Bridging Traditional and scientific knowledge through a novel predictive approach to understand the role of pathogens in the decline of a key Arctic species ...
The main objective of this project is to understand and quantify the potential role of parasites and pathogens in population dynamics and declines of barren-ground caribou ( Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus ) through ecological modeling and Indigenous observation and monitoring. We hypothesized that...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | unknown |
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Zenodo
2023
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8213196 https://zenodo.org/record/8213196 |
| Summary: | The main objective of this project is to understand and quantify the potential role of parasites and pathogens in population dynamics and declines of barren-ground caribou ( Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus ) through ecological modeling and Indigenous observation and monitoring. We hypothesized that the costs of diseases will have a negative impact on caribou physiology and, as a direct consequence, a negative impact on caribou population dynamics. This is likely to be a combination of cumulative effects through subtle energetic mechanisms such as decreasing body condition and pregnancy rates, as well as direct mortality, fetal abortion, or infertility. We built a bio-energetic integral projection model to evaluate the impact of parasites and biting insects on caribou body condition, and as a result, caribou population dynamics. Results from this model demonstrate the significant impact that sub-lethal infection and behavioural modifications caused by parasites and insect pests can have on caribou. We then ... |
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