Effects of environmental features and sport hunting on caribou migration in northwestern Alaska

Fullman, Timothy J.; Joly, Kyle; Ackerman, Andrew

doi:10.1186/s40462-017-0095-z

Cited by 23 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…Meanwhile, relatively few studies have examined Arctic treeline advance (Lescop-Sinclair and Payette 1995, Suarez et al 1999, Lloyd et al 2003, Harsch et al 2009, Lantz et al 2019, despite the comparative ease of differentiating trees from tundra in historical imagery. Changes in tree abundance in the Arctic have the potential to dramatically alter surface energy exchange (Beringer et al 2005), carbon (C) cycling (LaFleur et al 2001), wildlife habitat (Fullman et al 2017) and the availability of subsistence resources to local communities (Kofinas et al 2010). Improved understanding of the pattern, process and magnitude of increasing tree abundance in the Arctic is therefore an important goal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways of tundra encroachment by trees and tall shrubs in the western Brooks Range of Alaska

2020

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Climate change is expected to increase woody vegetation abundance in the Arctic, yet the magnitude, spatial pattern and pathways of change remain uncertain. We compared historical orthophotos photos (1952 and 1979) with high-resolution satellite imagery (2015) to examine six decades of change in abundance of white spruce Picea glauca and tall shrubs (Salix spp., Alnus spp.) near the Agashashok River in northwest Alaska. We established ~3000 random points within our ~5500 ha study area for classification into nine cover types. To examine physiographic controls on tree abundance, we fit multinomial log-linear models with predictors derived from a digital elevation model and with arctic tundra, alpine tundra and 'tree' as levels of a categorical response variable. Between 1952 and 2015, points classified as arctic and alpine tundra decreased by 31% and 15%, respectively. Meanwhile, tall shrubs increased by 86%, trees mixed with tall shrubs increased by 385% and forest increased by 84%. Tundra with tall shrubs rarely transitioned to forest. The best multinomial model explained 71% of variation in cover and included elevation, slope and an interaction between slope and 'northness'. Treeline was defined as the elevation where the probability of tree presence equaled that of tundra. Mean treeline elevation in 2015 was 202 m, corresponding with a June-August mean air temperature > 11°C, which is > 4°C warmer than the 6-7°C isotherm associated with global treeline elevations. Our results show dramatic increases in the abundance of trees and tall shrubs, question the universality of air temperature as a predictor of treeline elevation and suggest two mutually exclusive pathways of vegetation change, because tundra that gained tall shrubs rarely transitioned to forest. Conversion of tundra to tall shrubs and forest has important and potentially contrasting implications for carbon cycling, surface energy exchange and wildlife habitat in the Arctic.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways of tundra encroachment by trees and tall shrubs in the western Brooks Range of Alaska

2020

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“…Although they tend to avoid water during migration (Leblond et al 2016;Fullman et al 2017), caribou are adept swimmers (Miller 1995;Avgar et al 2013). Based on behavioural observations, they are likely familiar with breaking through thin ice and are certainly able to survive these events (Miller and Gunn 1986).…”

Section: Movement Migration and Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observed and predicted effects of climate change on Arctic caribou and reindeer

2018

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Abstract:The ability of many species to adapt to the shifting environmental conditions associated with climate change will be a key determinant of their persistence in the coming decades. This is a challenge already faced by species in the Arctic, where rapid environmental change is well underway. Caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) play a key role in Arctic ecosystems and provide irreplaceable socioeconomic value to many northern peoples. Recent decades have seen declines in many Rangifer populations, and there is strong concern that climate change is threatening the viability of this iconic Arctic species. We examine the literature to provide a thorough and full consideration of the many environmental factors that limit caribou and reindeer populations, and how these might be affected by a warming climate. Our review suggests that the response of Rangifer populations to climate change is, and will continue to be, varied in large part to their broad circumpolar distribution. While caribou and reindeer could have some resilience to climate change, current global trends in abundance undermine all but the most precautionary outlooks. Ultimately, the conservation of Rangifer populations will require careful management that considers the local and regional manifestations of climate change.Key words: climate change, caribou, reindeer, Rangifer, Arctic.Résumé : La capacité de bien des espèces à s'adapter aux conditions changeantes du milieu, associées au changement climatique, sera un facteur déterminant de leur pérennité dans les décennies à venir. Ceci constitue un défi auquel les espèces sont déjà confrontées dans l'Arctique, où la dégradation rapide de l'environnement est bien amorcée. Les caribous et les rennes (Rangifer tarandus) jouent un rôle essentiel dans les écosystèmes arctiques et apportent une valeur socio-économique irremplaçable aux populations du Nord. Au cours des dernières décennies, il y a eu des déclins dans beaucoup de populations de Rangifer et il règne une grande inquiétude que le changement climatique menace la viabilité de cette espèce iconique de l'Arctique. Nous examinons la littérature afin de fournir une étude complète et minutieuse des nombreux facteurs du milieu restreignant les populations de caribous et de rennes, et de déterminer comment ces populations pourraient être touchées par le réchauffement climatique. Notre examen suggère que la réponse des populations de Rangifer au changement climatique est, et continuera à être, diverse principalement en raison de leur vaste aire de répartition circumpolaire. Tandis que les caribous et les rennes pourraient avoir une certaine résilience au changement climatique, les tendances globales actuelles d'abondance des espèces affaiblissent toutes les perspectives sauf les plus préoccupantes. En fin de compte, la conservation des populations de Rangifer nécessitera une gestion prudente qui prenne en compte les manifestations locales et régionales de changement climatique. [Traduit par la Rédaction]

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“…Caribou were the study species in eight articles (24.2%) on Arctic wildlife. Only one peerreviewed Ecology article (Fullman et al, 2017) mentioned aircraft impacts on traditional harvest practices, but did so briefly. Aircraft impacts to caribou remained the focus of this study.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Aircraft-Subsistence Harvester Conflict in Arctic Alaska + Supplementary Appendix 1

Stinchcomb¹,

Brinkman²,

Fritz³

2019

ARCTIC

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The traditional harvest of wild resources carries significant nutritional, economic, and sociocultural values for rural residents in the Arctic, especially for Indigenous subsistence communities. Rural communities in the Alaskan Arctic have expressed concern that aircraft activity from industry, commercial hunting, research, and tourism disrupts their harvest of wildlife, particularly caribou (Rangifer tarandus). However, little research exists on how aircraft impact harvest opportunities. Our objective was to assess the extent of scientific knowledge on aircraft-harvester interaction in the Arctic through a systematic search of the available literature. We found that no peer-reviewed publications addressed the conflict between aircraft and harvesters in the region. Some literature addressed aircraft impacts to subsistence species, but did not discuss how those impacts would affect local harvesters. Most research has been directed towards studying aircraft impacts on wildlife or humans in urbanized areas rather than in rural, subsistence communities. Therefore, we expanded our review to draw from gray literature (e.g., public records, government documents) to synthesize the current state of concern and perceptions on aircraft disturbance to subsistence harvesters. Based on the gray literature, we found that harvester frustrations were primarily directed toward low-flying aircraft and non-local operations. However, an absence of quantitative information on the extent of interaction between aircraft activity and harvesters hinders an objective assessment of the conflict. Mitigating conflict will require research focused on this data gap and may begin with better cooperation among rural communities, aircraft users, and decision-makers.

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Effects of environmental features and sport hunting on caribou migration in northwestern Alaska

Cited by 23 publications

References 92 publications

Pathways of tundra encroachment by trees and tall shrubs in the western Brooks Range of Alaska

Pathways of tundra encroachment by trees and tall shrubs in the western Brooks Range of Alaska

Observed and predicted effects of climate change on Arctic caribou and reindeer

A Review of Aircraft-Subsistence Harvester Conflict in Arctic Alaska + Supplementary Appendix 1

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