USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems: Measuring and forecasting the response of wildlife populations to changes in ecosystem processes on the Arctic Coastal Plain (Climate Effects on Ungulates)
To assess effects of temperature-driven changes to vegetation communities on Alaska's Arctic Coastal Plain and influences on the population dynamics and distributions of the Central Arctic caribou herdAbstract
Alaska’s Arctic Coastal Plain is experiencing temperature-driven changes to vegetation communities, such as earlier green-up, increased peak biomass, and expansion of shrubs that are likely influencing the population dynamics and seasonal distributions of the region’s ungulate species. Climate-driven changes in the distribution and characteristics of available habitats of the North Slope, and the seasonality and nutritive quality of important forages will likely influence the population dynamics and seasonal distributions of these species. Further, migratory caribou that summer on the Arctic Coastal Plain will also face warming-related effects. We are examining: 1) changes in phenology and nutrient composition of forage species along an elevational gradient of North Slope habitats; 2) effects of changing fire regimes and shrub/forest expansion on winter ranges of arctic caribou herds; and 3) shrub expansion patterns in riparian and tundra habitats.
Products
Contacts
Johnson, Heather , 907-786-7155Status: completed
Start Year: 2010
End Year: 2017
Project Sites
Collaborators
Alaska Department of Fish and GameNational Park Service
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Location
North Slope BoroughUSGS Mission Area and Program
Ecosystems → Cooperative Research UnitsEcosystems → Wildlife Program
Major Initiatives
USGS - Changing Arctic Ecosystems InitiativeKeywords
Biosphere > Terrestrial Ecosystems > Alpine/TundraClimate Indicators