Caribou monitoring protocol for the Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program
Joly K, Miller SD, Shults BS. 2012. Caribou monitoring protocol for the Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. Natural Resource Report. NPS/ARCN/NRR—2012/564. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are an integral part of the ecological and cultural fabric of northwest Alaska. The Western Arctic Herd (WAH) caribou roam over this entire region, including all 5 Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (ARCN) National Park Units. Conservation of healthy caribou populations are specifically mentioned within the enabling legislation (Alaska National Interested Lands Conservation Act or ANILCA) of three of these Parks and is of critical concern of subsistence hunters within this region. Caribou are, by far, the most abundant large mammal in northwest Alaska and are famous for their long-distance migrations and large population oscillations. For these reasons, ARCN chose WAH caribou as a Vital Sign. This report documents the protocols ARCN will utilize to help monitor this herd. Principal among them is the use of Geographic Positioning System (GPS) radiotelemetry collars that are capable of transmitting location data to a satellite. Given the extremely remote area which the WAH inhabits, this system provides the most efficient and accurate means to track individual caribou. These data will be utilized to monitor the timing and location of migrations, as well as seasonal distributions of WAH caribou. Monitoring phenology is perhaps the simplest means to track the influence of climate change, natural perturbations, development, and other potential impacts on a species. These protocols also document the National Park Service‘s commitment and involvement with the WAH Working Group. The group is comprised of important stakeholders, including representatives for rural villages, sport hunters, conservationists, guides, transporters, and reindeer herders. All of the agencies charged with managing the WAH, including the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Alaska Department of Fish and Game, serve as advisors to the group. Information gathered by the Caribou Vital Sign are intended to supplement and complement existing data streams gather by the other cooperating agencies and should be of vital importance in future management decisions.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Joly, Kyle; Miller, Scott; Shults, Brad
- Date of Issue
- 2012-08
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , IMDP , KOVA , NOAT , NRSS
- Keywords
- ARCN, Arctic Network, Caribou, Climate Change, collar, Distribution, Geographic Positioning System, GPS, Herd, hunters, inventory and monitoring program, Mammal, Migration, Monitor, National Park, National Park Service, Northwest Alaska, Phenology, Populations, Protocol, Radiotelemetry, Rangifer tarandus, Satellite, Subsistence, wah, Western Arctic Herd
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals