Matt Warner
Biology 1615
Article Outline
10-25-2014
Fragmentation, dispersal and metapopulation function in
remnant populations of endangered mountain caribou
The wilderness of Canada is made up of many different organisms that all
play an important role in their respective ecosystems. Without one of these species,
the others are at risk for different changes in their environment. In studies by H. van
Oort, B. N. McLellan, & R. Serrouya, one species in particular was monitored in
hopes of intervention of a slow extinction. The specie in question is the endangered
mountain caribou; in past studies, there has been a decline in the total number of
these animals. The total population of these animals was split up into 18 distinct sub
populations and now we are beginning to see some of these sub populations
dwindle.
In this study, researchers monitored the dispersal and fragmentation of
animals between one sub population and another. Dispersal is considered the rate
at which some animals (mostly adolescents) move from one breeding ground to
another or one herd to the next. Good dispersal leads to a generally larger
population in similar species. By studying the patterns of animals’ movements
between these different breeding grounds, researchers wanted to see if there is any
factor that could be used as plausible solution to the recent decrease in population.
By finding a means to revive this species and save them from extinction, we secure a
more stable future for the other wildlife in this ecosystem.
In order to perform this study, the researchers had observed the size of each
of the caribou sub populations and managed to safely fit tracking collars to 432
separate caribou. Through a technique called radio telemetry through the use of the
tracking collars fitted to these animals, researchers were able to observe herd
movements and create a visual representation on a map. This information was able
to better define the previously established breeding grounds and monitor any
fragmentation of these sub populations.
After studying the data that they had previously collected, the researchers
saw that this species did not move to a new breeding ground as quickly as other
species and in general did not have much movement. With these results, the
researchers could neither support nor reject the idea that the lack of dispersal is
what is causing the drop in population. They were not able to conclude if stimulating
dispersal would save the smaller sub populations.
Unfortunately, with the data collected, the researchers weren’t able to
determine if the smaller sub populations could be brought back at all by the
dispersal displayed by the collared individuals. If these researchers were able to
access more data from more individuals, they may be able to draw a better
conclusion. Another aspect that the researchers could have focused on was the age
of the individuals that were collared because it is usually in the adolescent stage
where we see most dispersal.
Reflective Writing
This assignment was helpful to me in many ways, I feel that as I did it I
needed to develop my critical thinking skills in order to determine what the
researchers were trying to do and why they were doing it. I felt that this would be
an easy assignment and that it wouldn’t take much to get done, but it was a
challenge at times trying to decide which parts of the article were important enough
to include in my summary. I believe I can use this skill in other assignments.
I also feel that this article assignment helped me to hone my ability to
communicate effectively. The article needed to be summarized in a way that makes
sense without plagiarizing the work of others and one needs to communicate well to
do that. Also I feel that communicating through writing like this summary is a
challenge for many people.