Arctic Fox Climate Report

Effects of Climate, Distribution, and Human Interaction in Declining Arctic Fox Population What if a species is declining uncontrollably, but there is lack of response and awareness to these regions needing help? The Vulpes lagopus (Arctic fox) is categorized as ‘least concern’ in risk of extinction. However, it is important to analyze the trends since they are looking grim for future populations (Angerbjörn, Berteaux, & Ims, 2012). The Arctic fox population is declining in Nordic and North American regions of the world. Climate change is also an increasing concern for the planet, as it is increasing temperatures in the Arctic. Distribution of Arctic foxes range from inland to coastal regions, with varying degrees of coping mechanisms and
availability of prey as well as disease (Vertefeuille, 2016). Climate change has also been investigated to see if it relates to the decline of the Arctic fox, as this species is typically from northern regions in which climate change is negatively affecting these regions (Fuglei & Ims, 2005, 2008). The alterations in their environment result in a need to follow new mechanisms for survival in order to adapt to their surroundings. Furthermore, climate change may positively affect their predators or competitor species and may negatively affect their prey. Other factors that affect the Arctic fox are the human interactions of hunting and captivity (Angerbjörn & Tannerfeldt, 2014). This all poses the question of why the Arctic fox population is declining and what is causing this decline, could climate change be a major factor? Increased scientific evidence compellingly shows that climate change has been a major factor, along with other factors of distribution effects and human contact, in the decline of the Arctic Fox population in the Nordic and North American regions. Human interactions have played a role in the mortality of Arctic foxes, as they have been hunted for many years.
The Arctic fox is known for their luscious white fur, which allures the hunters for the warmth and appearance (Angerbjörn & Tannerfeldt, 2014). The fur trade impacted the Arctic Fox population greatly because of the high quality pelt they produced (Vertefeuille, 2016). This made it a very desirable target to trade and wear for humans. However, the fur trade decreased drastically and Arctic fox populations are not as susceptible to overexploitation as before (Vertefeuille, 2016). Still, native populations hunt for this fur (Vertefeuille, 2016), since they live near the foxes in the Arctic and value its fur for warmth and accessory. The disease and genetic pollution is also another major threat for the foxes bred in captivity (Angerbjörn & Tannerfeldt, 2014). They are held in captivity to produce their furs, but the confinements of being bred in the caged areas promote those negative factors. Further problem is associated with the human interaction in North America, as Arctic foxes that are not native to the area of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska are being directly killed (Angerbjörn et al., 2012). This is because of conservation efforts regarding the bird population, since the Arctic foxes are predators (Angerbjörn et al., 2012). However, they are lessening the Arctic fox population and need to realize this before it is too late. Therefore, the human interactions with the Arctic fox increase their mortality
rates. Prey fluctuations also negatively affect the population trends of the Arctic fox. It is important to understand that Arctic foxes are carnivorous on the top of the trophic level. Therefore, they are dependent primarily on smaller rodents, such as the Lemmini (lemming) and Microtus (vole) (Shirley, Elmhagen, Lurz, Rushton, & Angerbjörn, 2009). However, prey have fluctuations in their life cycles within the Arctic, which causes concern for the Arctic fox regarding food supply (Angerbjörn et al., 2012; Dalerum & Angerbjörn, 2000; Fuglei & Ims, 2005, 2008; Roth, 2003; Shirley et al., 2009). Smaller rodent populations are unstable and the Arctic fox is vulnerable in times of scarcity. They are highly dependent on lemmings; however, fluctuations in the lemming population negatively affect the Arctic fox population. Conversely, the population of Arctic fox typically increases when there is an increase in lemming population. This was seen in 2011, as there was an increase in lemming and Arctic fox populations with the highest reproductive rates since 1970 (Angerbjörn & Tannerfeldt, 2014). It is found that mortality rates of Arctic foxes significantly correlate with the decrease in lemming or vole populations (Dalerum & Angerbjörn, 2000).