Understanding the Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Ungulates in North America
Ungulates, or hoofed mammals such as elk, deer, and moose, occupy a diversity of habitats across North America, from Canada’s high arctic to the deserts of Mexico. Ungulates play an important ecological role, helping to regulate processes such as nutrient cycling in forests and grasslands, through their grazing activities. They are also economically and culturally important, providing recreational and subsistence hunting opportunities and non-consumptive, aesthetic values. Yet throughout their range, ungulates face numerous anthropogenic and environmental threats that have the potential to impact populations and their ability to move across the landscape. Of these threats, an improved understanding of the effects of changing climate conditions is a key information need. Climate is an important driver of ungulate population dynamics and migration, and can affect the growth, development, and demographic trends of populations, as well as the timing and locations of migratory movements.
Through two phases, this project seeks to (1) identify management needs and science priorities related to ungulate migration in the western U.S., and (2) map the abundance and distribution of scientific evidence on the effects of climate variability and change on ungulates across North America. In phase one, we conducted an initial assessment of climate impacts, state and federal management priorities, and science needs related to the migration of three ungulates species in the western U.S. – elk, pronghorn, and mule deer. These three species were the focus of Secretarial Order 3362, which directs the Department of the Interior to work with state wildlife agencies to improve ungulate winter range and migration corridor habitats. In phase two, we are mapping the scope of the existing literature on how climate variability and change affect the 12 ungulate species native to North America. This exercise will allow us to identify where clusters of information exist and where there are gaps in information, across species, populations, and geographies. For example, we will be able to answer questions such as, how is the information on climate effects distributed across the 12 species? Is there more information for some geographic regions compared to others? Has research focused more on the effects of climate on population dynamics or on migration?
The results of phase two, combined with the initial assessment of management priorities and science needs from phase one, will provide us with a clearer picture of the state-of-the-science on ungulates and climate change. This information can then be used to inform future research efforts directed at addressing knowledge gaps and to support management planning that considers the potential effects of changing climate conditions on ungulates.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 5f04d23382ce21d4c3f89d45)
Katherine C. Malpeli
Biologist, National CASC
Sarah Weiskopf, Ph.D.
Biologist, National CASC
Laura Thompson, Ph.D.
Research Ecologist, National CASC
Ungulates, or hoofed mammals such as elk, deer, and moose, occupy a diversity of habitats across North America, from Canada’s high arctic to the deserts of Mexico. Ungulates play an important ecological role, helping to regulate processes such as nutrient cycling in forests and grasslands, through their grazing activities. They are also economically and culturally important, providing recreational and subsistence hunting opportunities and non-consumptive, aesthetic values. Yet throughout their range, ungulates face numerous anthropogenic and environmental threats that have the potential to impact populations and their ability to move across the landscape. Of these threats, an improved understanding of the effects of changing climate conditions is a key information need. Climate is an important driver of ungulate population dynamics and migration, and can affect the growth, development, and demographic trends of populations, as well as the timing and locations of migratory movements.
Through two phases, this project seeks to (1) identify management needs and science priorities related to ungulate migration in the western U.S., and (2) map the abundance and distribution of scientific evidence on the effects of climate variability and change on ungulates across North America. In phase one, we conducted an initial assessment of climate impacts, state and federal management priorities, and science needs related to the migration of three ungulates species in the western U.S. – elk, pronghorn, and mule deer. These three species were the focus of Secretarial Order 3362, which directs the Department of the Interior to work with state wildlife agencies to improve ungulate winter range and migration corridor habitats. In phase two, we are mapping the scope of the existing literature on how climate variability and change affect the 12 ungulate species native to North America. This exercise will allow us to identify where clusters of information exist and where there are gaps in information, across species, populations, and geographies. For example, we will be able to answer questions such as, how is the information on climate effects distributed across the 12 species? Is there more information for some geographic regions compared to others? Has research focused more on the effects of climate on population dynamics or on migration?
The results of phase two, combined with the initial assessment of management priorities and science needs from phase one, will provide us with a clearer picture of the state-of-the-science on ungulates and climate change. This information can then be used to inform future research efforts directed at addressing knowledge gaps and to support management planning that considers the potential effects of changing climate conditions on ungulates.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 5f04d23382ce21d4c3f89d45)