Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Predicting Change

For thousands of years, the Gwich’in people of Arctic Canada have observed and hunted the Porcupine Caribou Herd.

But in recent years, they have seen changes: Spring migrations have been off-schedule. And herd size has declined. They have also noted deeper snows and more insects in summer. What might all of this mean for the future of the Porcupine Herd?

To help predict the future, scientists have built a computer model. Check out a simplified version of this model here.

Have you walked through deep, wet snow?  It is tiring. It is also more difficult for the caribou to dig for food.

Photo © Bryan and Cherry Alexander Photography