Using seasonal landscape models to predict space use and migratory patterns of an arctic ungulate.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Caribou in the Western Arctic Herd undertake one of the longest, remaining intact migrations of terrestrial mammals in the world. They are also the most important subsistence resource for many northern rural residents, who rely on the caribou's migratory movements to bring them near for harvest. Migratory geography has never been static, but subsistence harvesters have reported recent shifts in migration away from areas where they traditionally occurred. The reasons behind these changes are not well-understood, but may be related to rapid climate change and anthropogenic disturbances.

Methods

To predict changes in distribution and shifting migratory areas over the past decade, we used GPS telemetry data from adult females to develop predictive ecological niche mod

SUBMITTER: Baltensperger AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6551874 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature