Marmot Mayhem. The Marmot and its Shadow in a Climate of Uncertainty [Mutilation de la marmotte. La marmotte et son ombre dans un climat d'incertitude].

Résumé

Marmots are one of the most widespread alpine mammals in the world living in most of the mountain areas in the northern hemisphere. They are often portrayed as a symbol of mountain wilderness, but are marmots a symbol of ecosystem integrity in mountain regions? Five of the six marmot species in North America inhabit mountain areas. The conservation status of these marmots is uncertain except for one which is certainly on the verge of extinction. Climate change is the greatest threat to our mountain ecosystems. Will marmots be the first animal to respond to change? Near Kluane Lake, we have been conducting a detailed study of hoary marmots since 1999 in order to determine what environmental factors control their population size. This information serves two purposes. First, to make predictions about the future state of marmot populations under climate change scenarios, and second, to make informed decisions for reintroduction strategies of the endangered Vancouver Island marmot.