Behavioural, physiological, and movement relationships between barren-ground caribou and industrial infrastructure in the Northwest Territories

I investigated the behavioural, physiological, and movement responses of barren-ground caribou to the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road in the central Northwest Territories. Previous research on the zone of influence around industrial infrastructure indicates that caribou avoid these industrial disturbances. This response implies changes in the behaviour, physiology, and movement of caribou as well. I used a multi-method approach to investigate these hypothesized changes for caribou adjacent to the road, employing behavioural observations, assessment of levels of fecal glucocorticoids, and GPS collar data. My results suggest that caribou change their behaviour and movement near the winter road. They engaged in more walking and less foraging near the road, though no relationship was found between the level of fecal glucocorticoids and proximity to the winter road. Using a novel estimation of traffic activity, I demonstrated that caribou crossing of the winter road was negatively correlated with the level of traffic. This barrier effect was not just related to the road’s right-of-way as caribou crossed roads when they were closed to traffic and the probability of selecting a crossing site was extremely low when normal levels of traffic occurred. My results provide new insights on the spatial, behavioural, and physiological responses of caribou when adjacent to industrial features. These findings can guide monitoring and mitigation of existing infrastructure and assist with the evaluation of impacts of proposed mines and roads.