METHODS 



HABITAT DESCRIPTION 



Special descriptive techniques were employed for the breeding bird census, 

 the small mammal study, and the roadside wildlife survey which all required 

 more detailed habitat description. Vegetation was mapped on breeding bird cen- 

 sus grids using aerial photographs to delineate boundaries^and inspection from 

 ground level to determine vegetation type. Several 34.5 m (371 ft ) sample 

 plots were located in characteristic community types within these grids and 

 sampled as described in the DNRC vegetation report. Vegetation on small mammal 

 live-trap grids was mapped by investigators who inspected each grid on foot and 

 recorded the vegetation at each station. Snap-trap lines were located in stands 

 representative of plant community types with the aid of the DNRC plant ecologist. 

 Representation of certain habitat categories by percent within each of two hun- 

 dred and fifty circles of 0.40 km (0.25 mi) radius centered on the stopping sta- 

 tions on the roadside wildlife survey routes was visually estimated by examin- 

 ation of aerial photographs and inspection from ground level. 



GENERAL GROUND AND AERIAL SURVEYS AND ANALYSES 



The bulk of information on vertebrate species composition, and on habitat 

 use, distribution, season of use, group size, sex and age structure, and other 

 parameters for selected species was obtained by recording data on vertebrates 

 observed while investigators were flying, driving, walking, or (rarely) skiing 

 or snowshoeing through the study area. 



The formal baseline study period extended from December 6, 1976 to February 

 20, 1978, and thus included two winters. Five biologists worked at various times 

 in the study area during the study period; the dates during which each recorded 

 field data are shown in figure 1. In addition, supplemental wildlife observations 

 were recorded by R. Prodgers, DNRC plant ecologist, during the summer of 1976 as 

 shown in this same figure. The schedule of aerial surveys during the study is 

 given in table 4. The north-south flight lines were one mile apart. An attempt 

 was made to cover the reconnaissance study area seasonally and the mine study 

 area monthly, although it was not possible to follow this schedule precisely. 



All observations of wild mammals, raptors, and upland game birds made during 

 ground and aerial surveys were recorded on standard data sheets (Appendix B). 

 Data recorded for each observation included: level (reconnaissance, mine study 

 area, or proposed mining area), date, observers, vehicle, time, species, number 

 of animals (by sex and age), activity, habitat category (classified as in table 

 1), and topography (classified as in figure 2). Where applicable, additional 

 information recorded on these forms included: type and rate of precipitation, 

 temperature, wind speed, slope, aspect, snow cover, and comments. Since soil 

 maps were not available, data were not recorded on soil types at observation sites. 



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