Summer Habitat Use by Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and Peary Caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) in the Canadian High Arctic

Summer d ai ly activity and movement patterns end habttut selectivity by Peary caribou (Ranqiier taranclus pcc/[yi) anel m us k ox cn (Ovibos moschalus) were studiecl at two s ites in Cenadas High Arche. Caribou sh cw ed a qr e ater mobihty and broaeler selectton of h abf tat than muskoxen. Muskoxen red more th an thcy rested in contrast to the qr e ate r amount of time sperrt resling th an feeding by carib ou, The sedqc-producinq hydric-meaclow vegetation type was highly selecled for by muskoxen at both s tudy are as: carib ou s e lected against th e h y dri c-mc adcw type an d preferred th e polar clesert end mes ic-meedow types. Caribou displayed a greater variety in plant species s e lec tion than muskoxen, favouring willow (Soli arcticcn, grasses, forbs, and the flowers of vesculer plants. Muskoxen fed extensivelyon sedges in the hvdrtc-meadow. It is suggested the abunclance end distribution of sedqe-prcducmq me adcws me y control the regional abundance and d is tr ibution of muskoxen. Winter climate is probably the u ltimate factor controlling densities of muskoxen anel canbou in the High Aretic. Zusammenfassung: Sommerliche Tagesaktivitt, und Habitat-Prferenzen des Peary-Karibus (Rangifer tarandus pewyi) und Moschusochsen (OviIJos moschatus) wurden an zwei Stellen in der kanadischen Hocharktis untersucht. Die Karibus zeigten dabei eine grere Mobilitt und breiter nefcherte Habitat-Wahl als die Moschusochsen. Im Gegensatz zu den Karibus verbrachten die Moschusochsen mehr Zeit mit der Nahrunqssuche als mit Ausruhen. Die an Seggen reichen