Behavioral adaptations of Arctic fox, Vulpes lagopus in response to climate change
Narbayev S. Minzhanova G. Zubova O. Toshbekov B. Rasulovich M.A. Sapaev B. Sattarovich A.A. Nazora X. Tolmasovich K.G. Murodbekovich A.D. Nasimov I. Khamzaevna R.M. Khudaynazarovna T.I.
December 2024University of Guilan
Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
2024#22Issue 51011 - 1019 pp.
Climate change is rapidly altering Arctic ecosystems, forcing native species to adapt. This study investigated the behavioral adaptations of Arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus in response to climate change, focusing on changes in hunting patterns, den site selection, and social interactions. Over three years (2021-2023) in northern Alaska, we employed GPS tracking of 60 foxes, 100 remote camera traps, and direct field observations. We analyzed den site characteristics, prey availability, and environmental data. Generalized linear mixed models assessed relationships between environmental variables and fox behaviors. Significant shifts in behavior were observed: Diurnal foraging activity increased by 30.1%; den sites at elevations above 100m increased by 13%; cooperative hunting behaviors, particularly among non-kin groups, rose by 15.2%. Diet composition changed markedly, with lemming consumption decreasing from 62.3% to 33.7%, offset by increases in alternative prey. Hunting success rates for cooperative strategies improved, especially for marine prey (13.7% increase). Arctic foxes demonstrated remarkable behavioral plasticity in response to climate change, rapidly altering their hunting patterns, den site preferences, and social dynamics. While these adaptations suggest resilience, their long-term implications for Arctic fox populations and tundra ecosystems remain uncertain, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.
Arctic ecosystems , Arctic Fox , Behavioral adaptation , Climate change , Cooperative hunting , Den Site Selection
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Department of Hunting and Fisheries, Faculty of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, S.Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Astana, Kazakhstan
UNESCO, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
UNESCO, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of History, Politics and International Relations, Webster University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Department of Operative Surgery and Topographic Anatomy, Samarkand State Medical University, Uzbekistan
Department of Pharmaceuticals and Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Alfraganus University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Western Caspian University, Scientific researcher, Baku, Azerbaijan
Namangan State University, Uzbekistan
Navoi State University of Mining and Technologies, Navoi, Uzbekistan
Department of Pathological Physiology, Samarkand State Medical University, Uzbekistan
Department of Fruits and Vegetables At the Urganch State University, Uzbekistan
Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov, University Boulevard, 15, Samarkand, 703004, Uzbekistan
Kokand State Pedagogical Institute, Fergana region, Kokand, 150700, Uzbekistan
Department of Psychology, Uzbekistan-Finland Pedagogical Institute, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Department of Hunting and Fisheries
UNESCO
UNESCO
Department of History
Department of Operative Surgery and Topographic Anatomy
Department of Pharmaceuticals and Chemistry
Western Caspian University
Namangan State University
Navoi State University of Mining and Technologies
Department of Pathological Physiology
Department of Fruits and Vegetables At the Urganch State University
Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov
Kokand State Pedagogical Institute
Department of Psychology
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