(Press-News.org) The Pacific walrus, a critically important resource for Alaska and Chukotka Native communities, is subject to rapid habitat loss associated with climate change and increasing human activity in the Arctic. New research published in the Journal of Wildlife Management assessed the sustainability of varying degrees of Pacific walrus harvest to the end of the 21st century under different climate and human disturbance scenarios.
These scenarios ranged from optimistic to pessimistic, based largely on sea ice projections from general circulation models.
The study’s results indicated that current rates of Pacific walrus harvest are within a sustainable range and will continue to be under all scenarios considered—provided that the population abundance is assessed at regular intervals and that changes in harvest levels match changes in population dynamics. An annually consistent harvest level that doesn’t consider these population dynamics would not be sustainable.
“This modeling framework can be used by managers and stakeholders to explore future scenarios and promote the continued sustainability of the Pacific walrus population,” said corresponding author Devin L. Johnson, PhD, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.22686
Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.
About the Journal
The Journal of Wildlife Management publishes original research contributing to fundamental wildlife science. Topics encompass biology and ecology of wildlife and their habitats with implications for conservation or management.
About Wiley
Wiley is one of the world’s largest publishers and a trusted leader in research and learning. Our industry-leading content, services, platforms, and knowledge networks are tailored to meet the evolving needs of our customers and partners, including researchers, students, instructors, professionals, institutions, and corporations. We empower knowledge-seekers to transform today’s biggest obstacles into tomorrow’s brightest opportunities. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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Researchers assess the sustainability of the Pacific walrus population over the next 75 years
2024-12-04
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