Single-island home range use by four female Peary caribou, Bathurst Island, Canadian High Arctic, 1993-94

Spatial and temporal use of seasonal, and collectively, annual ranges by four female Peary caribou (Rangifer taran-dus pearyi) was investigated using satellite telemetry. Knowledge of how caribou use space allows a better understanding of their demands on those ranges and enhances evaluation of asso...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rangifer
Main Authors: Miller, Frank L., Barry, Samuel J.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 2003
Subjects:
caribou
Bathurst Island
home range
displacement vs. travel
distributions
Rangifer tarandus pearyi
movements
satellite telemetry locations
Arctic
Peary
Single Island
Queen Elizabeth Islands
Rangifer
Rangifer tarandus
Online Access:https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/1710
https://doi.org/10.7557/2.23.5.1710
Description
Summary:Spatial and temporal use of seasonal, and collectively, annual ranges by four female Peary caribou (Rangifer taran-dus pearyi) was investigated using satellite telemetry. Knowledge of how caribou use space allows a better understanding of their demands on those ranges and enhances evaluation of associated environmental stressors. The study took place during an environmentally favorable caribou-year with high reproduction and calf survival and low (none detected) 1+ yr-old mortality, 1 August 1993 to 31 July 1994, Bathurst Island, south-central Queen Elizabeth Islands, Canadian High Arctic. All four females exhibited a pattern of single-island seasonal, and collectively, annual range use. Estimates of the maximum area encompassed by each individual during the course of the annual-cycle varied from 1735 to 2844 km2 (mean±SE = 2284±250 km2). Although, there was 46% spatial overlap among individual ranges, temporal isolation resulted in the four individuals maintaining seasonal ranges distinctly separate from each other. This collective area encompassed 4970 km2 and equaled about 31% and 18% of Bathurst Island and the Bathurst Island complex, respectively. Individual wintering areas formed a relatively small portion of each individual's annual range (mean±SE=71±17 km2): 24 km2, 158 days of occupation, <1% of the annual area; 70 km2, 187 days, 4%; 95 km2, 200 days, 4%; and 94 km2, 172 days, 6%. Seasonal movements were greatest during pre-rut and pre-calving.

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