Conflicts between herders and the wild ancestors of their yaks, camels and reindeer are a serious threat to both people and wildlife, writes a scientist who has seen these clashes firsthand.
Old spruce and fir forest, over 300 years old.
(Maxence Martin)
Maxence Martin, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and Nicole Fenton, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
The remoteness and small size of old-growth boreal trees should not make us forget their high ecological importance and the many threats they face.
Satellite image of a forest fire in July 2021 in northern Saskatchewan (Wapawekka Hills). The image covers an area of about 56 kilometres in width and is based on Copernicus Sentinel data.
(Pierre Markuse), CC BY 2.0
Victor Danneyrolles, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC); Raphaël Chavardès, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), and Yves Bergeron, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
North America’s boreal forests have been burning a lot, probably more and more over the past 60 years. Yet the long-term trend indicates that they are burning less than they were 150 years ago.
George River Caribou outside of Nain, Nunatsiavut, Labrador.
(David Borish)
Woodland caribou populations are on the decline because human activity changes their habitat and exposes them to predation by wolves. But changing wolves’ hunting habits may protect the caribou.
Once described by West Moberly Elders as being as abundant as “bugs on the landscape,” caribou populations are now rapidly disappearing.
(Giguere/Wildlife Infometrics)
Genetic analysis of caribou populations reveals that some groups are genetically more predisposed to migrating than others. But human activities are affecting these behaviours.
The changing hunting behaviour of wolves is threatening caribou.
(Shutterstock)
The hunting territories of wolves in the northern boreal forests are changing, in part due to the convenience of trails built for logging. This has placed caribou at an even greater risk.
Doug Ford’s government is undercutting the environment by giving business and development the upper hand.
2016’s warm winter meant not enough snow for the start of the Iditarod sled dog race in Anchorage, so it was brought by train from 360 miles north.
AP/Rachel D'Oro
For everyone from traditional hunters to the military, the National Park Service to the oil industry, climate change is the new reality in Alaska. Government, residents and businesses are all trying to adapt.
The wilderness in Canada’s parks is shrinking due to encroaching business. Pictured here: the Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park is cantilevered 280 metres over the Sunwapta Valley floor.
(Jack Borno/Wikimedia)