Population Dynamics and Ecology of Alaska Large Mammals

Primary contact(s): Layne Adams, ladams@usgs.gov, (907)786-7159

Status: Ongoing

Project area: Alaska

Description: The objective of this research program is to provide timely and relevant information to address wildlife management issues in Alaska and northern North America, including topics such as population dynamics, predator/prey relationships, effects of harvest, habitat relationships, and monitoring methods for large carnivores and ungulates. Because large ungulates and carnivores are long-lived and their interactions are complex, productive research in this arena is generally long-term and requires concurrent studies of individual species often on separate study areas. The research requires a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to understand species biology, interactions among predators and prey, and roles of environmental influences within large mammal communities. The research program currently consists of four components: 1. Population dynamics of the Denali Caribou Herd: Begun in 1986, this long-term investigation is aimed at understanding the roles of predation and climate on the vital rates of a naturally-regulated caribou herd within Denali National Park and Preserve. 2. The decline of the Chisana Caribou Herd – assessing population dynamics and recovery efforts: This project began in 2003 to assess the population dynamics of small caribou herd that ranges across the international boundary with Canada and evaluate the effects of captive rearing program conducted by the Yukon Territorial Government to bolster calf survival in the herd. 3. Growth and maturation of moose in Koyukuk and Innoko National Wildlife Refuges relative to population density and habitat quality: This is a cooperative effort with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, National Park Service, and University of Alaska Fairbanks to evaluate the roles of habitat quality and population density in moose nutritional performance. 4. Evaluating the genetic structure of Dall sheep in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: This is a new project in FY07 to assess the genetic structure of Dall sheep in the Chitina River drainage using DNA from fecal samples collected in summer and tissue samples from hunter-killed rams. Project link: http://alaska.usgs.gov/products/index.php

Why: Understanding the population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology of large, terrestrial mammals is critical for the management of wildlife on DOI-lands in Alaska. Management of large mammals, particularly predators, is highly controversial at global, national, and Alaskan scales. Further, research conducted on DOI lands provides essential information for important Alaskan and national issues including subsistence and sport harvest management, predator management, and wildland fire management. Research results from this program will advance our understanding of dynamics of terrestrial predator/prey communities and be directly applicable to the difficult decisions facing wildlife managers, policy makers, and the public regarding reestablishment of carnivore populations and the management of large mammal communities that include top carnivores.

Audience: US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Yukon Territorial Government, Canadian Wildlife Service, Alaskan hunters and the general public

Cooperators: US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Yukon Territorial Government, Canadian Wildlife Service.

Keywords: landscape ecology, population ecology, mammals, caribou, sheep, wolves, moose, predator, prey, Alaska, population genetics

Start Date: October 1, 2005

End Date: September 30, 2017

Geographic Bounding Box:

   Upper Left (Lat/Long): 68.66,-164.20

   Lower Right (Lat/Long): 59.70,-137.03