Caribou behaviour and calving success in relation to oil and gas development: are all disturbances created equal?

Do caribou avoid well sites? Does activity at well sites affect caribou survival?

This project will study how well site activity and re-vegetation influence caribou behaviour and survival. Understanding caribou response to development and restoration will improve caribou recovery planning.

Project Scope

Boreal caribou populations are in decline throughout Alberta, due in part to the direct and indirect effects of oil and gas development within caribou range. Under the federal recovery strategy, a minimum of 65% undisturbed habitat within each caribou herd range is required to stabilize populations. None of Alberta’s caribou herd ranges meet the 65% undisturbed habitat target and managers are under pressure to implement habitat restoration. Currently, disturbed habitat is defined by the footprint of disturbance features (e.g. well sites, pipelines, roads, and seismic lines) buffered by 500m, irrespective of the activity status (active/abandoned) or regeneration stage of the disturbance.

To maximize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of restoration actions, it is imperative to understand how well site activity and regeneration stage influence the behaviour of caribou, and the survival of adult caribou and neonates. Restoration efforts will be most effective if directed towards actions that yield quantifiable improvements in caribou habitat quality, survival, and reproductive success. This project complements current research carried out by the foothills Research Institute Caribou Program (fRICP) within southern mountain caribou herds. The fRICP is currently investigating caribou calving habitat selection, calf and adult survival, and response to disturbance for southern mountain caribou herds. The extension of this research to include boreal caribou herds using established methods will provide valuable insight into recovery and mitigation actions in Alberta and throughout the boreal forest.

Project Objectives

In keeping with federal and provincial legislation mandating caribou recovery in Alberta, the purpose of this project is to provide guidelines and support to land managers by meeting the following objectives over one year of research:

Determine how different types of activity at well sites influence the behaviour of caribou, and assess how changes in caribou behaviour vary seasonally and across different regions (west-central Alberta vs. north-western Alberta).

Extend ongoing analyses of caribou habitat selection during calving and analyses of calf survival in relation to the proximity and density of oil and gas developments and other disturbances to include boreal caribou herds (Little Smoky and Chinchaga) in west-central and north-western Alberta.

Evaluate whether currently accepted 500m buffers on well sites and pipelines accurately reflect caribou functional habitat when considering information on well site activity and re-vegetation stage of pipelines.

Synthesize the previously listed information to provide guidelines for restoration and mitigation of disturbance features within caribou range to contribute towards caribou recovery in west-central and north-western Alberta.

Ultimately these results will provide insight into effective caribou recovery planning and actions for caribou in Alberta and across the Canadian boreal forest.

Oct-15
Project Began

The team coordinates with partners and starts collecting data

Apr-16
Year 1 Interim Report Delivered

Preliminary results delivered to partners.

Oct-16
Year 1 Report

Data analysed and report written.

May-17
Year 2 Report

The analysis was updated with year 2 data and written up.

May-17
Preliminary Results Presented

Presentation for the Canadian Society of Ecology and Evolution in Victoria, BC

Aug-17
Data Collection Complete

Field work collected from June through August.

Sep-17
Data Analysis Underway

Papers and final report in in production.

Oct-17
Project Complete

Final report delivered to partners.

Woodland Caribou Avoid Oil and Gas Wellsite Activity in Winter
Infographics | Summaries and Communications
Results from a recent Caribou Program paper.
pipelines in the snow
QuickNotes | Summaries and Communications
Summary of a recent Caribou Program paper.
Pipeline grid in snow
Scientific Publications | Peer Reviewed Papers
Paper from the Caribou Program.
Caribou and Wolf Behaviour in Relation to Oil and Gas Development
Scientific Publications | Reports
Caribou Program final report for BCOGRIS.
Scientific Publications | Reports
Caribou Program interim report prepared for BCOGRIS.
Caribou and Wolf Habitat Selection in Relation to Oil and Gas Wells: are all disturbances created equal?
Summaries and Communications | Presentation Slides
Caribou Program presentation by Doug MacNearney for the BC Oil and Gas Research and Innovation Society.
Caribou Response to Oil and Gas Activities: do regeneration and activity levels matter?
Videos | Summaries and Communications | Audio-Visual | Presentation Slides
Laura Finnegan presenting at the PTAC Ecological Issues Forum.
Seeking Sanctuary – the Neonatal Calving Period among Central Mountain Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)
Scientific Publications | Peer Reviewed Papers
Peer reviewed paper from the Caribou Program.
group caribou walking up a snowy hillside photo by doug macnearney
Blog
Ben Williamson In the foothills of west-central Alberta, the last of the snow does not melt until May. It is then that the dwindling herds of caribou begin their spring migration up into the Rocky Mountains. They leave behind a landscape rich in nutritious lichen and other delicacies but also—they hope—their predators. The timing is no accident. After a long, harsh winter in the Canadian boreal forest, the herd embarks on the climb up to their mountain refuge. Safer from wolves and far from human activity, the females give birth.
Caribou Program Making Connections at the 2016 North American Caribou Workshop
Blog
fRI Research was out in force at the 16th North American Caribou Workshop in Thunder Bay.
Caribou Program Update – December 2015
Blog
The Caribou Program has a lot going on these days: field work, data analysis, paper writing and a brand new project! Here are some of the highlights.
Blog
Caribou Program presentations from the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society conference
Doug MacNearney
Doug MacNearney
Species At Risk Habitat Biologist
Dr. Laura Finnegan
Dr. Laura Finnegan
Program Lead