Howe Landscape Unit (Rainy River) Deer Winter Range Inventory

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1 Howe Landscape Unit (Rainy River) Deer Winter Range Inventory Submitted to: John Deal, R.P.F., R.P.Bio. Canadian Forest Products Ltd. Englewood Logging Division Woss, B.C. V0N 3P0 Submitted by: Sally Leigh-Spencer, R.P.Bio. Ecologic Consulting 5632 Menzies Road Duncan, BC V9L 6G7 February 2004

2 Howe Landscape Unit Deer Winter Range Inventory Table of Contents Table of Contents.. List of Tables.. List of Figures List of Appendices. i ii ii ii 1.0 Introduction Distribution and General Winter Habitat Attributes Objectives DWR Assessment Area Methods Results Conclusions References Appendices i

3 Howe Landscape Unit Deer Winter Range Inventory List of Tables Table 1: Ranking of plots as determined by MWLAP DWR Assessment Variables and Field Ranking.. 6 List of Figures Figure 1: Location of Howe Landscape Unit 2 Figure 2: Study Area Location 3 Figure 3: Map of Transect Locations. 5 List of Appendices Appendix 1: Appendix 2: Appendix 3: Appendix 4: Sample Data Sheets Completed Data Sheets Habitat Variable Ranking System Photos of Plots ii

4 1.0 Introduction Winter is the most critical season for ungulate survival. Forage is scarce and generally of poor quality, energetic demands are high, and snow restricts ungulate movement (Nyberg and Janz 1990). High quality winter ranges, where features of topography, stand structure, and stand age combine to produce shallow snow packs, forage opportunities, and thermal shelter in the same habitat will increase ungulate over winter survival. The purpose of this project was to assess the critical winter habitat quality and optimum locations within two previously designated deer winter range (DWR) sites within the Rainy and McNab drainages. One transect was completed within the western portion of the Rainy DWR on August 15, After numerous attempts to get into the other sites, snow prevented further assessment during the timing period of this present project. 1.1 Distribution and General Winter Habitat Attributes Distribution: The Black-tailed Deer, is one of three subspecies of deer found in British Columbia. While the Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is common throughout British Columbia (except the NW and north central regions), the coastal subspecies occurs on the coast north to Rivers Inlet and on Vancouver Island (Banfield 1974). Winter Habitat Attributes: Typically Black-tailed Deer have small home ranges, migrating from high elevation or young seral stage summer ranges to warm aspect winter ranges, usually within a watershed (Nyberg and Janz 1990). McNay (1995) found that deer moved with the changing seasons and that through telemetry found that there were three distinct patterns of movement; (i) resident deer that remained close to their natal area, (ii) regular migrators that spent long periods away from their natal areas and, (iii) irregular migrators that moved away from the natal areas for shorter periods of time and less regularly. Winter forage is usually arboreal lichen (Alectoria sp., Usnea sp. and Bryoria sp.), litterfall and tall shrubs, such as huckleberry (Vaccinium sp.) species and salal (Gaultheria shallon). Critical topographic features for over-winter survival are south to southwest aspects, moderate to steep slopes (40-100%), and elevations <1000m. Small rocky outcrops are beneficial because their exposure reduces snowpack. Critical features of stand structure are a multi-layered canopy with small openings and welldeveloped snow-intercepting crowns with 65-70% crown closure. These features provide forage growth, thermal, and security cover. The stand age significant for arboreal lichen production is approximately greater than 100 years. 2.0 Objectives The objectives as outlined in the contract are to assess the previously designated deer winter ranges on the east side of the Rainy River and the east side of the McNab Creek:! to determine if the previously designated winter ranges which are suspected to be poor quality are critical for the survival of the species,! to determine the habitat quality of winter ranges where the quality is currently unknown,! to determine locations of new, potential high quality winter ranges, and 1

! to propose alterations to the existing winter range that would see no net loss of volume while protecting critical winter range for ungulates. 3.

5 ! to propose alterations to the existing winter range that would see no net loss of volume while protecting critical winter range for ungulates. 3.0 DWR Assessment Area The Rainy and McNab deer winter ranges (DWR s) are located within the Howe Landscape Unit, which is located on the west side of Howe Sound (Fig. 1). Administratively, the DWR s are situated within the Sunshine Coast Forest District (Ministry of Forests), which falls within the Central Coast planning area and the Lower Mainland Region of the provincial government (Ministries of Water, Land and Air Protection and Sustainable Resource Management). The Rainy DWR is located on the east side of the drainage with a south aspect overlooking Howe Sound and with an elevational range of 280m to 900 (Fig. 2). The McNab DWR is located on the east side of McNab Creek with an aspect ranging from SW to SE and an elevational range from 200m to 680m (Fig.2). The study areas fall within the moderate snowpack zone ( m), with cm snow persisting on average for up to 2 weeks and with critical snowpacks occurring every 5-15 years on average (Nyberg and Janz, 1990). The biogeoclimatic subzone variants represented within the DWR s are the CWHvm1 - Very Moist Maritime, submontane variant that occurs below 600 m. The climate is wet with cool summers, mild winters and a long growing season. The zonal forests of this variant are dominated with western hemlock, amabilis fir and lesser amounts of western redcedar. The shrub layer is well developed dominated by red huckleberry and Alaskan blueberry. The herbs are sparse while the moss is well developed dominated by Hylocomium splendens and Rytidiadelphus loreus (Green and Klinka, 1994). The CWHvm2 Very Moist Maritime, montane variant occurs between 600 m. and 800 m. Cooler temperatures, a shorter growing season and more snowfall differentiates this variant from the submontane. Western hemlock and amabilis fir are the dominant conifer species in the zonal forests with western redcedar, yellow cedar and mountain hemlock occurring to a lesser extent. Major understory species include Alaskan blueberry, five-leaved bramble, Hylocomium splendens, Rytidiadelphus loreus and Rhytidiopsis robusta (Green and Klinka, 1994). Figure 1: Location of Howe Landscape Unit 2

6 Figure 2: Study Area Location McNab DWR s Rainy DWR s 3

7 3.0 Methods The methodology for the assessment of the DWR s followed the methodology as outlined below (as provided within the contract). Transects: A transect is the proposed route covered by an observer which will be determined by compass bearings and elevations within the forested stand. The choice of transects locations attempts to provide an overview of the winter range capabilities of the forest. Transects will be numbered consecutively to aid photo identification. Generally transects run uphill and occur at 750 m intervals across the slope of a given polygon. UTM coordinates of the start and end points of the transects will be determined. Transect locations were located within selected winter ranges and "areas of interest". These are indicated on a map (Fig.3). Proposed transect directions are subject to change due to terrain (rock bluffs, creeks, etc.) and access problems. Plots: Plots will be established at 50 m elevation intervals or at distances on the ground of 150 m if a transect runs across slope or on relatively flat land. Each plot will be ha or 10 m in radius from the plot center. The plots will cover on average 0.01% of the polygon area. Four photos will be taken at each plot: #1 - upslope; # to right of #1; #3 - down slope; and # to left of #1. Twenty-four exposures, 400 ASA print film will be used. Habitat Variables: The following habitat variables will be measured/estimated (See Appendix II for sample tally sheets and Appendix III for ranking of habitat variables): i. Slope: Measured with a clinometer ii. Aspect: Measured with a compass. iii. Elevation: Measured with an altimeter. iv. Canopy Closure: visually estimated directly above the observer at the center of the plot. v. Lichen loading: classified as LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH in relation to prevalence in the watershed. vi. % Overstory by species: classified on the basis of estimation by species of stems visible from the center of the plot - estimated in % which totals 100. vii. % Understory by species: Estimated, by species, as the % of the ground within the plot covered by available food plants under a height of 2 m. viii. Exposure: indicated on the comments line of the plot cards ix. Deer use: shed antlers, sign, sightings, rubs and browse x. Stand Volume: from forest cover maps xi. Stand heterogeneity: presence/absence of rock bluffs, variability in canopy closure, thickets (summarized on the summary sheet) xii. Landscape factors: position in watershed, low/medium/high snowfall area, distance to other winter ranges, adjacency to high quality spring ranges, capability of adjacent stands. Mapping: Transects are recorded on 1:20,000 airphoto as closely as possible to the actual routes walked. Rainy DWR Plots One transect, with three sub transects (Fig. 3) were run in the assessment of the western portion of the Rainy DWR. Transect #1 began at 436 m elevation at a bearing of 360 from the sharp bend in the road (Br. 5211). 5 plots were established at 50m intervals. Transect #2 began at 4

642m elevation at a bearing of 260 with 2 plots established at 150m intervals. Transect #3 began at 590m elevation at a bearing of 200 with 5 plots established at 50m intervals.

8 642m elevation at a bearing of 260 with 2 plots established at 150m intervals. Transect #3 began at 590m elevation at a bearing of 200 with 5 plots established at 50m intervals. Figure 3: Map of Transect Locations 5.0 Results The western portion of the Rainy DWR was assessed on August based on 12, 10m radius plots (Appendix 2). The elevation of the transect ranged from 390m to 640m. The aspect ranged from east to south with an average slope of 75%. There were scattered rock bluffs at approximately 620m elevation. There was evidence of fire throughout the transect area with the forests dominated with 60 to 80 year old stands of western hemlock and western redcedar. These forests were just beginning to open with sparse amounts of understory emerging. There was no lichen present. Deer use was evident (trails and winter pellets) in the areas of old growth or where the forests were beginning to open and provide forage (plots 1, 2, 9 and 12). The present suitability of the site was low, however the capability of the area is moderate to high. 5

9 Table 1: Ranking of plots as determined by MWLAP DWR Assessment Variables and Field Ranking Transect/Plot MWLAP Ranking Field Ranking (Suitability) (Capability) 1-1 M M 1-2 M M 1-3 L M 1-4 L M 1-5 L M 2-6 L H 2-7 L H 3-8 L H 3-9 M H 3-10 L H 3-11 L M 3-12 M M 6.0 Conclusions Based on the results of the assessment the western portion of the Rainy DWR has low deer winter range suitability, however the capability of the site is moderate to high. The present forests within this portion of the winter range are dominated with closed canopy fire dominated western hemlock stands. In areas where fire did not remove the old growth or where the canopy is beginning to open, forage species are present within the understory. Winter deer use in these sites was evident. There are a series of rock bluffs at approximately 600m elevation that provide security vantage points and favorable thermal sites. Once this portion of the area is either mechanically or naturally thinned the winter range attributes will be favorable for retaining this portion of the Rainy DWR as critical winter range. 6

10 7.0 References Banfield, A. W. F Mammals of Canada. Re-printed in National Museum of Natural Sciences, University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario. Green, R.N. and K. Klinka A Field Guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region. Ministry of Forests, Research Branch, BC. McNay, R.S The ecology of movements made by Columbian black-tailed deer. Univ. B.C., Vancouver, B.C. PhD thesis. 194 pp. Ministry of Forests (MOF) and Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Confirmation and Establishment of Ungulate Winter Ranges Previously Included in Timber Supply Reviews. Nuszdorfer, F.C. (compiler) Biogeoclimatic units of the Vancouver Forest Region. 1:250,000 series. B.C. Minist. Forests, Research Branch, Victoria, B.C. map. Nyberg, J.B. and D.W. Janz, technical eds Deer and Elk habitats in coastal forests of southern British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Special Report Series 5, Research Branch, Victoria, British Columbia. Resource Inventory Committee (RIC) Rochelle, J.A Mature forests, litterfall and patterns of forage quality as factors in the nutrition of black-tailed deer on northern Vancouver Island. Ph.D. Thesis. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Stevenson, S.K Enhancing the establishment and growth of arboreal forage lichens in intensely managed forests. B.C. Min. Envirn. And Min. For., Victoria, B.C. IWIFR-26. 7

11 APPENDIX 1 SAMPLE DATA SHEETS

12 AREA: STAND ID: DATE: OBSERVER(S): TRANSECT # PLOT # PHOTO # S SLOPE (%) ASPECT ELEV. (m) CC (%) SNOW (cm) LICHEN (L/M/H) OVERSTORY SPECIES AND % COMPOSITION UNDERSTORY SPECIES AND % GROUND COVER COMMENTS Canadian Forest Products Ltd. January 2004

13 DEER WINTER RANGE ASSESSMENT - SUMMARY SHEET Watershed/General Area: Mapsheet Reference: Stand Id#: Date(s) Assessed: Snow Conditions at Assessment: Observer(s): # Plots Measured: Average Slope: Average Aspect: Elevation Range (m): Rock Bluffs (absent, few, several, many/dist n): OVERSTORY Species/%Composition: Average Canopy Closure: Average Lichen Load: Comments (volume, stand patchiness, etc.): UNDERSTORY Species/Av. Gnd. Cover Comments: Deer Sign (pellet groups, tracks, trails, sightings, beds, rubs, shed antlers, etc.): Additional Comments (suitability as winter range, description of adjacent stands, distance to other winter ranges, etc.):

14 APPENDIX 2 COMPLETED DATA SHEETS Canadian Forest Products Ltd. January 2004

17 APPENDIX 3 HABITAT VARIABLE RANKING SYSTEM

18 DEER WINTER RANGE (DWR) ASSESSMENT VARIABLES VARIABLE VALUE RANK COMMENTS % SLOPE <40; >100 LOW Moderate to steep slopes preferred 40-50; MOD HIGH ASPECT NW-NE; flat LOW Generally south aspect slopes preferred; west better than east NE-SSE; WSW-NW MOD SSE-WSW HIGH ELEVATION (m) >1200 LOW <700; MOD HIGH OVERSTORY COMPOSITION LOW HIGH LOW Non-italicized=Relative to amounts of Douglas-fir within watershed MOD MOD MOD Italicized=Relative to amounts of cedar (red or yellow) within watershed HIGH LOW HIGH STAND VOLUME LOW LOW Relative to average stand volumes within the watershed MOD MOD HIGH HIGH % CANOPY CLOSURE <50; >90 LOW 50-60; MOD HIGH LICHEN LOAD LOW LOW Relative to amounts within the watershed MOD MOD HIGH HIGH UNDERSTORY COMPOSITION LOW LOW Relative amounts of Vaccinium, salal, Douglas-fir and western redcedar MOD MOD to other sites within the watershed HIGH HIGH UNDERSTORY ABUNDANCE LOW LOW Relative to amounts within the watershed MOD MOD HIGH HIGH OTHER FACTORS: The following factors are non-quantitative and yet can strongly influence the overall ability of an area to satisfy DWR requirements EXPOSURE The amount of shading from adjacent hillsides is a critical factor influencing winter range suitability (the more shaded, the less valuable the area). HETEROGENEITY Topographic heterogeneity ("benchiness") is preferable to a uniform slope. Overstory heterogeneity (variations in canopy closure) provides enhanced forage production and thickets for hiding in open canopy areas, and greater snow interception in areas of more closed canopy. ROCK BLUFFS Rock bluffs provide topographic security cover (vantage points), favourable thermal conditions on sunny days, and areas that lose snow more readily during snow ablation periods. RELATIVE DEER USE Pellet groups, tracks, trails, sightings, beds, rubs and shed antlers all indicate relative amounts of use. Shed antlers conclusively indicate winter use; rubs indicate late summer or fall use. Current deer population levels in the area need to be known before the relative level of use can be determined (i.e. what is heavy use during a period of low deer population levels may only be considered moderate or low use during high deer density periods). LANDSCAPE FACTORS Important landscape level considerations affecting the relative value of an area as a deer winter range include its position in the watershed (low, mod, or high snowfall area - DWR more critical in areas of higher snowfall); distance to other winter ranges (greater distances between winter ranges increases their individual importance); adjacency to high quality spring and summer range; and the capability of adjacent stands to satisfy deer habitat requirements.

19 APPENDIX 4 PHOTOS OF PLOTS