INTRODUCTION
The Itcha-Ilgachuz caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) population winters in low elevation forested habitat east of the Itcha Mountains, and in high elevation subalpine habitat in the Ilgachuz Mountains. On the low elevation winter range, caribou select
mature lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests and forage primarily by cratering through the snow to obtain terrestrial lichens (Cichowski 1993). The recent mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreak has affected a large part of the Itcha-Ilgachuz caribou low elevation winter range. Preliminary results suggest that terrestrial forage lichen abundance has declined in the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou winter range with a corresponding increase in kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) (Williston et al. 2006). This study was initiated in the Quesnel TSA in the northeastern most portion of the Itcha-Ilgachuz caribou winter range, to compliment lichen studies already being conducted in the southern and central portion of their winter range (Miege et al. 2001a, 2001b).
The objective of this project is to establish permanent sampling sites in the Modified Harvest portion of the Itcha-Ilgachuz caribou winter range in the Quesnel TSA to monitor changes in terrestrial forage lichen abundance in response to the
current mountain pine beetle epidemic.
In Year 1 (2005/06), we established 6 sites (Sites 1 to 6) and a portion of one site (Site 7). In Year 2 (2006/07) we established 3 new sites (Sites 8 to 10) and completed Site 7. We also revisited each plot established in 2005/06 to re-photograph the plot, re-measure vegetation cover, update tree status, and take a hemispherical canopy photo.
