Decline of Caribou in North America Following Settlement
Bergerud AT. 1974. Decline of Caribou in North America Following Settlement. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 38(4):757-770
The numbers of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in North America generally declined in the 1800s and early 1900s. Four hypotheses are discussed relative to this decline: (I) numbers decreased because of a shortage of lichen supplies caused by the destruction of lichen pastures by fire and logging; (II) population declined because of increased hunting mortality, augmented by increased natural predation of some herds by wolves (Canis lupus); (III) a combination of hypotheses I and II above; and (IV) caribou declined in Alaska because of increased movement of marginal habitats with high numbers. This review supports hypothesis II--that numbers declined because of increased hunting mortality and natural predation of some herds, and argues that2 the range-destruction hypothesis has not been shown to be either a necessary or sufficient cause to explain the decline.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Bergerud, Arthur
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Arctic, Canis lupus, Rangifer tarandus