Woodland caribou habitat potential within the provincial forest of central and northern Saskatchewan has been identified by Saskatchewan, using a forest ecosite geographic information system layer which has been mapped for the SK1 area. Download: hereCaribou habitat potential has been categorized into low, moderate and high classes based on the biophysical attributes of the Saskatchewan ecosite classification (McLaughlan et al., 2010) and their utility and function for caribou. Forest ecosites represent information about a site's tree species, plant-abundance and soil and site characteristics. Forest ecosite habitat potential ranks were assigned by individually evaluating the ecosite's potential to provide forage, refuge and calving habitat. Habitat potential refers to the ability or capability of a habitat type to support a wildlife species for its various life requirements. Potential does not consider the current state of the habitat (e.g., recently burned or harvested), but its optimal state.Habitat Potential Classes: Low habitat potential = 0 Moderate habitat potential = 1 High habitat potential = 2 

Caribou habitat management areas identify zones ("tiers") with similar importance to caribou, potential risks and primary strategies for caribou conservation. These Final Caribou Habitat Management Areas (CHMAs) are based on known woodland caribou use and habitat potential mapping; in addition, levels of both human-caused and wildfire disturbances were also taken into consideration. Tier 1 areas were selected because they include high-moderate caribou habitat potential with high levels of observed caribou use and low levels of human-caused disturbance. Tier 2 areas were selected because they include areas of high-moderate woodland caribou habitat potential with observed use and higher levels of wildfire and human-caused disturbance. Tier 3 areas provide general habitat and maintain habitat connectivity between Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas. These areas are not permanent: they will be updated as habitat conditions, land use and caribou populations change over time. Different strategies have been developed for each Tier based on their stated management objectives and relative importance to and known use by caribou, current habitat condition and potential risks. A two page overview of the SK2 Central Woodland Caribou Range Plan and the CHMAs can be viewed here: https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/122353Find out more about woodland caribou and what the province is doing to manage their habitat and protect their populations: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/environmental-protection-and-sustainability/wildlife-and-conservation/wildlife-species-at-risk/woodland-caribou-program

Caribou habitat management areas identify zones ("tiers") with similar importance to caribou, potential risks and primary strategies for caribou conservation. These Draft Caribou Habitat Management Areas (CHMAs) are based on known woodland caribou use and habitat potential mapping; in addition, levels of both human-caused and wildfire disturbances were also taken into consideration. Tier 1 areas were selected because they include high-moderate caribou habitat potential with high levels of observed caribou use and low levels of human-caused disturbance. Tier 2 areas were selected because they include areas of high-moderate woodland caribou habitat potential with observed use and higher levels of wildfire and human-caused disturbance. Tier 3 areas provide general habitat and maintain habitat connectivity between Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas. These areas are not permanent: they will be updated as habitat conditions, land use and caribou populations change over time. Different strategies have been developed for each Tier based on their stated management objectives and relative importance to and known use by caribou, current habitat condition and potential risks.  Find out more about woodland caribou and what the province is doing to manage their habitat and protect their populations: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/environmental-protection-and-sustainability/wildlife-and-conservation/wildlife-species-at-risk/woodland-caribou-program

Woodland caribou habitat potential within the provincial forest of central and northern Saskatchewan has been identified by Saskatchewan, using a forest ecosite geographic information system layer which has been mapped for the SK2 area. Download: hereCaribou habitat potential has been categorized into low, moderate and high classes based on the biophysical attributes of the Saskatchewan ecosite classification (McLaughlan et al., 2010) and their utility and function for caribou. Forest ecosites represent information about a site's tree species, plant-abundance and soil and site characteristics. Forest ecosite habitat potential ranks were assigned by individually evaluating the ecosite's potential to provide forage, refuge and calving habitat. Habitat potential refers to the ability or capability of a habitat type to support a wildlife species for its various life requirements. Potential does not consider the current state of the habitat (e.g., recently burned or harvested), but its optimal state.Habitat Potential Classes:Low habitat potential = 0Moderate habitat potential = 1High habitat potential = 2Unknown = 255Further information about the construction and uses of the woodland caribou habitat potential layer can be found in the SK2 West Range Plan:  https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/103593

Saskatchewan's woodland caribou range is divided into two conservation units, based on the ecozone boundaries of the boreal shield (SK1) and the boreal plain (SK2). The SK2 Caribou Conservation Unit is further divided into three administrative units: SK2 East, SK2 Central and SK2 West. The SK1 (Boreal Shield) Caribou Conservation Unit encompasses the rocky shield, sandy plains and many lakes of northern Saskatchewan. The SK2 (Boreal Plain) Caribou Conservation Unit encompasses the more productive mixed-wood forests and lakes of central Saskatchewan, including large areas of low-lying peatlands. While these two units represent important differences in ecological conditions (e.g., habitat types, fire regimes, landforms, etc.) and human land use and management (e.g., overall levels and types of land use, fire management, etc.), the boundary between SK1 and SK2 does not represent a population boundary, as caribou move freely between the two areas. The large size of the SK2 Caribou Conservation Unit (i.e., 109,717 km2) is not well suited for range assessment and range planning activities, given the large variation in ecological conditions, habitat types, land use, and natural disturbance regimes across the Boreal Plain of Saskatchewan. As a result, three smaller caribou administrative units within SK2 were developed: SK2 East, SK2 Central and SK2 West. SK2 West is further subdivided into two smaller management subunits. At present, the SK1 area has not been sub-divided into administrative units. Find out more about woodland caribou and what the province is doing to manage their habitat and protect their populations: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/environmental-protection-and-sustainability/wildlife-and-conservation/wildlife-species-at-risk/woodland-caribou-program