@mastersthesis {41971,
	title = {Effects of industrial development on the predator-prey relationship between wolves and caribou in northeastern Alberta},
	volume = {Biological Sciences},
	year = {1999},
	pages = {70},
	address = {University of Alberta},
	abstract = {In northeastern Alberta, continued expansion of the oil and gas industry and timber harvesting has raised concerns that the resulting environmental changes may negatively affect the woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou ) population in this region. Caribou are an endangered species in Alberta, and populations in northeastern Alberta appear to be stable or slightly decreasing. Between 1993 and 1997, I studied two ways in which industrial development may potentially affect caribou populations by influencing their predator-prey relationship with wolves ( Canis lupus ). (1) The spatial distribution of caribou in relation to alternative prey (commonly moose, Alces alces ) has been to affect the level of wolf predation experienced by caribou populations. I found that selection of fen/bog complexes by caribou and selection of well-drained habitats by moose and wolves resulted in spatial separation. The spatial separation of caribou and moose reduced predation pressure on caribou, but did not provide a total refuge from wolves. Timber harvesting is expected to change the distribution and abundance of moose and may result in increased predation rates on caribou even if increases in, moose density do not occur within the fen/bog complexes selected by caribou. (2) The development of linear corridors (seismic lines, etc) has been to increase predation pressure on caribou. Of 98 radio-collared caribou, 35 were significantly further from corridors than were random points and 3 were significantly closer to corridors than were random points. Within caribou range, wolf locations were closer to linear corridors than were random points. Caribou mortalities attributed to wolf predation were closer to linear corridors than were live locations from all caribou, indicating that caribou that were close, to linear corridors were at higher risk of being killed by wolves. I found that in winter, the average speed of wolves traveling on corridors (1.4km/hr) was 2.8 times faster than the average speed of travel in the forest (0.5km/hr). I believe increased industrial activity in and near caribou range could have a significant effect on caribou population dynamics by increasing predation. In this thesis I discuss the management implications of these results and provide some recommendations.},
	keywords = {Canidae, Cervidae, Mammalia},
	url = {http://search.proquest.com/docview/304545769},
	author = {James, Adam Ross Cochrane}
}
