McGill University
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Murray Humphries
Vincent Brodeur, MELCCFP
Start: 2023-09-01
End: 2025-08-31
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Project

Cow Moose Calving Timing, Space Use and Habitat Selection During the Calving Season In Eeyou Istchee, Northern Quebec
Natural and Anthropogenic disturbances have huge influences on different ecosystems, including boreal forests. In the Cree territory of Eeyou Istchee, moose is a key subsistence species and impacts of forestry-related and natural disturbances on moose behaviour are of concern. GPS-collars are being used to describe fine-scale calving behaviours, including date-of-calving, space use and habitat selection. Different movement-based analysis use specific moose calving movement patterns to reveal dates-of-calving. Minimum convex polygons and kernel density estimations depict home ranges and describe space use. Habitat selection analysis using resource selection functions help identify chosen habitats seven days after parturition, specifically habitat type, distance from water and roads, time since disturbance and topography. Results will reveal moose calving behaviour and will inform forestry practices and wildlife management.