Ecology Of Reindeer On Hagemeister Island, Alaska Item Type Thesis Authors Stimmelmayr, Raphaela Download date 23/09/2021 12:58:50 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/11122/8515 INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. Hie quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improperalignment can adversely afreet reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. 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Ecology of Reindeer on Hagemeister Island, Alaska by Raphaela Stimmelmayr RECOMMENDED: Advisory Committee, Chair c — Department Head APPROVED: 3ean, School a m Agriculture and Land Resources Management n of the Graduate School Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Ecology of Reindeer on Hagemelster Island, Alaska Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Partial Fullfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Raphaela Stimmelmayr, DVM 1988 Fairbanks, Alaska December 1994 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1361136 Copyright 1995 by Stimmelmayr, Raphaela All rights reserved. UMI Microform 1361136 Copyright 1995, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate and characterize the factors driving the Hagemeister Island reindeer population. A total of 144 reindeer were introduced to Hagemeister Island in 1965 and 1967. The herd initially increased in size to about 1, 000 head and then fluctuated around 800 animals. In 1991-1992, a moderate winter die-off of primarily adult bulls (> 90%) occurred. Adverse snow conditions and poor post rut conditions of bulls appeared to have facilitated the die-off. No conclusive evidence was found that the herd experienced effects of density-dependent food limitation despite poor winter lichen range. In 1993, conception was documented in calves and overall pregnancy rate was approximately 70%. Body size and condition was comparable to other arctic island reindeer herds. This suggests that reindeer on Hagemeister Island do not solely depend on lichen during winter but utilize other forages. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contents Page Abstract .......................................... iii Table of Contents ............................... iv List of Figures ................................. viii List of Tables .................................. ix List of Plants ................................. xii List of Animals ................................. xiii List of Abbreviations and Acronyms .......... xiv List of Model Symbols ........................... xv Acknowledgments ................................... xvi Chapter 1. Introduction ........................... 1 Historical Background............................ 1 Theories Behind Population Dynamics............... 2 What Drives Population Dynamics?................. 4 Density-Dependent Resource Limitations of High-Arctic Rangifer ............................ 5 Winter Range ................................. 5 Summer Range Physical and Reproductive Attributes of Reindeer. 8 Body Weight and Composition .................. 9 Reproductive Biology ......................... 11 Is the Reindeer Population on Hagemeister Island Limited by Winter Lichen Range in a Density-Dependent Manner?......................... 13 Objectives ....................................... 16 Chapter 2. Study Area ............................. 17 Island Topography ............................... 17 Climate .......................................... 17 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Vegetation ........................................ 18 Wildlife ......................................... 18 Chapter 3. 1991-1992 Winter Mortality of Reindeer on Hagemeister Island ................. 25 Methods 2 6 Results ........................................... 27 Discussion ....................................... 29 Chapter 4. The Reproductive Characteristics of Reindeer on Hagemeister Island................ 33 Methods .......................................... 34 Reproductive Analysis ......................... 34 Animal Behavior ............................... 36 Statistical Analysis .......................... 37 Results ........................................... 37 Animal Behavior ............................... 37 Reproductive Analysis ......................... 37 Body Condition .............................. 37 Lactational Status ......................... 38 Luteal Activity ............................ 38 Follicular Activity ......................... 39 Reproductive Pathology ...................... 39 Development of Fetus ........................ 40 Discussion ....................................... 41 Timing of Conception .......................... 41 Productivity .................................. 42 Chapter 5. Body Condition and Weight of Reindeer on Hagemeister Island ............................ 57 Methods ........................................... 58 V Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Statistical Analysis .......................... 59 Results ........................................... 59 Body Weight .................................... 59 Carcass Weights and Indices of Condition .... 59 Fat Reserves ................................... 60 Internal Organs ............................... 60 Skeletal Size .................................. 60 Discussion ........................................ 60 Sexual Dimorphism ............................ 60 Seasonality of Body Condition ............... 61 Body Weights and Size ..........................63 Chapter 6. Population Dynamics of Reindeer on Hagemeister Island ...... ......................... 7 6 Methods ........................................... 77 Statistical Analysis ...........................77 Simulation Model ............................. 77 Population Size .............................. 78 Sex Ratio and Fecundity ..................... 78 Mortality .................................... 80 Calves .................................... 81 Adults and Yearling ...................... 82 Annual Harvest ........................... 82 Equations ..................................... 84 Sensitivity Analysis ......................... 85 Results ..... 86 Population Estimates .......................... 86 Censuses ..................................... 86 Simulation Model ............................ 87 Mortality ..................................... 87 Causes of Mortality ......................... 87 Pathological Conditions ..................... 88 vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Social Organization, Distribution, and Group Size .............................. 89 Discussion ....................................... 90 Social Organization, Distribution, and Group Size ............................... 90 Population Dynamics of Reindeer on Hagemeister Island ........................... 91 Censuses .................................... 91 Simulation Model ........................... 92 Chapter 7. Synthesis ............................. 110 What Factors Drive Rangifer Populations? ....... 110 Reindeer on Hagemeister Island .................. Ill Hagemeister Island Range ........................ 112 Management ....................................... 113 Native Reindeer Herders ..................... 113 Agencies .................................... 113 Is There a Scientific Case for Management of Reindeer on Hagemeister Island? ................. 114