APECS International Online Conference 2021_Poster presentation video – Ludovic Landry-Ducharme

FESCH.TV INFORMIERT:

APECS International Online Conference 2021 – Poster presentation – Session 4

Presenter: Ludovic Landry-Ducharme

Institution: Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR)

Type: Poster

Category: Arctic

Abstract: Movement is key to animal survival in poor environments such as the polar deserts of Northern Canada. Studying animal movement is thus crucial to better understand Arctic ecosystems. In 2019, we documented with satellite telemetry a large-scale mass movement of Arctic hares captured around Alert (Ellesmere Island, Canada), going towards the Lake Hazen basin in the Quttinirpaaq National Park of Canada. Arctic hare migrations had already been suggested, but never demonstrated. Where Arctic hare populations are large, such as on Ellesmere Island, identifying the factors influencing habitat selection of this species across seasons will improve our knowledge on the dynamics of the entire tundra ecosystem. My project aims to determine the main factors explaining habitat selection of Arctic hares at the local and regional scales in the northern part of Ellesmere Island. In summer 2019, 25 hares were equipped with Argos satellite collars near Canadian Force Station Alert and tracked until spring 2020. In summer 2021, we plan to deploy GPS-Iridium collars on 20 more hares, yielding more precise locations than Argos collars. We expect Arctic hare habitat selection to be influenced by plant cover and landscape topography, but that it may vary depending on the 4 main phases of their life cycle (summer, winter, and spring/fall relocation phases). Hares rearing young around Alert during summer should select rocky and hilly areas, which provide good shelter from predators. In winter, they should occupy habitats with good primary productivity and limited snow accumulation. During their fall and spring relocations, hares should travel routes crossing plant-rich patches to replenish their energy reserves. It is surprising how little is still known about polar desert ecology, thus this research will help describe key aspects of wildlife biology in the northernmost region of Canada.