Evaluating How Snow Avalanches Impact Mountain Goat Populations in Southeast Alaska

Snow avalanches alter mountain environments and have both beneficial and harmful effects on wildlife. Avalanches can benefit wildlife by creating open areas for grazing but can also be deadly when animals are buried in avalanche debris. Avalanches pose high risks to mountain goats because they inhabit rugged and steep terrain, but the actual impacts of avalanches on mountain goats remain unknown.  

The goal of this project is to understand how avalanches impact mountain goat habitat and mortality in the Coast Mountains of southeast Alaska. The research team will use long-term data collected from 434 mountain goats outfitted with GPS collars from 2005 to 2022 and avalanche hazard maps to understand how mountain goats use avalanche hazard zones compared to other types of terrain, and the role that avalanches play in mountain goat mortality.  

Effective management of this iconic species for cultural, conservation, and subsistence purposes relies on information on how mountain goat populations in the region will be affected by changes in climate and snowfall. For example, project findings will contribute to the Chilkat Indian Village’s climate change vulnerability planning efforts. Results will also be used by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Native Tribal entities, Federal resource management agencies, and NGOs.