Abstract

Habitat Impact Analysis for Mountain Caribou Recovery in British Columbia
Track: Forestry and Wildlife Management
Authors: Eric Valdal

Strategic level GIS habitat analysis played an integral role in the British Columbia Government's decision to protect mountain caribou habitat. This presentation will provide an overview of the challenges and success of the habitat impact analysis portion of the BC Species at Risk Coordination Office (SaRCO) mountain caribou recovery process. The focus of the impact analysis was to evaluate the impact of incremental habitat protection to the forest industry within the 14 million hectare (34.5 million acre) recovery area. All habitat analyses were strategic in nature and included both quantitative and qualitative methods that were intended to provide a baseline for SaRCO led stakeholder discussions and government decision makers.