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Understanding

wildlife needs in large landscapes

By Arctic Beringia

February 10^th, 2017

big land, big animals

While large herbivores and their predators need expansive interconnected landscapes to thrive, these areas are frequently in the spot light for development (such as oil and gas, or mining) and transportation corridors (such as roads and pipelines). Furthermore, in a rapidly changing climate, as we are experiencing now, the importance of these expansive areas is further emphasized as animals adapt to the new conditions.

WCS is assessing what types of landscape are needed to support the iconic species of the Arctic and how climate change or development activity are affecting the value and connectivity of key habitats. Our holistic focus on the ecology of both musk oxen and wolverines requires us to assess many aspects of their ecosystem from small mammals (as prey for wolverines) to bears and wolves (as predators of musk oxen), to the people who live with and are sustained by these species. Furthermore, working across such a large area allows for comparative work among different sub-populations as we seek to understand mechanisms of impacts.

Musk oxen at Cape Krusenstern National Monument. Photo credit Kevin Rodriguez.

Musk oxen populations in the Arctic

Muskoxen are inexorably linked to the impacts of climate in the Arctic. Their ability to adapt to significant environmental change is poor, as evidenced by their complete loss from Asia and Europe; native populations persist only in tundra environments of what is geologically North America – from Alaska across northern Canada and in Greenland.

The Wrangel Island Nature Reserve just to the north of Siberia is where an introduced muskoxen population is thriving while those in America’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have dropped to near extinction. The causes of these differing trajectories are unclear; possibilities include changes in freeze-thaw cycles, habitat quality, and predation, particularly from polar and grizzly bears. WCS is conducting comparative research that will help us understand how different factors affect muskoxen and productivity both on Wrangel Island and in Arctic Alaska. With this information, we will be able to make management recommendations that foster the long-term health of these animals.

Project Partner Fred Goodhope Jr. of Shishmaref in his element

Arctic sun dog brightening the winter cold of Wrangel Island, Chukotka.

Working to collar musk oxen in the remote Bering Strait region

An Alaskan musk oxen herd in classic defensive formation

Musk Oxen taking stock of researchers on Wrangel Island

WCS's Joel Berger with long-time friend and colleague Fred Goodhope Jr. in Shishmaref

Dr. Joel Berger (foreground) assessing response of musk oxen to a simulated polar bear

A wolverine peers at his captor from a box trap. Photo credit Tom Glass.

wolverine ecology IN ARCTIC ALASKA

Wolverines in the contiguous United States are being considered for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act because of their low numbers and vulnerability to climate change. Elsewhere, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada recently confirmed wolverine as a species of special concern due to its low reproductive rate and susceptibility to threats such as industrial activity and human access to its remote habitats via new roads and more snowmobiles, which are increasing.

In order to achieve long-term conservation of this species with a demonstrated vulnerability to human disturbances and a changing climate, we need to develop a much better understanding of the potential magnitude of such impacts. This will be a necessary foundation for developing mitigation and conservation strategies in Alaska, including those at the landscape level, which in turn will contribute to our efforts to conserve this species elsewhere in its global range.