Are the Jameson Land muskoxen, Northeast Greenland, in decline?

Nicolas Gaidet,Tanguy Daufresne

doi:10.7557/2.39.1.4424

Abstract

The Jameson Land region contains the largest muskox population in Northeast Greenland. In the period 1980-1990, late winter population size averaged 3,645. A late winter 2000 survey estimated ca. 1,705 muskoxen. Although no further late winter surveys for muskox abundance have occurred since, there have been two summer bird surveys, which recorded incidental observations of muskoxen, i.e., 607 in 2008 and 610 in 2009. We report on muskox observations obtained in a subarea of Jameson Land during the summer 2016 ground survey for birds. Although in the 1982-2000 period this subarea averaged 1,153 ± 346 muskoxen, we observed 138 individuals and a low calf number. The few muskoxen observed and poor calf production suggest population decline. We briefly discuss possible factors that could influence muskox mortality and population abundance. Surveys specific to muskoxen are necessary to ascertain current population abundance, demographics and trend.

Highlights

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are endemic to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Canada, and to northern and north-eastern Greenland (Gunn & Forchhammer, 2008)
We report on muskox observations obtained in a subarea of Jameson Land during the summer 2016 ground survey for birds
Material and methods The Jameson Land is a vast peninsula of about 10,000 km2, extending from 70°30’to 72°00’N (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are endemic to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Canada, and to northern and north-eastern Greenland (Gunn & Forchhammer, 2008). After extirpation from large parts of its former range during the 19th and 20th centuries, the species has spontaneously recovered part of its range in the circumpolar region (Gunn & Forchhammer, 2008). Jameson Land, in north-eastern Greenland, is a stronghold for muskoxen (Boertmann et al, 1992). In the period 1982 to 1990, in late winter, muskoxen were monitored annually in Jameson Land by unsystematic aerial counts. Numbers averaged 3,645 ± 617 muskoxen, with a maximum of 4,679 and a minimum of 2,871 (Aastrup & Mosbech, 2000). A decade later, in 2000 a further late winter aerial survey

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Conclusion