Distribution and abundance of mountain goats in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Lewis TM and White KS. 2015. Distribution and abundance of mountain goats in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report. NPS/GLBA/NRR—2015/1094. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) represent an important wildlife resource providing wildlife viewing opportunities within Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (GLBA) and sport hunting opportunities in portions of the preserve and lands surrounding the park and preserve. This project was collaborative effort between state and federal agencies to: 1) quantify the summer distribution and abundance of mountain goats in the park; 2) compare current mountain goat distribution and abundance to historical data; 3) examine possible correlations between mountain goat distribution and bedrock geology; 4) and provide baseline data and sampling recommendations for developing long-term monitoring protocols and future research priorities. Mountain goat aerial surveys were conducted for approximately 30 hours during 4 days from July 25 - August 4, 2012. A total of 841 mountain goats were observed (number of groups = 201, percent kids = 18.1). The distribution of mountain goats in the survey area was not uniform with abundance of mountain goats was highest in the area south of Adams inlet (Excursion/Adams), Tidal Inlet/Tlingit Point (Upper Bay) and the Outer Coast-South and lowest in the upper East and West Arms of Glacier Bay and the Dundas River watershed. Fewer mountain goats (-31.8%) and a lower proportion of kids were observed on the east and north sides of Glacier Bay in 2012 (454) compared to 1985 (665). However, more mountain goats were observed in multiple areas on the west side of northern Glacier Bay in 2012 (56) than 1985 (16), suggesting possible range expansion in this area. Mountain goats in Glacier Bay National Park in 2012 were observed on sedimentary bedrock almost twice as much as on magmatic rock and only 1/3 as much as would be expected if distribution were uniform across the study area. We offer the following recommendations for future work: 1) Develop a long-term monitoring sampling design, 2) Estimate mountain goat population size using sightability models, 3)Assess the population structure of mountain goats in Glacier Bay, and 4) Identify focal areas to conduct ground and vessel surveys.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Lewis, Tania; White, Kevin
- Date of Issue
- 2015-12
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- AKRO , GLBA , NRSS , SEAN
- Keywords
- Aerial Survey, Alaska, Glacier Bay, GLBA, Mountain Goats, National Park, preserve
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals