2. INVENTORY GROUP

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Numerous publications on the general biology and ecology, distribution, movements and habitat use of ungulates are available. The mammalian species notes (American Society of Mammalogy) provide an excellent summary on the general biology and ecology of ungulates. Information pertaining to ungulate distribution, movements and habitat use in British Columbia are available in the Preliminary Species Management Plan series for British Columbia, published by the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Specific details on species ecology, relevant to the survey protocols, are outlined in Section 4.

Standardized protocols to inventory ungulates in the various biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia are highlighted in Table 1. Detailed information on these protocols are described in the following sections. The species specific guidelines (Section 4) provide additional information on ungulate ecology, and describe how such information may be accommodated into an inventory design.

Table 1. Recommended aerial survey techniques and timing for classification and population estimates of ungulates in different biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia. Ground surveys are recommended ( g ) for some species where aerial surveys are not possible.

BIOGEOCLIMATIC ZONES
SpeciesInventory Level (Month)CDFCWHMHICHBGPPIDFMSESSFSBSSBPSBWBSSWBAT
BisonPopn & Comp (Jan-Mar)------------TC-
Mountain GoatComp (July)-TCTCTC--TCTCTC--TCTCTC
Popn (Aug-Nov)-TCTCTC--TCTCTC--TCTCTC
Mountain SheepComp (Nov-Dec)----TCgTCgTCgTCg---TCTCTC
Popn (Jan-Feb)-----TCTCTCTC--TCTC
MooseComp (Nov-Dec)------SBSB-SBSBETET-
Popn (all areas Jan-Feb)------SBSB-SBSBSBSB-
(Dec-Jan)---SB----------
(level terrain Jan-Feb)-----------STST-
ElkPopn & Comp (Jan-Mar)-----SBSBSB---SBSB-
Popn (Jan-Mar)---TC----------
DeerRecruitment (Apr-May)ETgETg-ETgETgETgETg----ETg--
Popn (Jan-Feb)-----**----SB--
Popn (Apr-May)----*---------
Northern CaribouPopn & Comp (Oct-Nov)--------SB--SBSBSB
Comp (Oct1-14) Rainbow Mt-------SBSB-----
Popn (Jan-Mar) (Rainbow Mt)-------SBSB----SB
Mountain CaribouPopn & Comp (Feb-Apr 15)--------TC-----

Inventory Level: Popn - population (to locate and delineate), Comp - composition (age and sex)

Aerial techniques: TC - total count (stratified when possible), SB - stratified random block, FT - fixed-width transect, ET - encounter transect, HS - aerial search of population concentrations or "hot spots".

Ground techniques: ET g - encounter transect, TC g - total count, MR g - mark and recapture of radio-collared bears. * SB may be possible in localized areas.

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