| Conservation of Black Huckleberry: A Critical Wildlife Food Source in B.C. |
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| Investigators |
| Peter Corbett, R.P.Bio, Mirkwood Ecological Consultants Ltd.
Dr. Bruce McLellan, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Research Branch
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What is the Issue? |
| LOSS OF FOOD SOURCE FOR WILDLIFE |
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Black huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) grows in the rugged high mountain country of southeastern British Columbia. It is a critical food source for grizzly bears, smaller mammals and migratory birds. In fact, huckleberry is one of the only foods in the grizzly's diet that results in critical weight gain before winter hibernation. Commercial logging activity has expanded into the huckleberry' habitat, and its effect on black huckleberries is uncertain. This research is studying the factors associated with huckleberry growth and distribution. These scientists are creating a plan to help forest managers protect key black huckleberry habitat and provide opportunities for the plant's reproductive enhancement through forest management activities.
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What is our goal? |
| EXPLORING THE ECOLOGY OF A CRITICAL WILDLIFE FOOD SOURCE.
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| Conservation of Black Huckleberry: a critical food source for wildlife in British Columbia's high country. |
Where we currently stand. |
| Using the data collected for the Biogeoclimatic Classification System for BC and the Ecological Land Classification for the Canadian National Parks, a cursory model is being developed to identify the site characteristics associated with huckleberry. Rigorous statistical analyses have revealed a number of relationships that will be employed to create the predictive models used to develop inventory maps for the distribution of huckleberry. The most obvious relationship occurs between the pH of the mineral soil and huckleberry cover, and supports the relationship between lower pH and the occurrence of Vaccinium spp. There is also an obvious relationship between increasing elevation and a greater abundance of huckleberry cover. Further analysis is ongoing. The model should be completed by the end of March with cursory inventory maps being developed at that time. Refinement of the model and the initiation of research into berry production and disturbance response are planned for the future.
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You can help this project - find out how. |
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