Historical changes and current distribution of Caribou, Rangifer tarandus, in Quebec

We examined published historical information, reports on aerial surveys conducted since 1953, and harvest data collected since 1971 to describe changes in the distribution and abundance of Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Quebec. The southern limit of the Caribou distribution diminished considerably in the late 19(th) century, and the decline in numbers probably continued until the 1960s and 1970s east of the 62(nd) meridian. South of the 49(th) parallel, only four small populations still persist. Despite the fact that all Caribou of the province were assigned to the same sub-species (R. t. caribou), three ecotypes with specific habitats and behaviour are found. The Barren-Ground ecotype, the only migratory form, is found north of the 52(nd) parallel. This ecotype currently occupies approximate to 255 000 km(2) in fall and winter, mainly in the ecological subzones of the forest tundra and the taiga. The Barren-Ground Caribou was characterized by a very low abundance from the end of the 19(th) century until the mid-1950s, but increased markedly thereafter reaching over a million individuals at the beginning of the 1990s. Populations of the Mountain ecotype have been identified in the southeastern and, possibly, in the northeastern parts of the province. The latter Mountain population is virtually unknown. The southeastern population is sedentary and uses mainly the boreal forest. This population has decreased over the last century and currently numbers only approximate to 140 individuals. Finally, the Forest-Dwelling ecotype is found discontinuously, mainly between the 49(th) and 55(th) parallels. Its current distribution covers approximate to 235 000 km(2), mainly east of the 72(nd) meridian. This sedentary ecotype is found almost exclusively in the boreal forest, principally in areas with long forest fire cycles. Its abundance has also decreased over the years. Large Forest-Dwelling populations still persisted during the 1950s and 1960s, but they apparently disappeared. The current abundance is not known precisely, but based on density estimates and considering the current distribution, it probably does not exceed 3000 individuals. Current data are insufficient to identify precisely the causes of the population decline, although hunting seems to be an important proximal cause.