Protocol for monitoring caribou populations in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Central Alaska Network: Narrative – version 1.0
Putera JA and Miller SD. 2018. Protocol for monitoring caribou populations in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Central Alaska Network: Narrative – version 1.0. Natural Resource Report. NPS/CAKN/NRR—2018/1750. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This document outlines the methods for collecting, managing and reporting monitoring data for caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve (WRST) for the Central Alaska Network (CAKN). The CAKN has adopted a holistic view of network ecosystems and will track the major physical drivers of ecosystem change and responses of the two major components of the biota: plants and animals. The Fauna Distribution and Abundance Vital Sign comprises monitoring efforts for a suite of vertebrate species spanning the significant elevation gradient found in CAKN parks, and also includes species of specific interest within each park. Protection of caribou populations and habitat is specifically mentioned within the enabling legislation of WRST (Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act or ANILCA). Caribou occur in all three network parks and are an important component of the ecosystem. Together with moose (Alces alces), Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli), and smaller prey they help support a diverse mix of predators and scavengers including wolves (Canis lupus), brown bears (Ursus arctos), black bears (U. americanus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), coyotes (C. latrans), lynx (Lynx canadensis) and wolverines (Gulo gulo). All are important to the functioning of a natural ecosystem that includes humans. The measurable objectives are to determine population size and trend of the Mentasta and Chisana Caribou Herds, estimate calf recruitment and adult sex ratios, estimate annual adult female survival, document seasonal distribution throughout the year, and assess trends in mass and body size of adult females. These objectives will be accomplished by placing radiocollars on a sample of adult cows within each herd.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Putera, Judy; Miller, Scott
- Date of Issue
- 2018-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CAKN , NRSS , WRST
- Keywords
- body size, CAKN, caribou, Chisana, distribution, Herd, mass, Mentasta, National Park, population, radiocollars, Rangifer tarandus, recruitment, sex ratio, survival, Wrangell-St. Elias, WRST
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals