Lecture Week 3 Updated - GEO 605 The Canadian North PDF

GEO 605 The Canadian North Lecture #3 Northern Ecology 1 Northern Arctic Ecology is the study of ecosystems in the Arctic with a focus on unique interactions between living organisms - Plants - Animals - Humans - Microorganisms And their physical environment - Climate...

GEO 605 The Canadian North Lecture #3 Northern Ecology 1 Northern Arctic Ecology is the study of ecosystems in the Arctic with a focus on unique interactions between living organisms - Plants - Animals - Humans - Microorganisms And their physical environment - Climate - Soil - Water 2 Northern Arctic Ecosystems Environment Canada classified Canada’s ecosystems or biomes into 15 terrestrial and 5 marine ecozones. 10 of the terrestrial zones and 3 marine zones are located in the north 3  4 Statistics Canada Terrestrial ecozone Key characterises of a Northern Arctic Ecology 1. Extreme climate : long, cold winters and short, cool summers 2. Short Growing Season: vegetation has a limited period to grow and reproduce in short season with low temperatures. Plants adapt to the conditions. Common species are mosses, lichen and tundra shrubs. 3. Permafrost: most of the land in the arctic in underlain by permafrost, a permanently frozen layer of soil. This impacts soil composition, plant growth and the ability of animals to dig for shelter. 4. Specialized Species: Arctic wildlife is highly adapted to extreme conditions : Polar Bears, arctic foxes, seals, walruses, migratory birds, and cold-water fish. 5 5. Food Chains: Primary productivity is low due to limited sunlight and nutrients, but there is a strong reliance on marine ecosystems Phytoplankton's, zooplankton, and ice algae form the base of the marine food web supporting species like fish, seal and polar bears. 6. Climate sensitivity: Arctic ecosystems are extremely sensitive to change in climate. Warming temperatures lead to melting sea ice, thawing permafrost, and shifts in species distributions, which disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. 7. Human Impact: Indigenous communities as well as increase human activity related to resource extraction ( oil, gas, diamond mining) and shipping affect arctic ecology 6 Science-based , place-based, adaptive approach to ecosystem management 8 states 6 working groups 6 permanent participants 6 Working groups 38 observers 7  Arctic States Permanent Participants Working Groups Canada Aleut International Association Arctic Contaminants Action Program Denmark Arctic Athabaskan Council Artic Monitoring & Assessment Programme Finland Gwich’in Council International Conservation of Arctic Flora & Fauna Iceland Inuit Circumpolar Council Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response Norway Russian Association of Indigenous Protection of the Arctic Marine Peoples of the North Environment Russia Saami Council Sustainable Development Working Group Sweden United States Plus : 13 observer countries 13 Intergovernmental and Interparliamentary Organizations 12 Non-governmental Organizations 8 The Arctic Council is an organization working in the global north to protect the environment and people in the north. The have developed a framework for implementing an ecosystem approach to management. The Arctic is perceived as a barren place, but it is home to more the 21,000 species of highly cold-adapted mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates , plants, fungi and microbe species. 9 EA Framework Arctic council Identify Definition: Ecosystem based management is: Describe The comprehensive, integrated management of human activates Ecological objectives Based on best available scientific and traditional Integrated Ecosystem knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics Assessment In order to identify and take action on influences that are critical to the health of ecosystems Valuation Thereby achieving sustainable use of ecosystem good Management actions and services and maintenance of ecosystem integrity 10 Arctic Cordillera Ecozone The Arctic cordillera is the only major mountainous region other than the Rockies. Eastern Baffin Island Devon Islands, most of Ellesmere and Bylot islands. The highest peaks are covered by ice caps and glaciers 11 Hiking Sirmilik National Park January temp -35 c to -35 July 5c 200mm annual precipitation 12 Upper elevations are void of vegetation due to permanent ice and snow. Only mammals found are Polar bears in the coastal regions. Birds can be found in the warmer coastal area Walrus, Bearded Seals, Harbour seals, Ring Seals and Harp Seals, Narwal. Beluga and Orcas 13 Northern Ecozone 1.5million km 2 Most of Nunavut, island of Northwest Territories, and northern portion of Nunavik Very dry annual precipitation 100mm – 200mm January -30 to -35 July 5 to 10 24 arctic ecoregions within the northern Arctic Ecozone 14 The Northern Arctic Ecozone Has 24 ecoregions 15 Lichen dominates the landscape Glaciated landscape with exposed bedrock Variations in the depth of the active layer Much of the area is covered by deposits of glacier moraine. The landscape is subject to repeating freezing and thawing cycles creating a patterned landscape with vivid stripes and circles. Vegetation hugs the ground and difference significantly through the region. Poorly drained lowlands and wetlands are the most diverse areas 16 Peary and Barren-Ground Caribou, Muskox, Wolf, Arctic Wolf. Polar Bear, Arctic Hare, Brown and Collared lemmings Loons, Ptarmigan and Snowy owl Walrus, Bearded Seal, Harp & Harbour Seal, Beluga, Narwhal 17 18 Southern Arctic Ecozone The land portion of the southern zone is separated by Hudson's Bay with to the east and Nunavut, Northwest Territories to the west. Typical arctic climate with long cold winters, and cool summers Mean July temp is 10c Winters temps are variable with a mean of -30 Precipitation ranges from 200mm in the north of the region to 400 in the south 19 The ecozone is a major area of vegetation transition and contains tundra shrublands. Typical shrubs include dwarf birch, willows mixed with herbs and lichens 20 Mammals in the Southern Arctic Ecozone include moose, muskox, wolf, arctic fox, grizzly bear, polar bear, and artic hare. The summer grounds and calving ground of the two largest caribou herds are in the eco zone. The area is a breeding and nesting ground for a variety of birds: arctic and red-throated loons, whistling swans, snow goose, ptarmigan, snowy owl The marine environment includes a variety of whale and seal species. 21 Boreal Cordillera Ecozone The mid-section of the Rocky Mountains: Southern Yukon and northern British Columbia Mountainous with high peaks, extensive plateaux and intermontane plains Long cold winters and short warm summers Mean Jan temp – 15 to -27 Mean July temps 12 to 15 400+ mm precipitation on the intermontane plains. Extremely high precipitation in the west with 1000mm - 15000 in the east 22 Boreal forest: white spruce, black spruce, alpine fir, pine, aspen, balsam poplar, white birch Mammal’s: woodland caribou, moose, Dall’s sheep, mountain goat, black bear, grizzly bear, marten, lynx and American pika 23 Taiga Cordillera Ecozone Northern extent of the Rocky Mountain System steep sharply etches ridges, narrow valley Northern portion of Yukon and southwest Northwest Territories Climate is dry and cold Annual mean precipitation 300mm Mean Jan temp – 5 to -30c Mean July temp 12 to 15c 24 Mammals: Dall’s sheep, woodland and barren-ground caribou, moose , mountain goats, black bears, grizzly bears, lynx, arctic ground squirrel, American pika, wolverine Bird Gyrfalcon and willow ptarmigan 25 Taiga Plains Ecozone Western portion of Northwest Territories, northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta. Semi-arid and cold. Precipitation ranges from 200mm in the north to 400mm in the south Mean January temp -22.5 c to -35 c Mean July temp 10 – 15 c The north – typical tundra Dwarf birch, labrador tea, mossed, sedges. The south upland foothill area are warmer: white and black spruce, tamarack, white spruce polar, pine. 26 Mammals: Moose, woodland caribou, bison, walk , black bear, marten, lynx. Wood Buffalo National Park Reserve 44,807 km 2 The largest national park in Canada: boreal forest and plains. Some of the largest undisturbed grass and sedge meadows. 27 Taiga Shield Ecozone Like the Southern Arctic ecozone the Taiga shield is split by Hudson’s Bay Eastern portion includes central Quebec ( Nunavik) and Labrador. Western portion northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and a portion of southern Nunavut and southern central Northwest Territories. Climate : subarctic continental with low precipitation 175 – 200 mm Mean January temp -17.5c to -27.5c Mean July temp 7.5c to 17.5 c 28 The northern end of the zone is the poleward limits of the tree growth are limited. The forest stand are open and form lichen woodland which flow into the open tundra. The central portion is unproductive with stunted coniferous and deciduous stands of black spruce, alders, willows and tamarack in fens and bogs. Mammals: barrenground caribou, limited woodland caribou, moose, wolf, snowshoe hare, black bear, grizzly bear 29  Hudson Plains Ecozone The largest wetlands in Canada are distributed throughout Hudson Plains Centred in northern Ontario , western Quebec, and northeastern Manitoba. Influenced by the cold and moisture of Hudson’s Bay Jan mean – 19c James Bay Lowlands July mean 12 to 16 c Mammals: woodland caribou, moose, black bear, polar bear, marten, arctic fox and fisher 30 Canada goose, peregrine falcon Mammals: walrus, bearded seal, harbour seal, ringed seal 31 Arctic Tundra in general across ecozones The growing season ranges 50 – 60 days Desert like conditions with 15 – 25 cm including melting snow Average summer temperature 3 – 12 c° Average winter temperature -34c° Soil is formed slowly above the permafrost layer. The permafrost layer is usually comprised of gravel and finer material 32 When the top layer thaws it can become saturate with bogs and ponds forming. Plants have shallow root systems, however there are approx. 1,700 plants that are able to resist the cold climate which include: Low shrubs, sedges, reindeer mosses, liverworts and grasses 400 variety of flowers Crustose and foliose lichen 33  The plants have adapted to the near constant wind and soil disturbances. They are low to the ground, clump together and have thick rubbery like leaves ( like succulents) Photosynthesis occurs at lower temperatures and lower light intensity. Most plants reproduce by budding and division rather the through pollination. 34 Polar Journal, The Tundra biome, UC Berkeley Animals have adapted to survive long cold winters and to breed and raise young quickly in the short summer months. Some hibernate in the winter months while others immigrate south Animals and birds have added fat for insulation for the cold. 35 Caribou ranges in Canada 36 37 Caribou are vital to the health of arctic ecozones There are a variety of caribou in different ecozones. Borel Caribou are found in 9 provinces and NT 38 Southern Mountain Caribou 39 Southernmost caribou in Canada Subpopulations in northern British Columbia, Alberta and southern Yukon. Southern Central and Northern are distinct subpopulations Northern Groups: Chase, Wolverine, Graham Southern caribou have distinct habitat use patterns migrating between high and low elevations to access food and separate them from predators, disturbances and insects ( mosquitos, deer flies, black flies, horse flies). They need areas of large undisturbed connected regions of habitat to live. Southern caribou are well adapted to the snowy environments in the mountains. 40 Southern mountain caribou are in important part of the forest ecosystem. Maintaining their habitat is important to a host of other species including migratory birds. In 2003 they were added to the Species at Risk Act Three subgroups updated status as of 2-14 Northern subgroup : Graham, Special concern Central subgroup: Pine River, Endangered Southern subgroup: Quintette, Endangered 41 Peary Caribou The smallest caribou subspecies. In the winter they are mostly white except for their back which can be brown. Their summer coat is grey on the back with white legs and underbelly 42 Peary caribou Native to Northwest Territories, Nunavut. Their habitat is above the treeline on the tundra. Peary caribou usually have long- distance , regular migrations using sea ice to move between islands Subgroups : Banks: Victoria Western: Queen Elizabeth Eastern: Queen Elizabeth Prince of Wales: Somerset-Boothia 43 During the summer months they eat willow, flowers, herbs, grasses and sedges 44 Barren ground Caribou 45 Barren-Ground Caribou Herds 46 Barren-ground Caribou are found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan & Manitoba. They require large ranges, due to shifts in their Arctic and sub-Arctic environments like changes in snow cover, plant growth and predators. The make long –distance , yearly migrations and gather in large groups at common calving locations in the spring. In the summer they seek cool, damp and windy habitats that provide high-quality forage and low exposure to biting insects 47 In spring ( June) female ( cows ) and calves from the previous year travel north to the calving grounds. Cows gather and have their young within a few weeks. The calving time and location coincides with the greening of the tundra and flora is available and at the peak of nutrients. Non-pregnant cows and young bulls move north followed by adult bulls. In the summer the live together on the tundra Near the end of summer and early fall they all move south towards the treeline while feeding and preparing for mating seaosn 48 The fall is mating season. In the winter, mature bulls live separately from cows and calves within the forest. Barren ground Caribou move around depending on the availability of food. They are threatened by habitat loss, disturbances, containments, climate change, disease and predation 49  Barren-Ground Caribou Population Change 50 Canada Caribou barren-ground population 2016 https://accwm.com/management-plan 51 52 https://oaarchive.arctic- council.org/browse/dateissued?scope=44ca58c0-1b1d- 4a3c-994a-cbea09e467d4&bbm.page=2 53 What happen to the Beverly Caribou 54 Adamczewski et al 2015 https://accwm.com/management-plan 55  56 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut 57  58 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut  59 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut  60 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut  61 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut  62 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut  63 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut  64 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut  65 Summary:2007 Barren-ground Caribou Calving Distribution Surveys, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Woodland caribou live in the boreal forest, boreal plain and boreal shield. The overlap with Barren ground Caribou in the northern portion of the boreal shield 66 Woodland Caribou are the largest of the caribou subspecies at 1 – 1.2 metres tall Their head and legs are longer than Barren ground Caribou Woodland live in undisrupted , mature old-growth forest. The major food source is lichen and abundant. In the summer they graze grass, moss, willow leaves and other plants. The are non-migratory and live in small groups of approx. 15 If there are disturbances in the area the relocate to another spot with their range making connectivity between habitats crucial 67 Females travel to an isolated area where food is abundant and there are few predators to calve. Male and females live together in groups, but females live separately during calving. Woodland Caribou have been listed on the Canadian Species at Risk Act since 2003 68 Both Barren ground and Woodland Caribou have similarities: Lifespan 4.5 – 15 years Crescent shaped hooves to navigate through snow, water and soft ground. In the winter their hooves get hard on the outside and soft in the inside and grow hair to protect them from the cold. In the summer the hard part of the hooves get worn from walking on hard surfaces and the padding that was covered in hair in the winter grow to help them walk in swampy area In caribou sense danger, they release a scent 69 Their antlers are thick and broad they grow for a year and then lose them. Males lose theirs after mating in the fall and females lose theirs in the spring after they give birth 70  Woodland caribou population status 71 https://www.pembina.org/pub/status-boreal-woodland-caribou-conservation-canada “ Come by and eat. Caribou meat, feel free to stop by and eat freshly cooked heads and legs. 72 June 2024 “ Mom cooking outside : Caribou legs, head and hooves. 73 74  Polar Bears 2/3 of the global population is found in Canada The worlds southernmost population is along the coast of James Bay 75 https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/featured-species/mammals/polar-bear Largest of the bear species Largest land carnivore Long narrow head with a black snout The fur is water resistant Fur covers the pads on their paws insulating their feet 76 Males can weigh up to 800 kilograms and 2.8 metres in length Females can weigh up to 400 kilograms and 2.5 metres in length Strong sharp claws and slightly webbed paws 77 78 During the winter they are found along the flow edge They hunt seal who also live along the edge The eat ringed seal but will eat whale other seal The can consume up to 46 kilos of food in one meal 79 Threats to polar bears: Climate change Exposure to contaminates Resource industry activates Humans 80 Halloween Bear Patrol Before sunset Churchill is scanned from a helicopter to look for bears. The noise usually chases them away. The streets are patrolled in teams of two in trucks and ATVS to watch for bears who wander into town 81 A fed bear is a Dead Bear 82 Arviat, Nu June 2019 A bear hide drying in the sun 83