An Economic Evaluation of Woodland Caribou Conservation Programs in Northwestern Saskatchewan

The purpose of this study was to identify the values Saskatchewan residents place on their Woodland Caribou conservation programs. Using contingent valuation methods, individual values for maintaining caribou numbers within Millar Western-NorSask Forest Management Licence agreement area were estimated. Using these value estimates, societal benefits were estimated for the implementation of a woodland caribou maintenance program within the forest licence agreement area. The data used in this study were collected using a mailout survey to Saskatchewan residents. Two contingent valuation formats were used, the opened ended willingness to pay and the dichotomous choice. A number of question structures were employed in order to judge the sensitivity of the valuation to the design. In all, 9 different versions of the contingent valuation question were used in a randomized design strategy. The resulting welfare measures for the implementation of the caribou maintenance program were somewhat variable. The open ended format produced the lowest estimates, while the dichotomous choice estimates were higher and showed a higher degree of variability. This variability may be due to the presence of the ordering or whole-part effects. The values elicited for the conservation program using the open ended approach average approximately $15.00 per person per year. These values, when aggregated over the provincial population, result in an annual benefit of the woodland caribou conservation program of about$10M. These are the most conservative of the estimates, suggesting that woodland caribou conservation is very important to Saskatchewan residents.Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

ASSESSING IMPACTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLE: AN ECONOMIC EXAMINATION OF SUBSISTENCE RESOURCE USE AND VALUE

The report describes the research design, data collection and preliminary analysis of an economic assessment of non-timber resource use by Aboriginal People in Northwest Saskatchewan. The project is designed to develop methods of valuing resource use by Aboriginal People so that these values can be incorporated into forest resource management decisions and to evaluate the impact of forest management actions on the economic well-being of Aboriginal People living in the region. Data on non-timber resource use are collected and spatially explicit economic models are developed in order to construct estimates of behavioral change and value associated with changes in the environment and landscape (through forestry, access, or other landscape changes).Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

MEASURING FOREST RESOURCE VALUES: AN ASSESSMENT OF CHOICE EXPERIMENTS AND PREFERENCE CONSTRUCTION METHODS AS PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TOOLS

Human values arising from forests include market and non-market values. Timber values and values of non-timber forest products traded in markets (berries, wild rice, etc.) are considered market values. Among non-market values are recreation values and values associated with wildlife harvesting by Aboriginal People. These are considered non-market because participation in these activities does not require the purchase of market based permits; prices do not function as rationing devices in these activities. In addition to non-market values arising from activities, individuals may also have values associated with forest conditions (biodiversity, etc.). These are referred to as passive use values since the value is not associated with any specific use of the resource or activity related to the forest. Since forests in Canada are largely on public land, these passive use values are particularly relevant to Canadian forest management. These values reveal the preferences of the public for components of forest management. Eliciting these values is a form of public involvement in that the public is engaged in assessing forest management options and providing opinions and sentiments regarding these options. Ideally, values arising from forests would be collected from a broad range of the public and examined to provide guidance to forest managers. However, values over forest outputs and conditions may be very poorly formed when people have little experience with the range and complexity of forest ecology and management. In addition, eliciting values without framing them in a trade-off setting can result in misleading estimates. In this project we attempt to elicit passive use values in a manner that allows for poorly defined initial notions of value through an approach known as preference construction. Preference construction essentially provides for education and information processing in the development of passive use values. These estimates are also developed using a trade-off approach (choice experiments). The project focuses on the values of the local public within the NorSask forest. More formally, the objectives of this research are to: 1) ascertain the passive use values held by local people associated with forests in the NorSask Forest Management License Area; 2) explore differences in preferences based on the degree and frequency of formal preference construction exercises; and 3) evaluate this approach as a method of public involvement. A total of 43 individuals from the local community were involved in the valuation exercise. They participated in 3 groups or treatments, each with a different level of involvement in the valuation assessment. The first group was involved in three separate sessions, allowing for significant preference construction and information acquisition. The second group was involved in only one session and the third group was involved only minimally through a telephone contact and the completion of a survey delivered through the mail. The hypothesis being examined was that the degree of involvement in the exercise would affect the responses either in terms of the variances of the responses or the actual preferences. Not all forest values can be examined in a single valuation task. In this case values associated with key game species (moose), wildlife species reflecting biodiversity or threatened species (caribou), old age classes of forest, protected areas and local employment were assessed. These were selected based on the preference construction sessions with the first group. A general trend was found in the ranking of forest values. The values were highest for increases in older forest age classes and protected areas and lower for caribou and moose levels (expressed in percentage changes relative to current levels). The lowest value arose from the local jobs generated by forestry activity. Monetary measures of these values were also developed. The scenario choices made by the individuals revealed that a 5% increase in moose and caribou populations would be worth approximately $10 and$12 per year. A 5% increases in old age classes or protected areas was worth approximately 4 to 5 times as much. They were willing to pay approximately $7 per year in increased taxes for increases in local employment. The hypothesis that the group preferences would differ was not accepted. The preferences of the first and third groups, while expected to be very different, were in fact quite similar. The second group did appear to be different from these other two but it is possible that significant variation in demographic characteristics was driving that difference, rather than the level of preference construction effort. The sample in the third group did however exhibit more resistance to completing the exercise and registered more protests to the value assessment. In conclusion, the approach employed was successful in eliciting passive use values for components of forest management. These values alone provide interesting information for managers to consider in the development of management plans. Evidence supporting the hypothesis that preference construction approaches improve these valuation exercises was not found in this study although this result must be tempered by the limitations arising from sample size and demographic composition of the study groups.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Scientific Review for the Identification of Critical Habitat for Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population, in Canada

Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population (herein referred to as boreal caribou), are formally listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). The Act requires the Minister of Environment to prepare a Recovery Strategy for the species that includes, to the extent possible and based upon the best available information, an identifi cation of its Critical Habitat and/or, if there is insuffi cient information available, a Schedule of Studies to determine that information. In August 2007, Environment Canada (EC) launched a science-based review with the mandate to identify Critical Habitat to the extent possible, using the best available science and/or prepare a Schedule of Studies

Monitoring landscape and spatial behavioural outcomes of large scale forest management for boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in upland and lowland forests of Ontario, Canada

Habitat management is a key tool used to support species conservation and sustainable timber harvest on managed forests; however assessments of long-term management outcomes are rare. My study is a qualitative assessment of the outcomes of over 15 years of large scale forest management for boreal caribou in two unique Ontario, Canada landscapes: the northwestern Boreal Shield and the northeastern James Bay Lowlands. I assessed: (1) the realized outcomes of forest management direction with respect to the landscape scale structure and configuration of caribou habitat and harvested areas, and (2) changes in caribou spatial behaviour in response to forest management. I found patterns opposite to those predicted based on management recommendations in terms of harvest configuration and size, and observed no detectable changes in caribou habitat continuity or area that could be related to management application. Similarly, I observed behavioural patterns suggestive of maladaptive behavioural response to management outcomes, which could be potentially detrimental to caribou population viability. Overall, these results suggest that further investigation into the management of habitat for boreal caribou in Ontario is required. Moreover, these results highlight the importance of long-term monitoring for management practices in order to ensure management success.Master of Science (MSc) in Biolog

Model forest profiles, 2005

Library has Spanish version: Perfiles de bosques modelo, 2005Also part of idrc_number 126403The 34 model forests profiled in this document represent the majority of the IMFN membership as it stood in 2005. They were created as posters for the November 2005 IMFN Global Forum, which was sponsored by the IMFN Secretariat and hosted by CATIE, headquarters of the IMFN's Regional Model Forest Network for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC-Net). In preparation for the 2005 IMFN Global Forum each model forest was asked to take two of five possible themes—governance, sustainable economic development, science and best practices, knowledge generation, capacity-building and networking—to highlight areas of particular focus and success for the model forest. In addition to cataloguing important successes in these sites, the exercise registered two other important points: first, that sustainable forest management is not a developed developing country issue—these themes represent challenges across all landscapes. Working together through the International Model Forest Network, we can accelerate innovation and progress in addressing these shared challenges. And second, they showed that broad, locally-based partnerships are a very powerful tool, not only for finding solutions, but in putting them into practice

Ecological implications of the 18th and 19th century fur trade: a study of five HBC post's accounts

This research critically addresses the ecological implications of the 18th and 19th Century fur trade and whether primary source material written and maintained by European fur traders can measure resource procurement changes through a diverse geographic area over a 62 year period. The study utilizes Hudson Bay Company post journals from five posts selected from three different ecological zones situated along a primary transportation route in north-central Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The study was divided into four periods reflecting different intensity levels regarding resource use. The research challenges the previously held assumptions that over harvest resulted in resource collapse and resulting hardships

LINKING HABITAT, POPULATIONS AND POLICY FOR CARIBOU IN THE FACE OF INCREASING DISTURBANCE

In North America’s boreal forest, wildfire has long been the dominant form of natural disturbance. However, the human footprint in the region is steadily growing. Large-scale forest harvest and energy development have fragmented late-successional forests, leading to habitat loss for species such as caribou (Rangifer tarandus) that rely on these ecological communities. Caribou have experienced widespread population declines and local extirpation throughout the western boreal forest in recent decades. I first analyzed caribou resource selection responses to fires in \u3e685 female caribou across 15 populations that span a wide gradient of fire frequency but are exposed to relatively little human disturbance. Caribou generally avoided burned areas, but season, burn severity and time since fire affected the magnitude of avoidance. Consistent avoidance of burns in winter and avoidance of high severity burns across the range of burn availability suggested that future increases in fire frequency and severity will lead to habitat loss for caribou. Disturbance-caused habitat loss (whether direct or indirect) does not necessarily translate to negative demographic effects. My second set of analyses linked disturbances to caribou behavior and demography throughout western Canada by relating resource selection responses to vital rates. I found a strong negative relationship between human disturbance footprint and calf recruitment. I also found evidence of adaptive resource selection, where increased road avoidance in summer predicted higher recruitment. Increased road avoidance by caribou in winter decreased mortality hazard in adult females, but disturbance and behavior were less predictive of adult female survival than of recruitment. Many of the most imperiled caribou populations live in mountainous areas in British Columbia, where extensive forestry and energy development have facilitated increased predation on caribou. Southern mountain caribou are listed as Threatened under Canada’s federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), yet critical habitat identified under the law provides incomplete protection for southern mountain caribou. My spatial analysis showed that nearly 1,000 square kilometers of critical habitat were logged in the five years following its legal identification under SARA. Halting or reversing caribou population declines requires innovative, multi-pronged policy efforts combining short-term efforts to reduce predation with long-term habitat restoration

A ONE HEALTH APPROACH TO ECHINOCOCCUS CANADENSIS AND OTHER PARASITIC ZOONOSES IN REMOTE, RURAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

In Canada, parasitism in people and well-managed animal populations is less common now than a century ago, likely due to accessible anthelmintics, heightened public awareness, and improved sanitation. Some zoonotic parasites, such as Echinococcus canadensis are now rarely diagnosed in people, but persist mainly in northern populations where diagnostic services are limited. Veterinary services are also limited in these areas, and as a result, human and animal incidence data does not exist, is outdated, or underestimates the true incidence. We closed this knowledge gap in certain areas of western Canada by determining the prevalence of E. canadensis and other zoonotic parasites in wildlife (wolves [Canis lupus] and ungulates; Chapters 2 and 3), domestic dogs (Canis familiaris; Chapters 4 and 5), and people (Chapters 6-8). Using a One Health framework, we also explored parasite control practices and potential policy solutions for rural and remote communities (Chapters 8 and 9). During post-mortem examination, we observed E. canadensis in approximately 11% (11/105) of elk [Cervus canadensis], and 21% (34/165) of wolves. Our examination of historical post-mortem reports of ungulates demonstrated that E. canadensis is distributed throughout Canada, except for the high Arctic islands, the Maritime provinces, and the island of Newfoundland. Our analysis of dog feces collected throughout Saskatchewan suggested that patent taeniid (Taenia or Echinococcus spp.) infection was rare (0-4%), and that rural and northern dogs had higher endoparasitism than urban dogs. Sero-surveillance for four zoonoses (E. canadensis, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella, and Toxocara canis) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated similar results - that people in northern SK (65% of 201) had higher exposure to one or more parasites than those in southern SK (12% of 113). Using patient health records, we reported annual incidence rates for clinical illness for the following zoonotic parasites: echinococcosis – 1.4/1 000 000; toxoplasmosis- 1.7/1 000 000; and toxocariasis-0.06/1 000 000. In the final chapter we compared the cost of treating human echinococcosis cases with a prevention program based on dosing dogs with praziquantel at 6 week intervals in the Kelsey Trail region, where human incidence is highest. Based on direct healthcare costs, such a program is not currently cost saving, but could become so if echinococcosis incidence increased. Preventative programs should be considered for high risk communities, which are often economically marginalized and lack appropriate resources to effectively control zoonotic parasitism. Putting One Health into action may require integrated human-animal healthcare services, introduction of community-based animal health workers, and increased transdisciplinary research to improve access to and uptake of preventative healthcare services for parasitic zoonoses in northern and remote communities

Prehistoric exploitation of wetland habitats in North American boreal Forests

The thesis begins with an overview of hunter-gatherers from an historical perspective and insights from the ethnographic and ethno-ecological literature. Then the prehistoric cultural sequence of the northern boreal forest is examined against the environmental contexts of the research area, specifically a number of Initial Woodland through Terminal Woodland archaeological sites in Northwestern Ontario. Faunal data from the study sites, along with published data from other archaeological sites in NE Ontario and observations from the ethnographic literature, contribute to this section. Analysis and interpretation includes the logistics of site location and observations on possible indications of fire in prehistoric sites from NW Ontario. The faunal data from these sites is in microfiche in the Appendix A. Within the context of TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) and WSK (Western Scientific Knowledge), fieldwork in modern boreal environments, undertaken in Saskatchewan in 1995, is reported. The assessment of sites follows from their initial selection from infra-red satellite images to their ground-based examination. Soil development, fire history of several areas and observations on fire regimes are explored. The character of patchwork habitat development, and the place of fire regimes and beaver colonisation in this development, are examined. Taphonomic losses at various ecological and cultural levels (Taphonomies I-IV) are considered in the context of theoretical constructs, leading to an interpretative model. Habitat utilisation by prehistoric Northern Boreal forest hunter-gatherers is considered in the final chapter. The role of Beaver as 'keystone species' and the nature of interlinked resources are explored. Fire regimes, and the subsequent development of first stage regrowth patterns as integral parts of the economic system, leads to a model for the management of resources by prehistoric boreal hunters-gatherers. The philosophical implications for the interpretation of hunter-gatherers as effective shapers of an exploited landscape, along with the problematic areas in the research, are outlined in the concluding part of the work