Coast Forest Region Roosevelt Elk Wildlife Habitat Decision Aid

Abstract

To conserve and maintain suitable elk winter range, forest companies are required to manage their road building, timber cutting, and other forestry activities. Regeneration and free-growing obligations must also be met when harvesting these areas. Harvesting and silvicultural strategies have significant effects on the incidence of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) in an area and the damage elk inflict when browsing on regenerating trees. This Wildlife Habitat Decision Aid (WHDA) summarizes the information that forest managers, including silviculture planners and operational foresters, need to consider when managing for Roosevelt elk seasonal habitat requirements and conifer regeneration. This information was obtained through an extensive literature analysis and discussions with several foresters and researchers familiar with Roosevelt elk in the (Vancouver) Coast Forest Region.

The WHDA format has been used to extend information on the factors requiring consideration when managing forests in British Columbia. The first page of this WHDA provides information on habitat and important features of Roosevelt elk winter range, biogeoclimatic zones where elk are located, risks to consider when harvesting in Roosevelt elk range, and silvicultural risks and considerations. A map depicts the distribution of elk in the Coast Forest Region. The second page continues the discussion of silvicultural risks and considerations, and presents potential growth and yield implications associated with Roosevelt elk browse. Also included is a valuable resource and reference list that contains more detailed information. Most reference material that is not available on-line can be ordered through libraries or the Queen's Printer at: www.qp.gov.bc.ca.