Differential habitat use and sexual segregation in the Central Arctic caribou herd

Abstract

Distribution of the Central Arctic caribou herd is characterized by segregation of the sexes and different habitat preferences by male and female caribou over most of the annual cycle. During all periods except late winter and postcalving, females showed a more northern distribution than did males. Females used riparian habitats less than availability and were generally farther from major river valleys than expected during all seasons except late winter. In contrast, males preferred riparian habitats from late winter to calving and were generally found closer to river valleys than were females from late winter to August dispersal. During the spring and calving periods near the coast females preferred sedge meadow and used riparian habitat less than availability whereas males preferred riparian and tussock tundra and used sedge meadow less than availability. It is theorized that sexual segregation and differential habitat use reflect predator avoidance strategies of females with calves and optimal foraging by adult males.