An article about research into the ecological impact of gut parasites in caribou. The researchers "...developed a series of mathematical simulations to test how caribou survival, reproduction and feeding rate could be influenced by stomach worm (Ostertagia spp.) infections." They found that the effects of infection are similar to predation, with more plant growth being the end result of caribou sickened or killed by parasites. The authors suggest that changes in the abundance of parasites should be a factor considered in ecosystemic change.
Related herd: none
This resource and others can be found on the Northern Caribou Canada website. To find more related resources click here.