Muskox status, recent variation, and uncertain future.

Christine Cuyler,Bjørnar Ytrehus,Steeve D Côté,Susan Kutz,Niels Martin Schmidt,Barrie Ford,Jesper Bruun Mosbacher,Tracy Davison,Anne Gunn,Mike Suitor,H Dean Cluff,Fabien Mavrot,Matilde Tomaselli,Mathieu Dumond,Janice E Rowell ,И М Охлопков ,Patricia E Reynolds ,Mark C Anderson ,Alexander Gruzdev ,Lisa‐Marie Leclerc ,Т П Сипко ,Conor D Mallory ,Sylvia Checkley ,John E Blake ,P Hope Jones ,Tord Bretten,Mitch Campbell,Vincent Brodeur,Jan Adamczewski

doi:10.1007/s13280-019-01205-x

Abstract

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are an integral component of Arctic biodiversity. Given low genetic diversity, their ability to respond to future and rapid Arctic change is unknown, although paleontological history demonstrates adaptability within limits. We discuss status and limitations of current monitoring, and summarize circumpolar status and recent variations, delineating all 55 endemic or translocated populations. Acknowledging uncertainties, global abundance is ca 170 000 muskoxen. Not all populations are thriving. Six populations are in decline, and as recently as the turn of the century, one of these was the largest population in the world, equaling ca 41% of today’s total abundance. Climate, diseases, and anthropogenic changes are likely the principal drivers of muskox population change and result in multiple stressors that vary temporally and spatially. Impacts to muskoxen are precipitated by habitat loss/degradation, altered vegetation and species associations, pollution, and harvest. Which elements are relevant for a specific population will vary, as will their cumulative interactions. Our summaries highlight the importance of harmonizing existing data, intensifying long-term monitoring efforts including demographics and health assessments, standardizing and implementing monitoring protocols, and increasing stakeholder engagement/contributions.

Highlights

For the past 50 years, the Arctic has been warming twice as fast as the rest of the world creating a climate that today is warmer, wetter, and increasingly more variable (AMAP 2017)
This paper focuses on the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), a large-bodied herbivore that plays a central role in many Arctic ecosystems
Of all the Focal Ecosystem Component (FEC) attributes prioritized for terrestrial mammals in the Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Monitoring Plan (Christensen et al 2013), estimates of muskox abundance comprise the most extensive data available both geographically and temporally

Summary

INTRODUCTION

For the past 50 years, the Arctic has been warming twice as fast as the rest of the world creating a climate that today is warmer, wetter, and increasingly more variable (AMAP 2017). Muskoxen have an intrinsic connection with the culture, traditions, and heritage of Arctic indigenous peoples, a connection that continues to evolve (Tomaselli et al 2018a). They are an important food resource in an area of increasing food insecurity and they provide diverse economic opportunities where few exist (Kutz et al 2017). Subspecies CAFF Arctic zone Last survey year Population sizea Recent variation. Prince of Wales/Somerset Island includes Russell, Prescott, and Pandora Islands hHarvest management induced decline i2016, An additional 60 muskoxen were translocated from the Aviary (captive breeding facility) j2017-Survey method permitted more accurate count than previously, not assumed an increase in herd size k2017, An additional 22 muskoxen translocated to the Lena River Delta 1Although muskoxen have been released several times (most recently in 2010), bears/humans cause high mortality

METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

KEY FINDINGS AND NEXT STEPS