NPS: Nature & Science » Networks: Central Alaska Network

Vital Signs: Animals

Bull Moose, Denali

A major component of the biota of national parklands is animal life. The Central Alaska Network has identified animal distribution and abundance as one of its top three vital signs. A suite of 15 vertebrate species has been chosen to represent the condition of network fauna as a whole. These species span the significant elevation gradient and habitats found in CAKN parks. In addition, the Central Alaska Network has included some keystone and special interest species.

The animal species chosen for monitoring by the Central Alaska Network were selected based on 4 criteria:

A balanced representation of both land and aquatic species.
A balanced representation of high and low elevation species.
Critical, or keystone, herbivores and top predators.
Species that individual parks consider a management priority.

CAKN Vital Signs:

Animals

Arctic Ground Squirrel
Bald Eagles
Brown Bears
Caribou
Freshwater Fish
Golden Eagles*
Macroinvertebrates*
Moose*
Passerines*
Peregrine Falcon*
Ptarmigan
Sheep
Small Mammals*
Snowshoe Hare*
Wolves*

Vital Sign	Where	Details
Arctic Ground Squirrel	Network wide	Track distribution & abundance
Bald Eagles	WRST	Measure occupancy of nesting territories, reproductive success, & survival
Brown Bears	Network wide	Take population estimates, track geograhic extent
Caribou	Network wide	Take population estimates of herd size, track geographic extent
Freshwater Fish	Network wide	Track presence & absence
Golden Eagles	DENA	Measure occupancy of nesting territories & reproductive success of golden eagles & gyrfalcons (a species nesting in close proximity)
Macroinvertebrates	Network wide	Track species richness & abundance in selected lakes & ponds
Moose	Network wide	Track changes in abundance, distribution, composition, reproductive success, and annual human harvest
Passerines	Network wide	Track population trends, community composition & distribution, & Species of Conservation Concern
Peregrine Falcon	YUCH	Measure occupancy of nesting territories, reproductive success, eggshell thickness & contaminant levels
Ptarmigan	Network wide	Track distribution & abundance
Sheep	Network wide	Take population estimates, track geograhic extent
Small Mammals	DENA	Take density estimates, track geographic extent
Snowshoe Hare	Network wide	Track distribution & abundance
Wolves	Network wide	Track changes in abundance, distribution, composition, reproductive success, and mortality including annual human harvest

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Vital Signs: Animals

Vital Sign

Where

Details