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The
Porcupine Caribou Herd |
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This
atlas is an introduction to the Porcupine Caribou herd and the lands on
which they roam, which is about 290,000 sq. km. The Porcupine Caribou herd
is a large population of approximately 123,000 barren-ground caribou that
annually migrate throughout the northern Yukon, Alaska and the Northwest
Territories. |
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The
caribou have been important to the northern Yukon's natural environment
for thousands of years. In fact, the Yukon’s northern ecosystem is
defined in part by the Porcupine Caribou herd. |
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As
such, the herd is considered to be an indicator of wildlife sustainability
in the Northern Yukon. The northern ecosystem is a delicate balance between
the species that inhabit the area. Caribou and other herbivores depend on
the vegetation for survival, while wolves, grizzly bears and golden eagles
rely on the herd and other herbivores as a food source. Also, for thousands
of years, the herd has been and continues to be a mainstay for sixteen First
Nation communities living in and around the range of the herd. |
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For
the caribou herd, their calving grounds are where they are most sensitive
to disturbance. As such, much of their calving grounds have been designated
as protected areas, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
However, there are proposals to allow for oil exploration in the 1002
area of ANWR, which may affect the size and condition of the herd. Another
potential threat to the continued survival of the Porcupine herd is increasing
global temperatures. |
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Group
8 : Brandi Smithson : Anthony Jjumba : Geog 351 : Fall 06
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