1. Climate change in the Arctic is two to three times faster than anywhere else in the world. It is therefore crucial to understand the effects of weather on keystone arctic species, particularly those such as caribou (Rangifer tarandus) that sustain northern communities. Bridging long‐term scientific and indigenous knowledge offers a promising path to achieve this goal, as both types of knowledge can complement one another.
2. We assessed the influence of environmental variables on the spring and fall body condition of caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd. This herd ranges in the Yukon and Northwest Territories (Canada) and Alaska (USA), and is the only large North American herd that has not declined since the 2000s. Using observations recorded through an indigenous community‐based monitoring programme between 2000 and 2010, we analysed temporal trends in caribou condition and quantified the effects of weather and critical weather‐dependent variables (insect harassment and vegetation growth), on spring (n = 617 individuals) and fall (n = 711) caribou condition.
3. Both spring and fall body condition improved from 2000 to 2010, despite a continuous population increase of ca. 3.6% per year. Spring and fall caribou condition were influenced by weather on the winter and spring ranges, particularly snow conditions and spring temperatures. Both snow conditions and spring temperatures improved during our study period, likely contributing to the observed caribou population increase. Insect harassment during the previous summer and the frequency of icing events also influenced caribou condition.
4. Synthesis and applications. Our study shows how untangling the relative influences of seasonal weather variables allows a much better understanding of variation in seasonal body condition of caribou. It indicates that a large migratory caribou population can grow and improve condition in a global context of caribou decline and climate warming, thereby warning against generalizations about the influence of climate on all caribou populations. Finally, it testifies how data from indigenous community‐based monitoring can remarkably improve ecological understanding of wildlife sustaining human communities. Where possible, we recommend management practices that respectfully engage with indigenous community‐based monitoring, as this can enhance knowledge and relationships with communities, both prerequisites of successful resource management.

中文翻译：

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融合土著和科学知识将气候与大量迁徙驯鹿人口的增长联系起来

1. 北极的气候变化比世界其他地方快两到三倍。因此，至关重要的是要了解天气对主要的北极北极物种的影响，尤其是那些维持北部社区的驯鹿（Rangifer tarandus）。长期科学知识和本土知识的融合为实现这一目标提供了一条有希望的途径，因为两种知识都可以相互补充。
2. 我们评估了环境变量对豪猪驯鹿群驯鹿春季和秋季身体状况的影响。该牛群分布在育空地区和西北地区（加拿大）和阿拉斯加（美国），并且是自2000年代以来唯一没有下降的北美大牛群。利用2000年至2010年通过土著社区监测计划记录的观测资料，我们分析了驯鹿状况的时空趋势，并量化了天气和春季天气对关键气候变量（昆虫骚扰和植被生长）的影响（n  = 617个人） ）和下降（n  = 711）驯鹿的状态。
3. 尽管人口持续增长，从2000年到2010年，春季和秋季的身体状况均得到改善。每年3.6％。春季和秋季驯鹿的状况受到冬季和春季范围内天气的影响，特别是雪况和春季温度。在我们的研究期间，雪况和春季温度均得到改善，这可能有助于观察到的北美驯鹿种群增加。前一个夏季的昆虫骚扰和结冰事件的发生频率也影响了驯鹿的状况。
4. 综合与应用。我们的研究表明，如何理清季节性天气变量的相对影响，才能更好地了解北美驯鹿的季节性身体状况。它表明，在全球范围内驯鹿数量减少和气候变暖的情况下，大量的迁徙驯鹿种群可以生长和改善状况，从而警告人们不要笼统地说气候对所有驯鹿种群的影响。最后，它证明了来自土著社区的监测数据如何显着改善对维持人类社区的野生生物的生态理解。在可能的情况下，我们建议管理实践应与基于社区的本地监督密切配合，因为这可以增强成功的资源管理的先决条件，即与社区的知识和关系。