It is very important, because caribou are rather sensitive to a lot of human disturbances, including the combined effects of increased fire and human disturbances like roads and so forth, so when caribou populations begin to decline—they're at the leading edge because of their sensitivities—it's usually a very good indicator of other less prominent properties of the ecosystem that are also starting to decline.
On September 16th, 2024. See this statement in context.