Abstract
In winter 1981 - 82, a 29-km road system was built in a high-use caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) calving area near Milne Point, Alaska. Aerial surveys of this area were conducted annually during the calving period for 4 years before and 4 years after road construction. Effects of the road system on the distribution of caribou were investigated by comparing survey data obtained during these two periods. The 41 400-ha study area was partitioned into 40 quadrats; after construction (1982 - 85), significantly fewer caribou were observed within quadrats encompassing the present road system than before construction (1978 - 81). The area within 6 km of the road system was stratified into six 1-km intervals, and differences in the distribution of caribou among those strata were examined using linear regression analysis. After construction, the density of maternal females was positively correlated with distance, whereas no such relationship was apparent before construction. Density of nonmaternal adults was unrelated to distance during both periods. The results suggest that a local displacement of maternal caribou has occurred in response to roads and associated human activity.
Highlights
The Central Arctic Herd ( C A H ) is a distinct subpopulation of ca. 13 000 caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti)
Fewer caribou were near the present road system after construction than before construction
The median percentage of caribou in the seven road quadrats was significantly different between 1978 - 81 and 1982 - 85 (8.5 vs. 2.0%, T = 26.0, P = 0.03)
Summary
The Central Arctic Herd ( C A H ) is a distinct subpopulation of ca. 13 000 caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) Seasonal movements are principally north-south between wintering areas in the Brooks Range and calving grounds/summer range on the Arctic Coastal Plain (Cameron and Whitten, 1979). In winter 1981 - 82, CONOCO , Inc. built 29 km of gravel road as the initial phase of petroleum development within the Milne Point Production Unit (Fig. 1). This complex is approximately centered on one of two known C A H calving concentration areas (Whitten and Cameron, 1985). In winter 1984 - 85, a single pipeline 35 cm in diameter and approximately 1.8 m above ground was erected adjacent to the Milne Point Road, and a 300-person housing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
