Neria & Qassit caribou minimum count and herd structure in 2000, Paamiut, West Greenland. Technical Report No. 48

1 Christine Cuyler, Michael Rosing, John D.C.Linnell, Pipaluk M. Lund, Anne Loison & Arild Landa Neria & Qassit caribou minimum count & herd structure in 2000 Paamiut, West Greenland Technical Report No. 48, 2004 Pinngortitaleriffik x Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Title: Neria & Qassit caribou minimum count and herd structure in 2000, Paamiut, West Greenland. Authors: Christine Cuyler1, Michael Rosing1, John Linnell2, Pipaluk M. Lund3, Anne Loison4 & Arild Landa1&2 1 Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 570, DK – 3900 Nuuk, Greenland 2 Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, Tungasletta 2, 7485 Trondheim, Norway 3 Technical Division, City Hall, 2080 Eidsvoll Norway 4 UMR – CNRS 5558, Laboratoire de Biometrie et Biologie Evolutive, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France Funding: DANCEA, Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic – Ministry of Environment and Energy, Strandgade 29, Copenhagen K, Denmark Series: Technical Report No. 48, 2004 Publisher: Pinngortitaleriffik, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Cover photo: Female caribou in winter. Photographer: Christine Cuyler ISBN: 87-90024-87-7 ISSN: 1397-3657 Editor: Lene Therkildsen, Milik Publishing Reference: Cuyler, C., M. Rosing, J.D.C. Linnell, P.M. Lund, A. Loison, & A. Landa, 2004. Neria & Qassit caribou minimum count and herd structure in 2000, Paamiut, West Greenland. Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Technical Report No. 48. 46 pp. Available from: The report is only available in electronic format. You can download a PDF-file of the report at this homepage http://www.natur.gl/publikationer/tekniske rapporter It is possible to achieve a print of the report here: Pinngortitaleriffik, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources P.O. Box 570 DK-3900 Nuuk Greenland Phone: +299 36 12 00 Fax: +299 36 12 12 E-mail: [email protected] www.natur.gl 2 Contents Summary 4 Imaqarniliornera 5 Sammendrag 8 Introduction 10 Methods 12 Local knowledge & involvement 12 Helicopter reconnaissance objectives 12 Helicopter reconnaissance for caribou distribution, minimum count and herd structure 12 Sex & age criteria 15 Study Areas 15 Results 16 Local knowledge 16 Aerial reconnaissance logistics 17 Caribou minimum count 17 Herd structure & recruitment 18 Neria caribou distribution and density 18 Qassit caribou distribution 18 Discussion 19 Neria herd – south region Paamiut 19 Qassit herd – north region Paamiut 21 Implications for caribou harvest 22 Acknowledgements 22 References 24 Appendix 1: Local Knowledge 26 Appendix 2: Aerial reconnaissance 2000 data for Neria & Qassit caribou populations in region Paamiut West Greenland 31 Appendix 3: List of terms 40 Appendix 4: Recommendations for the future 42 Appendix 5: “Guesstimate” for Neria caribou population 2000 45 3 Summary Caribou herd size, structure, recruitment and distribution in the Paamiut region were last investigated in 1995. To obtain information on current conditions, this study first documented local knowledge about the two caribou herds, Neria and Qassit, in the Paamiut region. Hunter interviews and community meetings were held. The knowledge gained structured the subsequent aerial reconnaissance for caribou minimum count, herd structure, autumn recruitment rates (calves/100 cows) and distribution. The helicopter reconnaissance took place between 28 September and 4 October 2000. As per local hunter instructions a series of spaghetti transects were flown over the ranges of Neria and Qassit herds. A fresh snow layer covered the terrain for all flights and greatly improved caribou sightability, since the presence of fresh tracks allowed rapid localization of actual animals. Neria herd (south Paamiut) The minimum count for Neria was 332 caribou. Highest densities were found midway between the Davis Strait coast and the Greenland Ice Cap. Average density for the minimum count area surveyed, 180 km2, was c. 2.2 ± 3.0 SD caribou/km2. Maximum density was c. 14 caribou/km2 and occurred on transect 17. Average group size was 4.1 caribou. Calf percentage was 29.8%. The sex ratio was 1.4 cows for every bull. Autumn recruitment was 72.2 calves/100 cows. Annual natural mortality (8-10%) on the minimum count may be between 27-33 animals. Qassit herd (north Paamiut) The minimum count for Qassit was 196 caribou. Most caribou were observed north of the large lake Kangaarsuup tasersua. Average density for the minimum count area surveyed, 202 km2, was c. 0.9 ±2.2 SD caribou/km2. Maximum density was c. 12 caribou/km2 and occurred on transect 43. Average group size was 4.4 caribou. Calf percentage was 32.2%. The sex ratio was 1.6 cows for every bull. Autumn recruitment was 77 calves/100 cows. Annual natural mortality (8-10%) on the minimum count may be between 16-20 animals. Conclusions This reconnaissance data did not allow a calculation of population size for either the Neria or Qassit herds, because areas where maximum caribou were expected were preferentially sampled. Both herds show high autumn calf recruitment, and local opinion believes the caribou are more numerous than ever before. It is possible that both the Neria and Qassit herds are increasing in size, given the 4 excellent recruitment, bull to cow ratio, good vegetation, lack of predators and the low hunting pressure during the 1990s. Without the newly fallen snow, sighting caribou would have been almost impossible in the otherwise difficult terrain cover, which included a multitude of glacial erratics (boulders of all sizes), specifically caribou sized. Caribou abundance investigations will always be hampered by these erratics, which reduce caribou sightability. The helicopter flight altitude of 30 metres (100 feet) improved sightability of the caribou and therefore this altitude is recommended for future surveys. The prospect for future surveys in the traditional sense, i.e., strip or line transect surveys, was judged to be poor due to several features of the caribou and the terrain. Steep-sided valleys dominate the terrain, and the amount of available habitat changes dramatically within short distances. When this is added to the low density and clumped distribution of these caribou the result is two populations for which it is difficult to get an absolute number estimate unless financing is greatly increased. Greater funding would allow more helicopter time, which would increase area coverage and allow a randomization of transects. Alternately, an index of abundance is possible if the reconnaissance described here is repeated, i.e., provided that it is possible to do the same flights in the same season with new snow cover. The collection of local knowledge provided information about current caribou distribution and relative abundance, and the implementation of local knowledge and instructions from local hunters designed this reconnaissance. Further cooperation between locals and investigators is recommended. Imaqarniliornera Paamiut pigisaani tuttoqassuseq, qanoq innerat, piaqqiornerat siammarsimanerallu kingullermik 1995-imi misissorneqarput. Pissutsit maannakkorpiaq qanoq innerat paasiniarlugu misissuinerit aallartivinnginnerini Paamiut pigisaani Neriami Qassimilu tuttut pillugit taqqavanermiut ilisimasaat paasiniaqqaarneqarput. Piniartut apersorneqarput innuttaasunillu ataatsimiititsisoqarluni. Ilisimalikkat pissarsiarineqartut kingusinnerusukkut qulimiguulik atorlugu ikinnerpaassusiliiniarluni kisitsinermi aammalu ataatsimoortukkuutaat kisinneqarnerinut, ukiarnerani amerleriaatinut (kulavaat 100-gaangata norraat qassit) aammalu tuttut siammarsimassussaannut misissuinernut tunngaviupput. 5 Qulimiguulimmik qulangiuaarineq pivoq 28. septemberimiit 4. oktoberip tungaanut. Taqqavani piniartut ilitsersuinerat aallaavigalugu Neriami Qassinilu tuttunik kisitsisoqarpoq nunap ilusaa naapertorlugu qulangiuaarisoqarluni. Ingerlaarfigisat tamarmik apeqqammisarsimapput taamaalilluni tuttut sumiinnerat paasiniassallugu ajornannginnerulerluni, tussarneqariaannaammatami. Neriami tuttut (Paamiut kujataa) Neriami tuttut ikinnerpaamik 332-upput. Amerlanerit Davis Strædep sineriaaniit sermersuup killingata tungaanut qeqqata missaani nassaassaapput. Misissuiffigisami ikinnerpaamik kisitat agguaqatigiissillugu amerlaqatigiikkuutaarnerat tassaavoq 180 km2, 2,2 ± 3,0 SD tuttut/km2-imut.. Amerlaqatigiikkuutaani amerlanerpaat tassaapput tuttut 14 /km2 missaa, tukimoortumi 17-imi nassaarineqartut. Tuttut ataatsimoortukkuutaat amerlassusaasa agguaqatigiissinneri tassaapput tuttut 4,1-it. Norraat 29,8%- iupput. Suiaassutsini agguaqatigiinneri tassaapput pannermut ataatsimut kulavaat 1,4 . Ukiaanerani amerliartuaarneri tassaapput kulavannut 100-nut norraat 72,2-t. Ikinnerpaassusiliiniarluni kisitsinermi ukiumut nappaammit/utoqqalinermit toqussutaasartut (8-10%) nersutit 27-t 33-llu akornanniissasut naatsorsuutigineqarput. Qassini tuttut (Paamiut avannaa) Qassini tuttut ikinnerpaamik 196-iupput. Kangaarsuup tasersuata avannaani tuttut amerlanerpaat takuneqarput. Misissuiffigisami ikinnerpaamik kisitat agguaqatigiissillugu amerlaqatigiikkuutaarneri tassaavoq 202 km2, 0,9 ±2,2 SD tuttut/km2-imi missaat, tukimoortumi 43-mi nassaarineqartut. Tuttut ataatsimoortukkuutaat amerlassusaasa agguaqatigiissinnerat tassaavoq tuttut 4,4t. Norraat 32,2%-iupput. Suiaassutsini agguaqatigiinnerit tassaapput pannermut ataatsimut kulavaat 1,6-it. Ukiaanerani amerliartuaarneri tassaapput kulavannut 100-nut norraat 77-it. Ikinnerpaassusiliiniarluni kisitsinermi ukiumut nappaammit/utoqqalinermit toqussutaasartut (8-10%) nersutit 16-it 20-llu akornanniissasut naatsorsuutigineqarput. Naggasiineq Misissuinernit paasissutissat pissarsiarineqartut Neriami Qassinilu tuttut tamakkiisumik amerlassusaannik naatsorsuinissanut tunngaviliisinnaasimanngillat, tassami misissuinerni sumiiffiit tuttoqarluarnerunissaannik ilimasuffiginerusat ikinnerpaassusiliiniarluni kisitsiffigineqaannarmata. Ukiaanerani norraqarluartarnera tuttut taakku 6 akornanni takuneqarsinnaavoq, taqqavanermiullu naliliinerat naapertorlugu aatsaat taama tuttoqartigaaq. Neriami Qassinilu tuttut amerliartuaarnissaminnut periarfissagissaarluarput, norraat amerlalluarneri, nerisassaqarluarnera, kiisortoqannginnera aammalu 1990-ikkunni pisaqartoqarpiartannginnera eqqarsaatigalugit. Apeqqammersimanngikkaluarpat tuttut nassaariuminaalluinnangajassimassagaluarput, nunap qaava arlalippassuartigut sermersimasunik maniikulunnertaqaqimmat (ujararujussuit assigiinngitsunik angissusillit – ingammillu tuttut angeqqatai). Tuttut amerlassusaannik misissuineq tamakkuninnga ajornakusoortinneqartuartartussaavoq, taakkumi tuttut nassaariniarnerinut pisarissersuimmata. Qulimiguulik 30 meterinik qatsissuseqarluni (fodit 100-t) timminerata tuttut nassaariniarnerinut periarfissiilluarpoq, taamaattumillu qatsissutsip taassuma siunissami misissuinissani atorneqarnissaa innersuutigineqarpoq. Siunissami qulimiguulik atorlugu misissuisarnissani nalinginnaasumik periuseqarluni misissuisarneq, tassa nunap qanoq issusia apeqqutaatinnagu nunap assingani titarnernik malinnillu timmisarnerit atorneqarnissaat innersuussutiginanngilaq, tuttut aammalu nunap qanoq issusaat matumani eqqarsaatigineqarluni. Qooqqut sivingasunik sinaallit tamaani arlaqaqaat nunalu uumaffigineqarsinnaasoq allanngorartupilussuulluni. Tuttoqarfinni taakunani marlunni nunap ilusaa, tuttuisannera aammalu tiggunnikukkuutaartumillusooq tuttut siammarsimanerat eqqarsaatigalugit tuttunik tamakkiisumik kisitsiniarneq ajornakusoorpoq, tamakkiisumik kisitsisoqassappat aningaasaliissutigineqartut amerlineqarujussuaqqaartariaqarput. Aningaasaliissutit amerlineqarpata qulimiguulimmik sivisunerusumik atuisoqarsinnaalissaaq, tamatumalu kingunerisaanik qulangiuaagaq annertusineqassaaq kiisalu sumiiffiit tuttoqarnerunissaanik ilimasuffiunerusut kisiisa pinnagit kisitsinerit ingerlanneqarsinnaalissallutik. Periarfissaq alla tassaavoq amerlassutsit nikerarnerannik malinnaaneq, tassa siuliani misissueriaaseq apeqqammersumi, ukiup taamaalerpiarnerani nunap ilusaa malillugu ikinnerpaassusiliiniarluni kisitsisarnerit imminnut sanilliunneqarsinnaasut ingerlattassallugit. Sumiiffimmi ilisimasanik katersuineq tuttut maannakkorpiaq siammarsimanerinik aammalu naatsorsuutigisatut amerlassusaannik paasissutissiivoq; aammattaarlu misissuineq manna sumiiffimmi ilisimasat tamaanilu piniartut ilitsersuussutaat tunngavigalugit aaqqissuunneqarpoq. Sumiiffimmi najugaqartut aammalu ilisimatusartartut akornanni suleqatigiinnerup ingerlatiinnarneqarnissaa innersuussutaavoq. 7 Sammendrag Rensdyrbestandens størrelse, struktur, tilvækst og udbredelse i Paamiut distriktet blev sidst undersøgt i 1995. For at fremskaffe information om den nuværende situation, var første fase af denne undersøgelse at skaffe dokumentation ud fra lokalt kendskab til de to rensdyrbestande, Neria og Qassit, i Paamiut distriktet. Der blev foretaget interviews med fangere og afholdt møder i lokalsamfundet. Den viden, der blev fremskaffet, dannede grundlag for den efterfølgende rekognoscering fra luften, en minimumog flokstrukturtælling, efterårstilvækst (kalve pr. 100 køer/simler) og udbredelse af rensdyr. Rekognoscering med helikopter fandt sted fra 28. september4. oktober 2000. På baggrund af instrukser fra de lokale fangere blev der fløjet en serie ”spaghetti” tværsnit (dvs. at der bliver fløjet på en sådan måde, at helikopteren følger højden i terrænet) over Neria og Qassit bestandenes områder. Et nyt lag sne dækkede terrænet ved alle overflyvningerne, hvilket i høj grad øgede rensdyrsynligheden, idet tilstedeværelsen af nye spor muliggjorde en hurtig lokalisering af dyrene. Neriabestanden (syd Paamiut) Minimum antallet for Neria var 332 rensdyr. De største tætheder blev fundet midtvejs mellem Davis Stræde-kysten og indlandsisen. Den gennemsnitlige tæthed for minimumtællingens rekognosceringsområde, 180 km2, var c. 2,2 ± 3,0 SD rensdyr/km2. Maksimum tætheden var c. 14 rensdyr/km2, der fandtes på tværsnit 17. Den gennemsnitlige gruppestørrelse var 4,1 rensdyr. Andelen af kalve var på 29,8%. Kønsfordelingen var 1,4 køer for hver tyr. Bestandstilvækst i efteråret var 72,2 kalve/100 køer. Den naturlige årlige dødelighed (8-10%) på minimumstællingen anslås at være mellem 27-33 dyr. Qassitbestanden (nord Paamiut) Minimum antallet for Qassit var 196 rensdyr. De fleste rener blev set nord for den store sø, Kangaarsuup tasersua. Den gennemsnitlige tæthed i minimumtællingens rekognosceringsområde, 202 km2, var c. 0,9 ±2,2 SD rensdyr/km2. Maksimum tæthed var c. 12 rensdyr/km2, der fandtes på tværsnit 43. Den gennemsnitlige gruppestørrelse var 4,4 rensdyr. Kalveandelen var på 32,2%. Kønsfordelingen var 1,6 køer for hver tyr. Bestandstilvækst i efteråret var 77 kalve/100 køer. Den naturlige årlige dødelighed (8-10%) på minimumstællingen anslås at være 16-20 dyr. 8 Konklusioner Disse data fra rekognosceringen tillod ikke beregning af bestandens størrelse, hverken for Neria eller Qassit-bestandene, fordi områder hvor der forventedes maksimum antal rensdyr blev prioriteret til undersøgelse. Begge bestande viser høje tal for efterårets kalveandel, og den lokale opfattelse er, at der er flere rensdyr end nogensinde tidligere. Det er muligt, at størrelsen af både Neria og Qassit bestandene vokser i betragtning af den udmærkede kalveandel, kønsfordelingen, god vegetation, ingen tilstedeværelse af rovdyr samt det lave jagtpres i 1990’erne. Uden den nye sne ville det have været næsten umuligt at se rensdyrene i den ellers vanskelige terrænoverflade med mange tilisede ujævnheder (kampesten i alle størrelser - især af rensdyrstørrelse). Undersøgelse af antallet af rensdyr vil altid blive besværliggjort af sådanne tilfældige objekter, der reducerer muligheden for at observere rensdyrene. Helikopter flyvehøjden på 30 meter (100 fod) forbedrede muligheden for at se rensdyrene, og derfor anbefales denne højde for fremtidige undersøgelser. Udsigten for fremtidige undersøgelser på den traditionelle måde, dvs. stripeller line-tværsnit tællinger, blev vurderet til at være dårlig på grund af flere aspekter ved såvel rensdyrene som terrænet. Dale med stejle sider dominerer terrænet, og det tilgængelige livsmiljø varierer dramatisk på korte afstande. Når dette føjes til den lave tæthed og den klumpede udbredelse af disse rener, er resultatet to bestande, for hvilke det er vanskeligt at anslå et absolut antal, medmindre finansieringen forøges væsentligt. Tilførsel af flere penge ville muliggøre mere helikoptertid, hvilket vil forøge det dækkede område og muliggøre randomisering ( beregning af bestandsestimatet er afhængig af vilkårligheden) af tværsnittene. Alternativt er et talrighedsindeks en mulighed, hvis rekognosceringen der er beskrevet her gentages, dvs. hvis det er muligt at foretage de samme flyvninger på den samme årstid med nyfalden sne. Indsamlingen af lokal viden skaffede information om den aktuelle udbredelse af rensdyrene og deres relativt store antal; og det var på basis af den lokale viden og instruktioner fra de lokale fangere, at denne rekognoscering blev tilrettelagt. Fortsat samarbejde mellem de lokale beboere og forskerne anbefales. 9 south of the Frederikshåb Isblink down to the lands immediately north of Qassit fjord, and east to the Ice Cap. There are few valleys or lowlands in the Qassit area, i.e., c. 1,000 km2 lie above 200 m ASL. A large lake, Kangaarsuup tasersua stretches across the northern portion. Abrupt elevation changes, and high mountain plateaus characterize the area. Glacial erratics cover the landscape at all elevations. Thing (1982) described the Qassit range as extremely lush, specifically as regards lichens. Precipitation is plentiful year round, and in winter the snow cover is complete and often deep. Results Local knowledge Twelve local hunters gave interviews on caribou distribution and abundance. Seven of these were elders over 60 years of age, which allowed a historical perspective. A further twelve local hunters attended the community meeting, which was for the collection of local knowledge and to give a general orientation of the study. The interviews and community meeting with local hunters provided current local knowledge about the Neria and Qassit caribou populations (Figures 4, 5). Figure 4. Local knowledge in 2000 on approximate ranges used by the Neria and Qassit caribou herds in the Paamiut region. 16 Figure 5. Local knowledge in 2000 on caribou distribution, movement, calving areas and lichen range for the Neria and Qassit caribou herds in the Paamiut region. Aerial reconnaissance logistics The manual click-counter animal counts from each observer for each segment provided the basis for the total minimum count of each population. Observers spotted most caribou at distances of ≤ 300 metres. The presence of newly fallen snow was the single most important factor for locating caribou in the boulderstrewn terrain, because fresh tracks permitted quick spotting of actual animals. This survey used about 13 helicopter hours for reconnaissance and 5 helicopter hours for ferrying to and from the study areas. Area coverage was c. 8 % for Neria and c. 15% for Qassit (Appendix 2). Caribou minimum count The minimum count was 332 caribou for Neria, and 196 for Qassit (Table 1). Population size estimates were not possible, because transects were not chosen randomly but rather areas where caribou were expected were preferentially sampled. Additionally, strip width was likely variable and a calculation of variance of the strip width was not possible, i.e., since measured distances to animals could not be obtained. No caribou were observed on the Kvanefjord peninsula, although tracks in the fresh snow indicated the presence of perhaps 3 animals for the segments flown. 17 Herd structure & recruitment The autumn recruitment suggests an excellent calf production in both the Neria and Qassit herds. The sex ratio is 1.4 cows for every bull in the Neria herd, and 1.6 cows for every bull in the Qassit herd. Table 1. Herd Structure for two caribou herds in region Paamiut, 1-4 October 2000 Neria herd Qassit herd Location Paamiut south Paamiut north Date 1 October 2000 2 & 4 October 2000 Method Helicopter Helicopter Total counted 332 196 Total sexed & aged 131 146 Average group size 4.1 4.4 Maximum group size 14 24 Bull (>1 year) 38 (29.0 %) 38 (26.0 %) Cow (>1 year) 54 (41.2 %) 61 (41.8 %) Calf 39 (29.8 %) 47 (32.2 %) Autumn recruitment (calves/100 cows*) 72 77 * All cows >1 year old Neria caribou distribution and density A minimum count of 332 caribou were observed along the 28 spaghetti transects. Maximum caribou density, c. 14 caribou/km2, was observed on transect number 17. Transects having densities > than 4 caribou/km2 were in descending order, 17, 15, 22, 26 and 19 (Appendix 2; Table 4). Areas of high caribou density were unevenly distributed. There were, however, some common characteristics, e.g., they were 1) situated midway between the Davis Strait seacoast and the Greenland Ice Cap, 2) at elevations between 400 and 700 metres, 3) in close proximity to a fresh water lake or waterway, and 4) perhaps a south-facing aspect. Caribou were conspicuous in their absence close to the Ice Cap in the northeastern portion of the Neria range. Although no transects were allocated to the Davis Strait coastline, two refuelling flights overflew the coastal areas and islands, which were covered with freshly fallen snow. No caribou or caribou tracks were found on the outer coastal areas or islands bordering Davis Strait. During the time period covered, the caribou distribution of the Neria herd generally agreed with local knowledge obtained prior to the reconnaissance. Qassit caribou distribution A minimum count of 196 caribou were observed along the 33 spaghetti transect segments. Maximum caribou density, c. 12 caribou/km2, was observed on transect 18 number 43. There were only two transects having densities > than 4 caribou/km2. These were in descending order, 43 and 34 (Appendix 2; Table 5). It was striking that the majority of caribou, i.e., 123, were seen on the three nunatak-like pieces of land sandwiched between the lake Kangaarsuup tasersua and the Frederikshåb Isblink. Over 50 caribou were observed foraging on the Kangaarsuup Nunaa (Karra) in the west, and most of these were on the exceedingly steep south facing “rock” slopes. Further, about twenty animals were observed moving west across the Frederikshåb Isblink, which is riddled with deep crevasses. Just to the east, on the middle nunatak-like area, almost 30 caribou were foraging on similarly steep south facing rocky slopes. Furthest to the east, over 60 caribou had aggregated to forage on the southwestern shore of the third, most easterly and final nunatak-like area north of lake Kangaarsuup tasersua. In contrast to the first two areas, here the caribou were grazing on gentle south-facing slopes. No caribou or tracks were seen on the true nunataks embedded within Frederikshåb Isblink. Thus the majority of the Qassit herd were observed in the area north of lake Kangaarsuup tasersua during the period of the reconnaissance. Discussion The minimum count for Neria was 332 caribou, and for Qassit 196 animals. This reconnaissance data did not allow a calculation of population size for either the Neria or Qassit herds, because areas where maximum caribou were expected were preferentially sampled. Application of more sophisticated methods of line-fitting and variance calculation were deemed inappropriate due to the highly biased sampling, and further, any result would be highly dependent on the strip width, which was likely to be variable. An approximate total area perferred by Neria caribou and possible inference to a population estimate are discussed in Appendix 5. Neria herd – south region Paamiut Caribou were scarce where alpine glaciers were numerous or near the Ice Cap. Although both locals and previous researchers (Meldgaard 1986, Reimers 1980, Strandgaard et al. 1983) have indicated that high concentrations of caribou would be found close to the inland Ice Cap, there were few or no caribou there during the time period of this reconnaissance. In all else, local knowledge was supported by reconnaissance observations. Some animals were observed below 200 metres elevation in the inner fjords, typically along shorelines. No caribou were found on the outer coastal areas or islands bordering Davis Strait. Instead, concentrations of caribou were found midway between the Davis Strait seacoast and the Greenland 19 Ice Cap, at elevations between 400 and 700 metres, in close proximity to fresh water lakes or waterways and often on south-facing slopes. Locations included the area around the lake, Atarngup tasersua , and the highlands above the south shore of Sermilik fjord and along the north side of the Sermiligaarsuk glacier tongue. The latter suggests support for the local opinion that animals regularly move south across the Sermiligaarsuk glacier. Previous herd size estimates have been low (Table 2) and calf percentages of only 13 to 15% were observed in 1994 – 1995 (Ydemann & Pedersen 1999), suggesting a herd in difficulty. According to local sources the vegetation is generally thought to be good, and could support a healthy herd. Hunters observed many calves in 1997-98 (Kielsen pers. comm.). The present autumn recruitment observed in Neria, 72 calves/100 cows, was high compared to other studies. Typical autumn calves/100 cows values are lower, e.g., 27 to 36 in central Alberta, Canada (Edmonds 1988), an average of 60 for the period 1970s and 1980s in Forelhogna, Norway (Skogland 1988), 61 in Rondane, Norway (Andersen & Hageland 1994), and 59 in the Porcupine herd (Fancy et al. 1994). In the absence of predators a high recruitment, as observed in the Neria herd, can promote a rapid increase in animal numbers. The herd may also be expanding its range. From the local knowledge gathered, there is the suggestion of range expansion westward to the inner fjord coasts and also dispersal south across Sermiligaarsuk glacier tongue. Both indicate an increasing herd size, since caribou in Greenland typically disperse and expand range when herd size increases (Meldgaard 1986). Caribou dispersal is also an indication that vegetation may no longer be optimal (Baskin 1990), which suggests that the Neria range may already have reached its carrying capacity for caribou. Adult natural mortality for caribou in 5 North American herds without natural predators is 4-6% annually (Bergerud 1967, 1971, Skoog 1968, Kelsall 1968), which corresponds to a life expectancy of 17 to 25 years. Adult annual natural mortality has been c. 8% on Southampton Island (NWT, Canada), which is also without predators (Heard & Ouellet 1994). Region Paamiut lacks all natural predators. Actual natural mortality values for Greenland caribou appear around 8-10%, given the general average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years found in Loison et al. (2000) and Cuyler & Østergaard (2002). Using a natural mortality of 8-10% and the minimum count of 332 caribou for the Neria herd, equates to an expected minimum natural mortality of about 27 to 33 caribou each year in the Neria portion of region Paamiut. 20 Table 2. Estimated herd sizes and harvest quotas for the Neria & Qassit caribou herds, region Paamiut. Year Herd Size Neria Herd Size Qassit Harvest Quota Paamiut Reported Harvest Paamiut 1980 2001X4c. 1505 1982 4002 X 4c. 1505 1993 0 0 1994 181 (62-525) 3 0 0 1995 407 (225-738) 3 50 50 1996 Not specified 104 1997 Not specified 130 1998 Not specified 180 1999 80 29 2000 160 86 1 Aastrup 1983, 2 Reimers 1980, 3 Ydemann & Pedersen 1999, 4 harvest unregulated, 5 Meldgaard 1983 Qassit herd – north region Paamiut Once again local knowledge agreed well with reconnaissance observations. The caribou were concentrated in the most northern portion of the area. Almost all caribou observed occurred on 3 south-facing slopes in the small area immediately north of the lake Kangaarsuup tasersua. Few animals or caribou tracks were observed elsewhere, although transect coverage of the entire area was 15%. From the local knowledge gathered, and observations during the reconnaissance dispersal across the Frederikshåb Isblink into the southernmost portions of region “South” would appear possible. The local knowledge sources indicate the vegetation is good over large areas of the range. The autumn recruitment observed by the present study was 77 calves/100 cows, which is similar to the Neria value and excellent relative to other caribou populations studied in Scandinavia and North America. In the absence of predators this recruitment value can promote rapid increase in the population. Hunters say that big bulls are taken here, which suggests excellent forage is supporting good caribou body condition. Further, during the reconnaissance animals appeared to have good body condition. The population may be relatively small but given the above, herd size could increase. Using a natural mortality of 8-10% and the minimum count of 196 caribou for the Qassit herd, equates to an expected minimum natural mortality of about 16 to 20 caribou each year in the Qassit portion of region Paamiut. 21 Implications for caribou harvest In 1996, 1997 and 1998 there was no harvest quota specific to region Paamiut. The reported harvests for these years were 104, 130 and 180 caribou respectively. However, a low specific quota was designated for Paamiut starting in 1999. The quota was 80 in 1999 and 160 in 2000. Hunters reported taking only 36% and 54% of the allocated harvest quota for the Paamiut region in 1999 and 2000 respectively. This corresponded to 29 and 86 animals taken. The low numbers taken were due to the relatively low quotas given for Paamiut, which made it less cost effective, i.e., cost time and travel versus amount meat in return, for hunters to hunt in Neria (Kim Kielsen pers. comm.). At Neria typically only 1 caribou per hunter was allowed. In contrast, several caribou were allowed further north in region South if one hunted the Qeqertarsuatsiaat or Ameralik caribou populations. Not surprisingly, many hunters went to region South. Since both Neria and Qassit herds are likely increasing, which could endanger range quality, to encourage hunters to harvest in region Paamiut the 2001 recommended harvest quota for the Neria herd became 500, and for the Qassit herd 100 caribou. The 2001 quotas remained unchanged in 2002. Further, in 2003 an additional winter hunt of 250 was allowed, while the summer hunt in 2003 became unlimited. To maintain a herd structure that is advantageous for population stability, future harvests should be 50:50 bulls to cows. Acknowledgements This project was financed by DANCEA (Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic – Ministry of Environment and Energy, Strandgade 29, Copenhagen K, Denmark). Grateful thanks to Kristian Dahl, Mike Petersen at the Paamiut Erhvervs Office, for their invaluable help in advertising, arranging, providing venues and obtaining an interpreter for both interviews and meetings. Aqqaluk Petersen was interpreter and translator at meetings and interviews. A warm thank you to the locals who sat as caribou observers in the helicopter, KNAPK hunters, Lars Petersen, Nielseeraq Jakobsen, Tittus Lorentzen, Tittus Andersen, & Nikolaj Knudsen, and sport hunters Kim Kielsen & Jokum Schmidt. Greenland Air helicopter pilots Ulf Østerlund & Bent Rejs provided hours of safe flying. Paamiut heliport made their coffee-break room available for pre-flight discussions. Hotel Paamiut prepared refreshments for the community meetings. Sincere thanks go to Erik W. Born, Mads-Peter Heide-Jørgensen, Michael Kingsley and Frank Riget for reviewing the manuscript. 22 Thanks are also due the locals who gave local knowledge interviews, Manasse Møller, David Rosing, Thomas Abrahamsen, Peter Eigildsen, Jokum Schmidt, Aqqaluk Petersen, Anders Berthelsen, Ole Petersen, Kim Kielsen, Birger Knudsen, Orla Wallbohm and Kristian Dahl. Locals participating in community meetings included, Karl Berthelsen, Jokum Schmidt, Oleraq Kristoffersen, Enok Broberg, Karl Josefsen, Lars Petersen, Thor Berthelsen, John Heskiassen, Tittus Andreassen, Karl Samuelsen, Kim Kielsen, Henrik Petersen, Abia Thorsteinsen, Ulrik Frederiksen, Sem (Angutinnquaq) Frederiksen, Angutimarik Lorentzen, Esaias Lorentzen, Hermann Hegelund, Bente Kreilgaard, Peter M. Petersen, Karl K. Knudsen, Konrad Kristoffersen, Sigurd Klemmensen, Tobias Klemmensen, Jokum Cortzen, Tittus Lorentzen, Jørgen Jakobsen, Nukaaraq Jakobsen, Nielseran Jakobsen, Adolf Frederiksen, Nikolaj Knudsen, Ole M. Petersen, Mike Gerth Petersen, Ole Petersen, Kristian Dahl, Aqqaluk Petersen. 23 References Aastrup, P. 1983. Rensdyrbestanden nord for Kvanefjord. Kapital 9: 57-63 - In: Miljø-undersøgelser vandkraftprojekt Iterlaa, Paamiut/Frederikshåb, 1982. Grønlands Fiskeriundersøgelser, Tagensvej 135, 220 København N. 89 pp. Andersen, R. & Hageland J. 1994. Strukturtelling i Rondane høsten 1994 – resultater og erfaringer. Villrein. 1994: 68-70. (in Norwegian) Baskin, L.M. 1990. Population dynamics of reindeer. Rangifer, Special Issue No. 3: 151-156. Bergerud, A.T. 1967. Management of Labrador caribou. J. Wildl. Manage. 31: 621-642. Bergerud, A.T. 1971. The population dynamics of Newfoundland caribou. Wildl. Monogr. 25: 55 pp. Cuyler, C. & Østergaard, J. 2002. Fertility in two west Greenland caribou populations on different ranges, 1996/97. Pinngortitaleriffik - Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Progress Note 1. 11 pp. Cuyler, C., Rosing, M., Linnell, J.D.C., Loison, A., Ingerslev, T., & Landa, A. 2002. Status of the Kangerlussuaq-Sisimiut caribou population (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) in 2000, West Greenland. Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Technical report No. 42. 52 pp. Edmonds, E.J. 1988. Population status, distribution, and movements of woodland caribou in west central Alberta. Can. J. Zool. 66: 817-826. Fancy, S.G., Whitten, K. R., & Russell, D. E. 1994. Demography of the Porcupine caribou herd, 19831992. Can. J. Zool. 72: 840-846. Grønlands Statistisk Årbog 2000. Grønland 2000 Kalaallit Nunaat: statistisk årbog Ukiumoortumik kisitsisitigut paasissutissat. Grønlands Hjemmestyre. Grønlands Statistik 2000. 624 pp. (in Danish) Grønnow, B. & Meldgaard, M. 1982. Arkæologiske recognosceringer i Paamiut, Nuuk og Sisimiut kommuner, 1982. – Field report on file at Kalaallit Nunaata Katersugaasivia (Grønlands Landsmuseum), Nuuk, Grønland. (in Danish) Heard, D.C. & Ouellet, J.P. 1994. Dynamics of an introduced caribou population. Arctic. 47(1): 8895. Jepsen, B.I. 1999. Populationsgenetiske studier af vildren (R.t.groenlandicus) and tamren (R.t. tarandus) i Vestgrønland. MSc Thesis, Botany Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. 64+ pp. (in Danish) Kelsall, J.P. 1968. The migratory barren-ground caribou of Canada. - Can. Wildl. Serv., Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Canada, 340 pp. 24 Loison. A., Cuyler, C., Linnell, J.D.C. & Landa, A. 2000. The caribou harvest in west Greenland, 1995-98: sex, age and condition of animals based on hunter reports. Pinngortitaleriffik – Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Technical Report No. 36. 33 pp. Meldgaard, M. 1986. The Greenland caribou – zoogeography, taxonomy, and population dynamics. Meddelelser om Grønland. Bioscience no. 20. 88 pp. Reimers, E. 1980. Rensdyrbestanden på Disko, Nûgssuaq, Frederikshåbog Angmassalikområderne. Report on file at Vildtbiologisk Station, Kalø, Denmark: 33pp. (in Danish) Skogland, T. 1988. Bestands analyse av villreinstammen i Forelhogna. Villrein : 14-22. (in Norwegian) Skoog, R.O. 1968. Ecology of the caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) in Alaska. - Ph.D. Thesis, University of California, Berkeley, 699 pp. Strandgaard, H., Hothe, V., Lassen, P. & Thing, H. 1983. Rensdyrsundersøgelser i Vestgrønland 1977-82.- Job completion report. Vildtbiologisk Station, Kalø: 1-29. (in Danish) Thomas, D. 1998. Needed: Less counting of caribou and more ecology. Rangifer, Special Issue No. 10: 15-23. Ydemann, D. & Pedersen, C.B. 1999. Rensdyr i Vestgrønland 1993-1996. Unpublished report to Greenland Institute for Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland. (in Danish) 25 Table 4. Caribou densities per transect sorted from maximum to minimum: Aerial reconnaissance Neria, region Paamiut, Sept-Oct 2000. Transect number Transect length (km) Transect area (km2) Number caribou seen Density Caribou Rank 17 8.00 4.80 65 13.54 1 15 7.00 4.20 26 6.19 2 22 6.34 3.80 23 6.05 3 26 10.75 6.45 37 5.74 4 19 11.30 6.78 31 4.57 5 14 13.30 7.98 27 3.38 6 4 17.10 10.26 27 2.63 7 9 5.73 3.44 9 2.62 8 21 12.05 7.23 14 1.94 9 23 7.70 4.62 8 1.73 10 18 12.90 7.74 12 1.55 11 3 10.81 6.49 8 1.23 12 28 11.10 6.66 8 1.20 13 1 11.36 6.82 8 1.17 14 12 6.80 4.08 4 0.98 15 16 8.30 4.98 4 0.80 16 13 10.60 6.36 5 0.79 17 20 10.97 6.58 5 0.76 18 10 11.28 6.77 3 0.44 19 27 16.59 9.95 4 0.40 20 8 7.61 4.57 1 0.22 21 5 20.88 12.53 2 0.16 22 24 16.15 9.69 1 0.10 23 6 12.60 7.56 0 0.00 24 7 7.93 4.76 0 0.00 24 11 9.96 5.98 0 0.00 24 25 13.12 7.87 0 0.00 24 Total Total Total Total Mean ±SD 27 298.23 178.94 332 2.16 ± 2.96 - 32 Table 5. Caribou densities per transect sorted from maximum to minimum: Aerial reconnaissance Qassit, region Paamiut, Oct 2000. Transect number Transect length (km) Transect area (km2) Number caribou seen Density Caribou Rank 43 8.80 5.28 63 11.93 1 34 13.90 8.34 43 5.16 2 55 6.47 3.88 7 1.80 3 40 10.68 6.41 10 1.56 4 39 7.79 4.67 7 1.50 5 56 10.04 6.02 8 1.33 6 44 19.61 11.77 14 1.19 7 41 17.15 10.29 12 1.17 8 58 9.79 5.87 6 1.02 9 49 7.16 4.30 4 0.93 19 36 11.35 6.81 6 0.88 11 46 8.67 5.20 4 0.77 12 29 7.57 4.54 3 0.66 13 35 13.54 8.12 4 0.49 14 48 10.49 6.29 2 0.32 15 42 13.41 8.05 2 0.25 16 52 11.32 6.79 1 0.15 17 30 5.17 3.10 0 0.00 18 31 6.73 4.04 0 0.00 18 32 6.21 3.72 0 0.00 18 33 12.21 7.33 0 0.00 18 37 4.00 2.40 0 0.00 18 38 10.64 6.38 0 0.00 18 45 9.48 5.69 0 0.00 18 47 11.10 6.66 0 0.00 18 50 6.52 3.91 0 0.00 18 51 5.84 3.50 0 0.00 18 53 4.58 2.75 0 0.00 18 54 10.13 6.08 0 0.00 18 57 6.86 4.12 0 0.00 18 59 9.78 5.87 0 0.00 18 60 12.95 7.77 0 0.00 18 61 16.33 9.80 0 0.00 18 62 9.70 5.82 0 0.00 18 Total Total Total Total Mean ±SD 34 335.97 201.57 196 0.91 ± 2.15 - 33 Table 6. Raw data aerial reconnaissance Neria caribou herd, southern region Paamiut, Sept-Oct 2000. Number Caribou observed on transect Rear seat observers Date ddmmyy Spaghetti transect1Left front2 (CC) Left rear2Right rear (1) 2 Right rear (2) 2 Left2Right (1) 2 Right (2) 2 28.09.00 1 0 5 3 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 3 8 7 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 4 22 20 4 5 TL KK MR 01.10.00 5 2 2 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 6 0 0 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 7 0 0 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 8 1 1 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 9 2 2 7 5 TL KK MR 01.10.00 10 1 0 2 2 TL KK MR 01.10.00 11 0 0 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 12 4 2 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 13 4 3 0 1 TL KK MR 01.10.00 14 10 12 12 15 TL KK MR 01.10.00 15 19 7 6 7 JS LP MR 01.10.00 16 0 4 0 0 JS LP MR 01.10.00 17 33 37 24 28 JS LP MR 01.10.00 18 10 5 0 2 JS LP MR 01.10.00 19 19 18 11 12 JS LP MR 01.10.00 20 1 4 1 1 JS LP MR 01.10.00 21 14 10 0 0 JS LP MR 01.10.00 22 10 16 7 6 JS LP MR 01.10.00 23 6 8 0 0 JS LP MR 01.10.00 24 0 0 0 1 JS LP MR 01.10.00 25 0 0 0 0 JS LP MR 01.10.00 26 8 8 21 29 JS LP MR 01.10.00 27 1 0 3 3 JS LP MR 01.10.00 28 0 0 2 8 JS LP MR Left side Right side Totals 201 131 Total caribou 332 Neria reconnaissance observers: (CC) Christine Cuyler, (TL) Tittus Lorentzen, (KK) Kim Kielsen, (MR) Michael Rosing, (JS) Jokum Schmidt, and (LP) Lars Petersen. 1 Spaghetti transects are presented in the order flown. 2 Indicates seat position in helicopter. 34 Table 7. Raw data aerial reconnaissance Qassit herd, northern region Paamiut, October 2000. Number Caribou observed on transect Rear seat observers Date ddmmyy Spaghetti transect1Left front2 (CC) Left rear2Right rear (1) 2 Right rear (2) 2 Left2Right (1) 2 Right (2) 2 02.10.00 29 0 0 3 0 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 30 0 0 0 0 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 31 0 0 0 0 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 32 0 0 0 0 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 33 0 0 0 0 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 34 16 14 27 27 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 35 0 0 0 4 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 36 0 1 5 5 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 37 0 0 0 0 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 38 0 0 0 0 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 39 1 6 1 1 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 40 3 6 3 4 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 41 5 5 7 7 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 42 2 2 0 0 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 43 32 28 23 31 NJ NK MR 02.10.00 44 1 1 13 13 NJ NK MR 04.10.00 45 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 46 4 4 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 47 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 48 0 0 2 - NK TA - 04.10.00 49 4 4 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 50 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 51 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 52 1 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 53 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 54 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 55 7 6 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 56 2 2 6 - NK TA - 04.10.00 57 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 58 6 6 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 59 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 60 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 61 0 0 0 - NK TA - 04.10.00 62 0 0 0 - NK TA - Left side Right side Totals 93 103 Total caribou 196 Qassit reconnaissance observers: (CC) Christine Cuyler, (NJ) Nielseeraq Jakobsen, (NK) Nikolej Knudsen, (MR) Michael Rosing, and (TA) Tittus Andreassen. 1 Spaghetti transects are presented in the order flown. 2 Indicates seat position in helicopter. 35 Table 8. Raw data aerial reconnaissance Kvanefjord peninsula, mid-region Paamiut, Sept-Oct 2000. Number Caribou observed on transect Rear seat observers Date ddmmyy Spaghetti transect1Left front2 (CC) Left rear2Right rear (1) 2 Right rear (2) 2 Left2Right (1) 2 Right (2) 2 28.09.00 2 0 0 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 63* 0 0 0 0 TL KK MR 01.10.00 63** 0 0 0 0 JS LP MR Left side Right side Totals 0 0 Total caribou 0 Kvanefjord peninsula reconnaissance observers: (CC) Christine Cuyler, (TL) Tittus Larentzen, (KK) Kim Kielsen, (MR) Michael Rosing, (JS) Jokum Schmidt, and (LP) Lars Petersen. 1 Spaghetti transects are presented in the order flown. 2 Indicates seat position in helicopter. * No caribou seen, but tracks of 3 caribou observed in bottom of Kangerluarsuk Fjord at c. 400 m above sea level. ** Spaghetti transect 63 was flown twice, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Table 9. Raw data aerial reconnaissance herd structure Neria herd, southern region Paamiut, Sept - Oct 2000. Date ddmmyy Spaghetti transect Group Size Males (Age > 1 year) Females (Age > 1 year) Calves (Age < 1 year) 01.10.00 9 4 2 1 1 01.10.00 9 2 1 1 01.10.00 12 2 1 1 01.10.00 12 2 2 01.10.00 13 3 1 1 1 01.10.00 13 1 1 01.10.00 14 5 2 2 1 01.10.00 14 2 2 01.10.00 14 3 1 1 1 01.10.00 14 2 1 1 01.10.00 14 3 3 01.10.00 14 8 2 4 2 01.10.00 15 1 1 01.10.00 15 4 2 1 1 01.10.00 15 2 1 1 01.10.00 15 1 1 01.10.00 15 3 1 1 1 01.10.00 15 1 1 01.10.00 15 4 3 1 01.10.00 15 3 1 1 1 01.10.00 17 2 1 1 01.10.00 17 5 3 2 01.10.00 17 1 1 01.10.00 17 14 2 7 5 01.10.00 17 13 1 7 5 01.10.00 17 1 1 01.10.00 17 13 4 7 2 01.10.00 17 3 1 1 1 01.10.00 17 1 1 01.10.00 26 10 2 4 4 01.10.00 26 6 2 2 2 01.10.00 26 6 2 2 2 TOTALS 131 38 54 39 36 Table 10. Raw data aerial reconnaissance herd structure Qassit herd, northern region Paamiut, October 2000. Date ddmmyy Spaghetti transect Group Size Males (Age > 1 year) Females (Age > 1 year) Calves (Age < 1 year) 02.10.00 34 3 1 1 1 02.10.00 34 6 2 3 1 02.10.00 34 1 1 02.10.00 34 24 5 11 8 02.10.00 40 3 1 1 1 02.10.00 41 3 2 1 02.10.00 41 2 1 1 02.10.00 41 5 2 2 1 02.10.00 42 1 1 02.10.00 42 1 1 02.10.00 43 1 1 02.10.00 43 17 4 8 5 02.10.00 43 1 1 02.10.00 43 1 1 02.10.00 43 1 1 02.10.00 43 9 5 4 02.10.00 43 8 1 4 3 02.10.00 43 9 3 3 3 02.10.00 43 1 1 02.10.00 43 2 1 1 02.10.00 43 5 3 2 02.10.00 43 1 1 02.10.00 43 7 1 3 3 02.10.00 44 1 1 02.10.00 44 1 1 04.10.00 46 4 2 2 04.10.00 48 2 1 1 04.10.00 49 4 2 1 1 04.10.00 51 1 1 04.10.00 55 7 1 3 3 04.10.00 56 6 2 2 2 04.10.00 56 2 1 1 04.10.00 58 6 2 2 2 TOTALS 146 38 61 47 37 Table 11. Spaghetti transects for aerial reconnaissance Neria herd, southern region Paamiut, Sept – Oct 2000. Spaghetti transect start Spaghetti transect end Date ddmmyy Spaghetti transect Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude 28.09.00 1 61° 53.14' 48° 55.80' 61° 56.0' 48° 49.0' 01.10.00 3 61° 54.41' 48° 45.51' 61° 54.76' 48° 36.82' 01.10.00 4 61° 54.76' 48° 36.82' 61° 54.545' 48° 27.994' 01.10.00 5 61° 54.545' 48° 27.994' 61° 58.387' 48° 25.092' 01.10.00 6 61° 58.387' 48° 25.092' 61° 56.537' 48° 12.006' 01.10.00 7 61° 56.537' 48° 12.006' 61° 53.794' 48° 09.993' 01.10.00 8 61° 53.794' 48° 09.993' 61° 49.870' 48° 15.302' 01.10.00 9 61° 49.870' 48° 15.302' 61° 51.019' 48° 20.507' 01.10.00 10 61° 51.019' 48° 20.507' 61° 50.655' 48° 28.189' 01.10.00 11 61° 50.655' 48° 28.189' 61° 49.847' 48° 19.678' 01.10.00 12 61° 49.847' 48° 19.678' 61° 47.858' 48° 11.538' 01.10.00 13 61° 47.858' 48° 11.538' 61° 42.539' 48° 06.589' 01.10.00 14 61° 42.539' 48° 06.589' 61° 41.843' 48° 06.671' 01.10.00 15 61° 52.341' 48° 57.480' 61° 52.562' 48° 50.558' 01.10.00 16 61° 53.344' 48° 50.388' 61° 51.673' 48° 46.389' 01.10.00 17 61° 51.673' 48° 46.389' 61° 48.448' 48° 50.663' 01.10.00 18 61° 48.448' 48° 50.663' 61° 43.228' 48° 51.833' 01.10.00 19 61° 43.228' 48° 51.833' 61° 44.129' 48° 41.366' 01.10.00 20 61° 44.129' 48° 41.366' 61° 49.088' 48° 38.233' 01.10.00 21 61° 49.088' 48° 38.233' 61° 49.523' 48° 37.519' 01.10.00 22 61° 49.523' 48° 37.519' 61° 49.555' 48° 33.720' 01.10.00 23 61° 49.555' 48° 33.720' 61° 45.867' 48° 30.991' 01.10.00 24 61° 45.867' 48° 30.991' 61° 46.339' 48° 19.211' 01.10.00 25 61° 46.339' 48° 19.211' 61° 43.138' 48° 11.263' 01.10.00 26 61° 43.138' 48° 11.263' 61° 39.474' 48° 19.965' 01.10.00 27 61° 39.474' 48° 19.965' 61° 41.646' 48° 40.322' 01.10.00 28 61° 41.646' 48° 40.322' 61° 42.0' 48° 40.5' Total number of spaghetti transects flown = 27 38 Table 12. Spaghetti transects for aerial reconnaissance Qassit herd, northern region Paamiut, October 2000. Spaghetti transect start Spaghetti transect end Date Spaghetti transect ddmmyy Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude 02.10.00 29 62° 19.115 49° 31.610' 62° 20.435' 49° 37.558' 02.10.00 30 62° 20.435' 49° 37.558' 62° 21.826' 49° 43.704' 02.10.00 31 62° 21.826' 49° 43.704' 62° 22.655' 49° 49.674' 02.10.00 32 62° 22.655' 49° 49.674' 62° 25.952' 49° 49.593' 02.10.00 33 62° 25.952' 49° 49.593' 62° 28.616' 49° 45.205' 02.10.00 34 62° 28.616' 49° 45.205' 62° 32.867' 49° 43.304' 02.10.00 35 62° 32.867' 49° 43.304' 62° 33.109' 49° 36.948' 02.10.00 36 62° 33.109' 49° 36.948' 62° 31.278' 49° 46.118' 02.10.00 37 62° 38.045' 49° 41.971' 62° 39.012' 49° 38.856' 02.10.00 38 62° 40.317' 49° 36.300' 62° 38.072' 49° 33.203' 02.10.00 39 62° 33.477' 49° 33.468' 62° 31.357' 49° 35.034' 02.10.00 40 62° 31.357' 49° 35.034' 62° 32.005' 49° 23.739' 02.10.00 41 62° 32.005' 49° 23.739' 62° 33.392' 49° 21.143' 02.10.00 42 62° 33.392' 49° 21.143' 62° 29.733' 49° 19.404' 02.10.00 43 62° 29.733' 49° 19.404' 62° 30.298' 49° 22.636' 02.10.00 44 62° 29.351' 49° 19.087' 62° 20.729' 49° 27.926' 04.10.00 45 62° 13.825' 49° 16.663' 62° 14.253' 49° 08.728' 04.10.00 46 62° 14.253' 49° 08.728' 62° 12.251' 49° 04.600' 04.10.00 47 62° 12.251' 49° 04.600' 62° 16.031' 48° 56.039' 04.10.00 48 62° 16.031' 48° 56.039' 62° 15.367' 49° 04.949' 04.10.00 49 62° 15.367' 49° 04.949' 62° 18.613' 49° 06.488' 04.10.00 50 62° 18.613' 49° 06.488' 62° 16.318' 49° 12.065' 04.10.00 51 62° 16.318' 49° 12.065' 62° 15.576' 49° 17.027' 04.10.00 52 62° 15.576' 49° 17.027' 62° 20.256' 49° 16.289' 04.10.00 53 62° 20.256' 49° 16.289' 62° 22.871' 49° 18.483' 04.10.00 54 62° 22.871' 49° 18.483' 62° 19.801' 49° 21.747' 04.10.00 55 62° 19.801' 49° 21.747' 62° 20.424' 49° 26.985' 04.10.00 56 62° 20.424' 49° 26.985' 62° 22.507' 49° 34.482' 04.10.00 57 62° 22.507' 49° 34.482' 62° 24.252' 49° 29.231' 04.10.00 58 62° 24.252' 49° 29.231' 62° 25.85' 49° 37.5' 04.10.00 59 62° 25.85' 49° 37.5' 62° 23.040' 49° 40.006' 04.10.00 60 62° 23.040' 49° 40.006' 62° 20.801' 49° 31.209' 04.10.00 61 62° 20.801' 49° 31.209' 62° 14.671' 49° 32.516' 04.10.00 62 62° 11.875' 49° 34.878' 62° 09.179' 49° 26.762' Total number of spaghetti transects flown = 34 Table 13. Spaghetti transects for aerial reconnaissance Kvanefjord peninsula, mid region Paamiut, Sept–Oct 2000. Spaghetti transect start Spaghetti transect end Date ddmmyy Spaghetti transect Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude 28.09.00 61° 57.99' 48° 57.12' 62° 02.978' 48° 58.605' 01.10.00 61° 41.20' 49° 25.00' 61° 52.800' 49° 05.500' Total number of spaghetti transects flown = 2 39 Appendix 3 List of terms Annual – occurring, or done every year. Body Condition – pertaining to amount of fat present, i.e., plenty of fat equals excellent body condition. Confidence Interval – statistical term for when the SE is combined with a probability (P) level to yield confidence limits (CL) and their interval, the confidence interval (CI). For example: at a P = 0.90 (alpha = 0.1) then assuming no bias a 90% CI is likely to contain the true population size in 90% of surveys of the same type and intensity. NOTE: it is incorrect to state that there is a 90% chance that the actual number of caribou in a survey area is within the CI. Criteria – standards set on which judgement can be made, i.e. the sex or age of a caribou. Density – the number of caribou per square kilometre of land area. Erratics – large stones and boulders left behind erratically on the landscape by former glaciations. Estimate – a calculation as to the likely or approximate size of the caribou population. Fecundity – related to fertility and is the potential level of reproductive performance of a population, which is usually much greater than the realised reproduction (fertility). However, fecundity and fertility are often used inconsistently and even interchangeably in the literature. Fertility – of a population is the number of live births over a time period, usually a year, e.g., the number of live births per female, or the number of female young born per female. To calculate fertility we need to know the average litter size, average number of litters produced per time interval (year) and the sex ratio at birth (Caughley 1977). Fertility Index – see also under recruitment. Is the ratio of calves to females, or calves to adults. Front-seat observer – only observer present during all survey flights, and sat in the front left seat of helicopter. In addition to counting caribou, this observer kept data record of caribou count/observer for each segment, recorded segment characteristics, determined herd structure, recorded miscellaneous data, and navigated for the pilot. Herd – see also under population. Greenlandic caribou seldom or never aggregate into large coherent groups. Group size typically stays under 4 animals, with groups scattered throughout a large area. Herd Structure – this is the sex and age distribution of the animals within a given population/herd. 40 Logistics – the obtaining, distribution, maintenance and replacement of field equipment and personnel. Management – e.g., wildlife management, which is the act of manipulating, directing, controlling, regulating and/or administrating the utilization of a wildlife resource and any number of the factors affecting that wildlife resource. Natural Mortality – all mortality due to factors other than hunting (disease, accident, starvation, predation, parasites, etc.). Net recruitment – or rate of increase of the herd is determined by subtracting the adult mortality rate from the gross recruitment. Nunatak – an isolated mountaintop sticking out of the inland Ice Cap. Population – see also under herd. All the animals of the same species living in a specific region, which do not mix with animals from other regions, i.e., they are reproductively isolated. A population is a demographic unit distinct by virtue of its unique density, distribution, birth & death rate, sex & age structure, immigration and emigration rates, and other demographic parameters. Population status – states a wildlife species’ occurrence and abundance, i.e., where and how many. Population analysis – attempts to determine herd structure (sex & age) and the forces controlling the composition of the population/herd. Population dynamics – in any analysis of herd structure and status the parameters are seldom if ever static, therefore the term population dynamics. Range – the extent of the land area on which the caribou wander and graze. The land area used during foraging/calving/rutting by the caribou, e.g., summer and winter ranges. The word is often synonymous with pasture or habitat; however, the term range brings vegetation to mind rather than for example topography. Reconnaissance – an inspection or exploration of an area to obtain information. Recruitment – see also under fertility index. Typically it is the late winter (March) value for calves/100 cows, which indicates the increment in caribou number for a specific population/herd from one year to the next. When specified, recruitment can also refer to number of calves/100 cows at other times of year. Sightability – degree of difficulty of actually seeing a caribou present within the strip flown, due to factors such as flight speed, flight altitude, patchy snow cover, etc. Terrain – refers to the land or ground, usually in conjunction with a description of topography, e.g., rough terrain, mountainous terrain, etc. 41