part of the project, a working group of biologists developed the CHASE model (Caribou Habitat and Supply Estimater). This model was developed and tested over the course of several years and used to a) generate research hypotheses, b) delineate caribou census areas, b) identify suitable ungulate winter ranges, and c) identify critical habitat for the Recovery Action Plan. The model was also used by local forest companies to determine where to locate proposed cut-blocks and roads that would have minimal impact to caribou populations.
Below is a comprehensive listing of the publications developed in connection with this project.
Policy: Recovery Action Plan
McNay, S., D. Heard, R. Sulyma, and R. Ellis. 2008. A recovery action plan for northern caribou herds in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Report No. 161, Version 5. Wildlife Infometrics, Inc., Mackenzie, BC. 91pp. Published as Forrex Series 22.
Policy: Ungulate Winter Range
McNay, R. S., Brumovsky, V., Sulyma, R., and Giguere, L. 2009. Habitat Assessment, Delineating High-elevation Ungulate Winter Range for Woodland Caribou in North-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 299. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S. 2004. Response to the proposed policy for low elevation Ungulate Winter Ranges for the Chase, Wolverine, Scott, and Finlay northern caribou herds. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 100. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.Timberline Forest Inventory Consultants Ltd. 2004. Mackenzie TSA operability assessment in Ungulate Winter Range units. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 131. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S., A. M. Doucette, R. K. McCann, D. C. Heard, B. G. Marcot, R. Sulyma, and R. Ellis. 2003. CLUPE project: Implementation of the Mackenzie LRMP Caribou Management Strategy. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 049. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Schmidt, K. and R. S. McNay. 2002. Wolverine, Chase, Finlay and Scott Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) final report, Version 2. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 035. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.Modeling: Habitat Supply
McNay R. S. and R. Sulyma. 2008. Reassessing the supply of northern caribou seasonal range types in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 279. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R.S., R. Sulyma, J. Voller, and V. Brumovsky. 2008. Potential implications of beetle-related timber salvage on the integrity of caribou winter range. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 273. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Brumovsky, V.J. 2007. autoCHASE development summary. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 227. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Brumovsky, V.J. 2007. autoCHASE user manual, Version 2. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 228. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R.S. and L. Giguere. 2007. Timing and synchronicity of calving in woodland caribou herds of north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 230. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Rankin, M. and R. S. McNay. 2007. Assessment of modeled high-elevation winter range in woodland caribou herd areas of north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 224. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R.S., B.G. Marcot, V. Brumovsky, and R. Ellis. 2006. A Bayesian approach to evaluating habitat suitability for woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 205. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC. Published as Can. J. For. Res. 36:3117-3133.
Brumovsky, V. J. 2004. Summary of CHASE model applications to the Wolverine, Chase, and Takla study areas. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 111. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Doucette, A. M., R. K. McCann, T. Barrett, J. L. Caldwell, and A. Fall. 2004. CHASE: User’s guide, Version 3 DRAFT. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 061. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S., B. Marcot, R. Ellis, R. Sulyma, P. E. Hengeveld, and R. K. McCann. 2004. Developing forecasts of habitat supply to assist conservation management in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 099. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Brumovsky, V. J. 2003. Pine lichen winter range capability and terrestrial lichen habitat unit creation for the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou herd study area. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 093. Wildlife Informetrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Doucette, A. M. 2003. Status of CHASE model scenario runs. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 065. Wildlife Informetrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Fall, A. 2003. Omineca Northern Caribou Project: Harvest schedule and disturbance models for the Wolverine caribou herd area. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 073. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S. 2003. An information note on CHASE model development: Specific reference to the PLWR sub-model changes and model testing. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 064. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S. and A. M. Doucette. 2003. Assessment of a Bayesian belief network describing caribou’s preference for winter range in North-Central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 058. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S., K. L. Zimmerman, and R. Ellis. 2003. CHASE: Using modeling, adaptive management to assist Mackenzie LRMP in strategic and OFP REVIEW DRAFT. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 055. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Sulyma, R. and B. Alward. 2003. Recommended changes to the high-elevation winter range sub-model (version 10b) of the CHASE model. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 062. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC. 15 pp. plus appendices.
Sulyma, R. and R. Ellis. 2003. Omineca Northern Caribou Project CHASE model presentation to managers: Meeting minutes. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 048. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Doucette, A. M. and R. S. McNay. 2002. Assessment of pine-lichen winter range in the Chase herd study area. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 001. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S., K. L. Zimmerman, and R. Ellis. 2002. CHASE:Using modeling and adaptive management to assist Mackenzie LRMP DRAFT RESULTS. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 060. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, S., K. Zimmerman, R. Ellis, R. McCann, T. Barrett, R. Sulyma, A. Walton, D. Heard, D. Seip, A. Doucette, A. Fall, B. Nyberg, and L. Hulstein. 2002. Omineca Northern Caribou Project: Modeling and adaptive management process to assist strategic planning, and operational planning in the Mackenzie LRMP. DRAFT. Oct. 2002.
Zimmerman, K. L. and R. Ellis. 2002. Omineca Northern Caribou Project CHASE model results presentation: Meeting minutes. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 050. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Zimmerman, K. 2001. A comparative analysis of Wildlife Habitat Interpretation Ratings in north-central British Columbia. DRAFT. 21pp.
Ellis, R. 2000. Mackenzie LRMP - Caribou Management Strategy modeling and adaptive management process: Status report (June 15, 2000). Unpubl. Report, Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 37pp.
Becker, D. 1998. Preliminary woodland caribou habitat evaluation model for Mackenzie Timber Supply Area, British Columbia. Unpubl. Rep., Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 79 pp.
Modeling: Populations
O’Brien, D. 2005. A model for assessment of northern caribou population response to projections of seasonal range conditions and predation risk. Model description & outputs for sensitivity analysis and testing. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 168. Cortex Consultants Inc., Victoria, BC.
O’Brien, D., G. Sutherland, and R. S. McNay. 2004. CHASE: Modifications and sensitivity analysis for the CHASE spacially explicit population model for northern caribou. DRAFT. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 130. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Sutherland, G. and D. O’Brein. 2003. Caribou Habitat Assessment and Supply Estimator (CHASE) prototype seasonal range: Population models for the northern caribou. DRAFT. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 096. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Remesz, V. 2002. Modeling the population dynamics of northern Omineca caribou. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 069. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.Ecological Inventories and Monitoring
MacDonald, F. 2009. Monitoring the distribution of radio-collared caribou and wolves in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 313. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
R.S. McNay, R. Sulyma, and L. Giguere. 2009. Abundance and distribution of woodland caribou in the Wolverine and Chase recovery plan areas. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 319. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
Giguere L. and R. S. McNay. 2008. Abundance and distribution of woodland caribou in the Wolverine and Chase recovery plan areas. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 272. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.McNay. R.S., F. MacDonald, and L. Giguere. 2008. Preliminary assessment of two techniques for estimating the relative abundance and spatial distribution of wolves. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 275. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Giguere L. and R. S. McNay. 2007. Abundance and distribution of woodland caribou in the Chase, Wolverine, and Scott recovery plan areas. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 225. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S., V.J. Brumovsky, L. Giguere and J. Voller. 2007. Decomposing bias in GPS relocations of caribou and moose in north-central British Columbia, Version 2. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 202. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R.S, A. Carson, and R. Sulyma. 2008. Refinement and verification of a model to predict high-elevation winter range for woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 265. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Rankin, M.L. and R.S. McNay. 2007. Use of serial dependence to indicate movement decisions by woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 235. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R.S. and J. Voller. 2007. Mortality and survival-rate estimates for woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia.
McNay, R. S. and L. Giguere. 2006. An aerial survey of northern caribou in the Chase herd area. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 198. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Sulyma, R. and B. Alward. 2004. Blackwater PEM retrofit accuracy assessment. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 134. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Wilson, L., K. Schmidt, and R. S. McNay. 2004. Aerial-based census results for caribou in the Wolverine herd area, January/February 2004. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 115. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Wilson, L., K. Schmidt, and R. S. McNay. 2004. Aerial-based census results for the Takla caribou herd, February 2004. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 105. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Keddie, G. A. 2003. Omineca Northern Caribou Project: Biological samples summary 1999-2003. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 045. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC. 2 pp.
McNay, R. S. and R. Sulyma. 2003. Aerial reconnaissance of modeled terrestrial lichen habitat units in the Scott, Wolverine, and Chase caribou herds of north-central BC. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 094. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Schmidt, K. 2002. 2002 ONCP summer habitat pre-analysis report. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 020. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Zimmerman, K. L., R. S. McNay, L. Giguere, J. B. Joy, K. Schmidt, P. Hengeveld, S. Walshe, G. Keddie, and L. Wilson. 2002. Ecological Ecological factors affecting northern caribou in the Omineca region, British Columbia. Year 4 (2001) inventory results. Unpubl. Report, Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 129 pp. (Download Report).
Zimmerman, K.L., R.S. McNay, L.Giguere, S.Walshe, G.A.Keddie, L.Wilson, K.Schmidt, P.E.Hengeveld, A.M.Doucette. 2002. Aerial-based census results for caribou and moose in the Mackenzie TSA, March 2002. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 044. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC..
Zimmerman, K. L., R. S. McNay, J. B. Joy, and L. Giguere. 2001. Ecological factors affecting northern caribou in the Omineca region, British Columbia. Year 3 (2000) inventory results. Unpubl. Report, Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 95 pp. (Download Report).
Demarchi, M. 2000. Moose inventory in and around the Tsay Keh Dene Traditional Territory, February 2000. Unpubl. Report, BC Ministry of Environ., Lands, and Parks, Omineca Region, Prince George, BC. 21pp. (Download Report).
Zimmerman, K. L., J. B. Joy, R. S. McNay, and L. Giguere. 2000. Ecological factors affecting northern caribou in the Omineca region, British Columbia. Year 2 (1999) inventory results. Unpubl. Report, Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 61 pp. (Download Report).
McNay, R. S., J. B. Joy, and L. Giguere. 1999. Ecological factors affecting northern caribou in the Omineca region, British Columbia. Year 1 (1998) inventory results. Unpubl. Report, Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 37 pp. (Download Report).
Adaptive Management: Terrestrial Forage Lichens
Sulyma, R. and R. S. McNay. 2008. Rehabilitation of caribou winter range following attack by mountain pine beetle: field reconnaissance summary UWR U-7-012. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 286. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
Haughian, S., R. S. McNay, and R. Sulyma. 2008. Rehabilitation of caribou winter range following attack by mountain pine beetle: Monitoring protocol and early post-fire vegetation dynamics. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 287. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
Sulyma, R and R. S. McNay. 2009. Rehabilitation of caribou winter range following attack by mountain pine beetle: Prescribed burn plan UWR U-7-012. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 307. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
Sulyma, R.. 2009. Rehabilitation of caribou winter range following attack by mountain pine beetle: Pre-treatment site monitoring UWR U-7-012. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 312. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
Sulyma, Randy. 2009. Use of GIS to Distinguish Successional from Pyro-climax Lichen Sites in Ungulate Winter Ranges of the Omineca Region, British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 315. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
Sulyma R, and R.S. McNay. 2009. Identifying factors affecting the succession and availability of terrestrial lichen communities in the Omineca Region of north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 322. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
McNay, S. and L. Giguere. 2004. Mortality causes and survival estimates for adult woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia: A preliminary investigation. Wildlife Infometrics Report No. 098. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC. 18pp.
Sulyma, R. and B. Alward. 2004. Adaptive management of forestry practices in pine-lichen woodlands in north-central British Columbia: post harvest data summary of Site 1. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 140. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Sulyma, R. 2003. Adaptive management of forestry practices in pine-lichen winter range for northern caribou in north-central British Columbia. 2002 general site field plot cards and maps. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 051. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Sulyma, R. 2003. Adaptive management of the forestry practices in pine-lichen winter range for northern caribou in north-central British Columbia. 2002 Philip Lake site treatment regime field plot cards and maps. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 052. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Sulyma, R. 2003. Adaptive management of forestry practices in pine-lichen woodlands in north-central British Columbia. Site 1 (98 Mile): 2002/03 treatment report. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 053. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Sulyma, R. 2003. Adaptive management of forestry practices in pine-lichen woodlands in north-central British Columbia. Site 3 (Philip Lakes): Pre-treatment assessment. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 054. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
Sulyma, R. and S. Wawryszyn. 2001. Adaptive management project plan: Adaptive management of forestry practices in pine-lichen winter range for northern caribou in north-central British Columbia. Unpubl. Report., Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 39 pp.
Windle, T. and R. Sulyma. 2001. Methodology for field assessments in the project: adaptive management of forestry practices in pine-lichen winter range for northern caribou in north central British Columbia. Unpubl. Report, Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 13pp.
Sulyma, R. 2000. A retrospective study of terrestrial lichen development in harvested areas located in the Omineca region of north central British Columbia. Unpubl. Report, Forest Renewal B.C., Prince George Region, Prince George, BC. 20pp.Adaptive Management: Predation Risk
McNay R.S., R. Sulyma, and L. Giguere. 2010. Aerial surveys of the Wolverine and Chase woodland caribou herds in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 345. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
McNay, R.S. 2009. Patterns of Wolf Predation on Woodland Caribou in North-Central British Columbia. Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Report No. 323. 24pp plus appendices
McNay R. S., L. Giguere, and F. McDonald. 2008. Mitigating risk of predation for woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 274. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R.S. 2007. Spatial characteristics of predation risk for woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 233. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay R. S. and L. Giguere. 2007. Mitigating risk of predation for woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 232. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
McNay, R. S., L. Wilson, and L. Giguere. 2003. Testing the alternate prey hypothesis. Wildlife Infometrics Inc. Report No. 066. Wildlife Infometrics Inc., Mackenzie, BC.
