Synchrony in lemming and vole populations in the Canadian Arctic

Krebs, Charles J.; Kenney, Alice J.; Gilbert, Scott F.; Danell, Kjell; Angerbjörn, Anders; Erlinge, Sam; Bromley, Robert G.; Shank, Chris; Carrière, Suzanne

doi:10.1139/z02-120

Cited by 85 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(40 reference statements)

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“…2. In Vindelfjällen, Borgafjäll and Helags, small rodents were trapped along transects in mountain tundra habitat of varying types within Arctic fox territories in July 2001-2013, following the trapping protocol described by Krebs et al (2002). Here, we called these lines "Krebs lines".…”

Section: Species Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial distribution in Norwegian lemming Lemmus lemmus in relation to the phase of the cycle

et al. 2018

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Competition between individuals of the same or different species affects spatial distribution of organisms at any given time. Consequently, a species geographical distribution is related to population dynamics through density-dependent processes. Small Arctic rodents are important prey species in many Arctic ecosystems. They commonly show large cyclic fluctuations in abundance offering a potential to investigate how landscape characteristics relates to density-dependent habitat selection. Based on long-term summer trapping data of the Norwegian lemming (Lemmus lemmus) in the Scandinavian Mountain tundra, we applied species distribution modeling to test if the effect of environmental variables on lemming distribution changed in relation to the lemming cycle. Lemmings were less habitat specific during the peak phase, as their distribution was only related to primary productivity. During the increase phase, however, lemming distribution was, in addition, associated with landscape characteristics such as hilly terrain and slopes that are less likely to get flooded. Lemming habitat use varied during the cycle, suggesting density-dependent changes in habitat selection that could be explained by intraspecific competition. We believe that the distribution patterns observed during the increase phase show a stronger ecological signal for habitat preference and that the less specific habitat use during the peak phase is a result of lemmings grazing themselves out of the best habitat as the population grows. Future research on lemming winter distribution would make it possible to investigate the year around strategies of habitat selection in lemmings and a better understanding of a fundamental actor in many Arctic ecosystems.

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Section: Species Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial distribution in Norwegian lemming Lemmus lemmus in relation to the phase of the cycle

et al. 2018

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“…The variability in the cycle length is largely the duration of the low numbers phase. An additional characteristic is that spatial synchrony of peak abundance is regional (voles) or continental (snowshoe hares) (Krebs et al, 2002).…”

Section: Smaller Herbivore Cyclesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Voles, lemmings and caribou - population cycles revisited?

Gunn¹

2003

Ran

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Although we may be confident that many caribou populations fluctuate, we have not made much progress in linking patterns of fluctuations with their underlying processes. Caribou abundance is relatively synchronized across continents and over decades which points to climatic variation as a causative factor. Progress on describing intrinsic and extrinsic factors for smaller-bodied and larger-bodied mammalian herbivore population dynamics also reveals the role of climatic variation and specifically decadal variations. Based on experience elsewhere, we can expect complex relationships between caribou, climatic variation and their forage rather than simple correlations. Caribou responses to decadal trends in climate likely accumulate through successive cohorts as changes in body mass which, in turn, leads to changes in life¬ time reproductive success.

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“…-Populations over large geographical regions tend to be in phase so that all tend to peak in the same yearthere is geographical synchrony [27]. -Population growth occurs most rapidly in the winter period rather than in the summer [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two attempts have been made to reduce predation on lemming populations by fencing out predators. Reid et al [31] fenced 11 ha of tundra with a perimeter fence and an aerial These data are discussed in more detail in Krebs et al [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Of lemmings and snowshoe hares: the ecology of northern Canada

2010

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Two population oscillations dominate terrestrial community dynamics in northern Canada. In the boreal forest, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) fluctuates in cycles with an 8-10 year periodicity and in tundra regions lemmings typically fluctuate in cycles with a 3-4 year periodicity. I review 60 years of research that has uncovered many of the causes of these population cycles, outline areas of controversy that remain and suggest key questions to address. Lemmings are keystone herbivores in tundra ecosystems because they are a key food resource for many avian and mammalian predators and are a major consumer of plant production. There remains much controversy over the role of predation, food shortage and social interactions in causing lemming cycles. Predation is well documented as a significant mortality factor limiting numbers. Food shortage is less likely to be a major limiting factor on population growth in lemmings. Social interactions might play a critical role in reducing the rate of population growth as lemming density rises. Snowshoe hares across the boreal forest are a key food for many predators and their cycles have been the subject of large-scale field experiments that have pinpointed predation as the key limiting factor causing these fluctuations. Predators kill hares directly and indirectly stress them by unsuccessful pursuits. Stress reduces the reproductive rate of female hares and is transmitted to their offspring who also suffer reduced reproductive rates. The maternal effects produced by predation risk induce a time lag in the response of hare reproductive rate to density, aiding the cyclic dynamics.

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Synchrony in lemming and vole populations in the Canadian Arctic

Cited by 85 publications

References 33 publications

Spatial distribution in Norwegian lemming Lemmus lemmus in relation to the phase of the cycle

Spatial distribution in Norwegian lemming Lemmus lemmus in relation to the phase of the cycle

Voles, lemmings and caribou - population cycles revisited?

Of lemmings and snowshoe hares: the ecology of northern Canada

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