Recent studies of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northern Quebec and central Lab... more Recent studies of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northern Quebec and central Labrador have demonstrated similar patterns of seasonal movements and distribution among four herds. Aerial surveys and radio-telemetry indicated that animals occupied forest-wetland habitat at densities of 0.03 caribou km2, or lower, for most of the year. Although females were widely dispersed at calving individuals demonstrated fidelity toward specific calving locations, in successive years. Caribou did not form large post-calving aggregations. Movement was greatest in the spring, prior to calving, and in the fall, during or immediately after rutting. Caribou were generally sedentary during summer and winter, although some moved relatively long distances to late-winter range. Although the herds occupy continuous range across Quebec and Labrador, our data indicate that the herds are largely discreete and should be managed individually.
Abstract: Among ungulate species living in boreal regions, moose (Alces alces) are most likely to... more Abstract: Among ungulate species living in boreal regions, moose (Alces alces) are most likely to suffer from heat stress since they have a relatively low upper critical temperature (14 °C in summer and -5 °C in winter). We tested the hypothesis that moose adopt behaviours to reduce thermoregulatory costs. We predicted that moose exposed to high intensities of solar radiation or high air temperatures would 1) seek a type of vegetation association that provides thermal shelter and 2) reduce activity. We also predicted that these behaviours would be most evident in summer. Thermal-shelter use and activity of 30 free-ranging moose were measured over 3 y in a 940-km2 study area of boreal forest using GPS telemetry collars. The effect of solar radiation and air temperature on thermal-shelter use and activity were assessed using logistic and multiple regression analyses. Habitat use and activity rates of moose were related to air temperature but not solar radiation. The probability of finding moose in thermal shelters increased with air temperature in summer and fall. Moose activity did not decrease as air temperature increased, but it increased at night during hot periods. As expected, moose response to thermal conditions was most noted in summer. Our results suggest that moose reduce exposure to thermal stress by using thermal shelters during the day and by increasing nocturnal activity. These behavioural adaptations allow moose to cope with thermal stress on a small temporal scale. Negative effects of heat stress could be important in areas where air temperatures are very high for extended periods of time or where thermal cover is scarce.
Few studies have examined the influence of distribution of vegetation types at the landscape leve... more Few studies have examined the influence of distribution of vegetation types at the landscape level on movement of bears in and around a protected area. We analyzed movement and spatial use patterns of 19 adult female black bears (Ursus americanus) in relation to distribution of vegetation types in and near La Mauricie National Park (LMNP), Quebec, Canada, between July 1990 and December 1992. The home range of radiotracked females included a core area of 11.6 km 2 in 1991 (n = 9) and 13.3 km 2 (n = 14) in 1992. The proportion of locations in this core area was correlated (P < 0.050) with the availability of early-successional stands and maple-beech forests that provide 2 important food sources for bears (i.e., soft mast, beechnuts). In 1991-92, bears were located more often (P < 0.050) inside the park between late April and mid-July than during the period of soft-mast ripening between mid-July and mid-September. The declining use of the park during the period of soft-mast ripening was caused by the low occurrence of early-successional stands inside the park, and increased the vulnerability of female black bears to human-related mortality. This vulnerability would probably decrease if early-successional stands were maintained inside the park, and if a surrounding buffer zone was established. In this buffer zone, agriculture and residential developments should be prohibited, and hunting should be restricted to the spring period.
... Nitrogen content was deter-mined with an automated macro-Kjeldahl an-alyzer (Kjell-Foss, mode... more ... Nitrogen content was deter-mined with an automated macro-Kjeldahl an-alyzer (Kjell-Foss, model 16210) following the Association of Official Analytical Chemists&#x27; (1984:154) method. ... Bulrush rhizomes were collected at Cap-St-Ig-nace along the St. ...
1 Changes in demography and studies on physical condition of the Riviere George caribou Rangifer ... more 1 Changes in demography and studies on physical condition of the Riviere George caribou Rangifer tarandus herd have suggested that its size may be primarily regulated by the amount of forage available on the summer range. 2 We therefore document the impact of grazing and ...
Recent studies of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northern Quebec and central Lab... more Recent studies of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northern Quebec and central Labrador have demonstrated similar patterns of seasonal movements and distribution among four herds. Aerial surveys and radio-telemetry indicated that animals occupied forest-wetland habitat at densities of 0.03 caribou km2, or lower, for most of the year. Although females were widely dispersed at calving individuals demonstrated fidelity toward specific calving locations, in successive years. Caribou did not form large post-calving aggregations. Movement was greatest in the spring, prior to calving, and in the fall, during or immediately after rutting. Caribou were generally sedentary during summer and winter, although some moved relatively long distances to late-winter range. Although the herds occupy continuous range across Quebec and Labrador, our data indicate that the herds are largely discreete and should be managed individually.
Abstract: Among ungulate species living in boreal regions, moose (Alces alces) are most likely to... more Abstract: Among ungulate species living in boreal regions, moose (Alces alces) are most likely to suffer from heat stress since they have a relatively low upper critical temperature (14 °C in summer and -5 °C in winter). We tested the hypothesis that moose adopt behaviours to reduce thermoregulatory costs. We predicted that moose exposed to high intensities of solar radiation or high air temperatures would 1) seek a type of vegetation association that provides thermal shelter and 2) reduce activity. We also predicted that these behaviours would be most evident in summer. Thermal-shelter use and activity of 30 free-ranging moose were measured over 3 y in a 940-km2 study area of boreal forest using GPS telemetry collars. The effect of solar radiation and air temperature on thermal-shelter use and activity were assessed using logistic and multiple regression analyses. Habitat use and activity rates of moose were related to air temperature but not solar radiation. The probability of finding moose in thermal shelters increased with air temperature in summer and fall. Moose activity did not decrease as air temperature increased, but it increased at night during hot periods. As expected, moose response to thermal conditions was most noted in summer. Our results suggest that moose reduce exposure to thermal stress by using thermal shelters during the day and by increasing nocturnal activity. These behavioural adaptations allow moose to cope with thermal stress on a small temporal scale. Negative effects of heat stress could be important in areas where air temperatures are very high for extended periods of time or where thermal cover is scarce.
Few studies have examined the influence of distribution of vegetation types at the landscape leve... more Few studies have examined the influence of distribution of vegetation types at the landscape level on movement of bears in and around a protected area. We analyzed movement and spatial use patterns of 19 adult female black bears (Ursus americanus) in relation to distribution of vegetation types in and near La Mauricie National Park (LMNP), Quebec, Canada, between July 1990 and December 1992. The home range of radiotracked females included a core area of 11.6 km 2 in 1991 (n = 9) and 13.3 km 2 (n = 14) in 1992. The proportion of locations in this core area was correlated (P < 0.050) with the availability of early-successional stands and maple-beech forests that provide 2 important food sources for bears (i.e., soft mast, beechnuts). In 1991-92, bears were located more often (P < 0.050) inside the park between late April and mid-July than during the period of soft-mast ripening between mid-July and mid-September. The declining use of the park during the period of soft-mast ripening was caused by the low occurrence of early-successional stands inside the park, and increased the vulnerability of female black bears to human-related mortality. This vulnerability would probably decrease if early-successional stands were maintained inside the park, and if a surrounding buffer zone was established. In this buffer zone, agriculture and residential developments should be prohibited, and hunting should be restricted to the spring period.
... Nitrogen content was deter-mined with an automated macro-Kjeldahl an-alyzer (Kjell-Foss, mode... more ... Nitrogen content was deter-mined with an automated macro-Kjeldahl an-alyzer (Kjell-Foss, model 16210) following the Association of Official Analytical Chemists&#x27; (1984:154) method. ... Bulrush rhizomes were collected at Cap-St-Ig-nace along the St. ...
1 Changes in demography and studies on physical condition of the Riviere George caribou Rangifer ... more 1 Changes in demography and studies on physical condition of the Riviere George caribou Rangifer tarandus herd have suggested that its size may be primarily regulated by the amount of forage available on the summer range. 2 We therefore document the impact of grazing and ...
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Papers by Jean Huot