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Cuyler C, Rowell J, Adamczewski J, Anderson M, Blake J, Bretten T, Brodeur V, Campbell M, Checkley SL, Cluff HD, Côté SD, Davison T, Dumond M, Ford B, Gruzdev A, Gunn A, Jones P, Kutz S, Leclerc LM, Mallory C, Mavrot F, Mosbacher JB, Okhlopkov IM, Reynolds P, Schmidt NM, Sipko T, Suitor M, Tomaselli M, Ytrehus B. Muskox status, recent variation, and uncertain future. AMBIO 2020; 49:805-819. [PMID: 31187429 PMCID: PMC6989413 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Cuyler
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Janice Rowell
- School of Natural Resources and Extension, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA
| | - Jan Adamczewski
- Wildlife Division, Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories, PO Box 1320, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9 Canada
| | - Morgan Anderson
- BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development, 2000 South Ospika Blvd, Prince George, BC V2N 4W5 Canada
| | - John Blake
- Animal Resources Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 756980, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA
| | - Tord Bretten
- Norwegian Environment Agency, PO Box 5672 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vincent Brodeur
- Department of Wildlife Management of Northern Québec, Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks of Québec, 951 Hamel Boulevard, Chibougamau, QC G8P 2Z3 Canada
| | - Mitch Campbell
- Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 120, Arviat, NT X0C 0E0 Canada
| | - Sylvia L. Checkley
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6 Canada
| | - H. Dean Cluff
- Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, PO Box 2668, 3803 Bretzlaff Drive, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P9 Canada
| | - Steeve D. Côté
- Département de biologie & Centre for Northern Studies, Université Laval, 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Tracy Davison
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Inuvik Region, PO Box 2749, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 Canada
| | | | - Barrie Ford
- Nunavik Research Centre, Makivik Corporation, PO Box 179, Kuujjuaq, QC J0M 1C0 Canada
| | | | - Anne Gunn
- 368 Roland Road, Salt Spring Island, V8K 1V1 BC Canada
| | - Patrick Jones
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, PO Box 1467, Bethel, AK 99559 USA
| | - Susan Kutz
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6 Canada
| | - Lisa-Marie Leclerc
- Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 377, Kugluktuk, NU X0B 0A2 Canada
| | - Conor Mallory
- Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 209, Iglulik, NU X0A 0L0 Canada
| | - Fabien Mavrot
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6 Canada
| | - Jesper Bruun Mosbacher
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6 Canada
| | - Innokentiy Mikhailovich Okhlopkov
- Institute of Biological Problems of Cryolithozone of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science (IBPC SB RAS), 41 Lenina Ave., Yakutsk, Russia 677980
| | | | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Arctic Research Centre, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Taras Sipko
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, PO Box 11, Moscow, Russia 119071
| | - Mike Suitor
- Inuvialuit and Migratory Caribou, Fish and Wildlife, Environment Yukon, PO Box 600, Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0 Canada
| | - Matilde Tomaselli
- Polar Knowledge Canada, Canadian High Arctic Research Station, 1 Uvajuq Road, PO Box 2150, Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0 Canada
| | - Bjørnar Ytrehus
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
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