Chapter 4 - Caribou

Abstract

Barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are an important component of the arctic landscape in Alaska because of their high value to subsistence and sport hunters, indigenous Native cultures, the general public, and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. For many people, caribou also have come to symbolize the wilderness character of the Arctic, and the well-being of their populations often is regarded as an indicator of the health of arctic ecosystems. Thus, maintaining viable, healthy herds is a priority issue, and caribou figure prominently in landuse decisions in arctic Alaska. This chapter presents an overview of the population status, life history, distribution, abundance, and responses to human activities of caribou in arctic Alaska, emphasizing the Central Arctic Herd (CAH).