Qiviut Trace and Macro Element Profile Reflects Muskox Population Trends

Abstract

Understanding the drivers influencing ungulate population dynamics is crucial for developing conservation and management strategies to support wildlife health. Trace and macro elements are vital for ungulate growth, reproduction and survival. Thus, the trajectory of wildlife populations may be associated with element imbalances. Element concentrations can be measured in hair, an increasingly recognised bio-monitoring tool. However, a better understanding of the relevance for wild ungulate population dynamics is needed. This study aimed to assess if element profiles in hair reflected the population trajectory of a keystone Arctic ungulate, muskox Ovibos moschatus, and whether benchmarks could be defined for element concentrations to assess population status. We measured qiviut (hair) element concentrations of 11 muskox populations ranging across northern America, including Greenland, and evaluated the association between element concentrations and different population trajectories. Seven trace and macro elements differentiated increasing populations from declining and stable populations using linear discriminant analysis. In general, copper, selenium, iron, manganese and cobalt tended to be at higher concentrations in increasing populations, whereas zinc and calcium were generally at lower concentrations in these populations, though variations were observed among populations. Benchmarks were defined for copper, selenium and iron, indicating populations were more likely to decline below a threshold concentration of these elements (‘limit’) and increase above a threshold concentration (‘target’). ‘Limit’ benchmarks were defined for zinc and calcium where populations were more likely to be increasing below this threshold value. Hair element profiles are a useful indicator of population trajectory in wild ungulate populations. Identified benchmarks can be used to assess population status, complementing ongoing but irregular and expensive monitoring efforts like population surveys, while trace element concentrations can provide insights into the mechanisms driving population change. Hair samples can easily be collected non-invasively or alongside other monitoring activities, enhancing proactive wildlife management and conservation.