Results recently published in the journal Global Change Biology show a population drop of 60% in worldwide caribou and reindeer numbers over the last three decades.
The dramatic decline in population is likely due to climate change and increased industrial development in boreal forests around the world.
The study was the first ever comprehensive census analysis conducted for this species, and the results were far worse than expected. The Arctic was once thought to be a last bastion for large migrating animals like the caribou, since it is freer from development and habitat encroachment than other regions. But the effects of global warming are felt far worse in the Arctic than anywhere else, where temperatures can potentially increase five or tenfold relative to the rest of the globe.
Furthermore, as the Arctic warms, development in the region is expected to continually increase, as nations scurry to secure oil reserves and timber from boreal forests. The study found that the leading cause for the decline in caribou numbers in boreal forests was from industrial development.
Global warming also impacts the herds by altering the seasonal cycles which determine their ability to find food. Spring green ups in the Arctic are now happening earlier, before the herds arrive, which deprives mothers and calves of quality nutrients. Warmer and prolonged summers also mean more intense insect activity, which irritates the herds and disrupts regular feeding. Furthermore, global warming brings less snow and more freezing rain during the winter, which can make lichens that the animals feed on in the colder months more difficult to access.
Researchers said the dramatic decline raises serious concerns not only for the animals, but also for people living in northern latitudes who depend on the animals for their livelihood. Moreover, the caribou and reindeer migrations are so essential to the ecology of the Arctic that their decline could have far-reaching environmental impacts that are still unforeseen.
If you’d like to assist in the conservation of the North’s boreal forests, support environmental and conservation groups working in the region. One group working to protect Canada’s vast forests is Canopy, and you can donate to their efforts here.
Source: ScienceDaily
Image Credit: peupleloup on Flickr under a Creative Commons License
About Bryan Nelson
They believe the impact of climate change is causing the disruption of feeding habits. They feel this is causing the decimation of the species.
Yet in Alaska, our herds are stable by comparison. There is a reason for this.
Alaska biologists studied our caribou herds for decades and have proof as to why our herd numbers fluctuate.
They have developed recovery plans. In some areas, they have implemented those plans and had success.
The areas where the plans were not implemented, such as Game Management Unit 20A, have seen a decrease in caribou numbers. The recovery plan seeks to reduce the number of predators to a healthy number for both the predators and the caribou herds. Predator management is why Alaska’s herds are stable. With a little less interference from animal rights groups, our herds could be growing.
Carrying capacity (the amount of food available) of an area plays a role when the numbers get too high, but the biggest factor found is predation. Wolves and bears are the main reason for sudden drops in caribou numbers.
A study of the mortality rate of some herds put the take by predators at more than 80 percent. Meanwhile, the take by humans is 2 percent.
Hunting by humans has little effect on caribou numbers. We are feeding the predators.
Meanwhile, on the Discovery Channel, I have seen programs about wolf reintroduction efforts in Europe and Siberia. Then they blast Alaska for killing wolves.
Thanks to the Alaska biologists who have done their homework, the science is there and proven. Now it’s time to get out of their way and let them do their jobs, so we can continue to have healthy herds of caribou in Alaska.