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Gauthier G, Ehrich D, Belke-Brea M, Domine F, Alisauskas R, Clark K, Ecke F, Eide NE, Framstad E, Frandsen J, Gilg O, Henttonen H, Hörnfeldt B, Kataev GD, Menyushina IE, Oksanen L, Oksanen T, Olofsson J, Samelius G, Sittler B, Smith PA, Sokolov AA, Sokolova NA, Schmidt NM. Taking the beat of the Arctic: are lemming population cycles changing due to winter climate? Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232361. [PMID: 38351802 PMCID: PMC10865006 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Reports of fading vole and lemming population cycles and persisting low populations in some parts of the Arctic have raised concerns about the spread of these fundamental changes to tundra food web dynamics. By compiling 24 unique time series of lemming population fluctuations across the circumpolar region, we show that virtually all populations displayed alternating periods of cyclic/non-cyclic fluctuations over the past four decades. Cyclic patterns were detected 55% of the time (n = 649 years pooled across sites) with a median periodicity of 3.7 years, and non-cyclic periods were not more frequent in recent years. Overall, there was an indication for a negative effect of warm spells occurring during the snow onset period of the preceding year on lemming abundance. However, winter duration or early winter climatic conditions did not differ on average between cyclic and non-cyclic periods. Analysis of the time series shows that there is presently no Arctic-wide collapse of lemming cycles, even though cycles have been sporadic at most sites during the last decades. Although non-stationary dynamics appears a common feature of lemming populations also in the past, continued warming in early winter may decrease the frequency of periodic irruptions with negative consequences for tundra ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Gauthier
- Department of Biology and Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec city, Québec, Canada
| | - Dorothée Ehrich
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Maria Belke-Brea
- Department of Geography, Takuvik Joint International Laboratory and Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec city, Québec, Canada
| | - Florent Domine
- Department of Chemistry, Takuvik Joint International Laboratory and Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec city, Québec, Canada
- CNRS-INSU, Paris, France
| | - Ray Alisauskas
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Karin Clark
- Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
| | - Frauke Ecke
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina E. Eide
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim/Oslo, Norway
| | - Erik Framstad
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim/Oslo, Norway
| | - Jay Frandsen
- Western Arctic Field Unit, Parks Canada, Kingmingya, Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada
| | - Olivier Gilg
- UMR 6249 Chrono-Environnement, CNRS, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Francheville, France
- Groupe de recherche en Écologie Arctique, Francheville, France
| | - Heikki Henttonen
- Terrestrial Population Dynamics, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Birger Hörnfeldt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | | | - Lauri Oksanen
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Alta, Norway
- Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Tarja Oksanen
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Alta, Norway
- Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Johan Olofsson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Benoit Sittler
- Groupe de recherche en Écologie Arctique, Francheville, France
- Chair for Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Paul A. Smith
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aleksandr A. Sokolov
- Arctic Research Station of Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Labytnangi, Russia
| | - Natalia A. Sokolova
- Arctic Research Station of Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Labytnangi, Russia
| | - Niels M. Schmidt
- Department of Ecoscience and Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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2
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Hjeljord O, Loe LE. The roles of climate and alternative prey in explaining 142 years of declining willow ptarmigan hunting yield. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olav Hjeljord
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian Univ. of Life Sciences Aas Norway
| | - Leif Egil Loe
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian Univ. of Life Sciences Aas Norway
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3
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Vigués J, Norén K, Wilkinson C, Stoessel M, Angerbjörn A, Dalerum F. Abundance, predation, and habitat associations of lemming winter nests in northern Sweden. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Vigués
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Karin Norén
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Caitlin Wilkinson
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring Swedish Museum of Natural History Stockholm Sweden
| | - Marianne Stoessel
- Department of Physical Geography Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | | | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, UO‐CSIC‐PA), Spanish National Research Council, Research Building, Mieres Campus Mieres Spain
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria Hatfield South Africa
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4
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Gomo G, Mattisson J, Rød-Eriksen L, Eide NE, Odden M. Spatiotemporal patterns of red fox scavenging in forest and tundra: the influence of prey fluctuations and winter conditions. MAMMAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-021-00566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractConcern has been raised regarding red fox (Vulpes Vulpes) population increase and range expansion into alpine tundra, directly and indirectly enhanced by human activities, including carrion supply, and its negative impact on native fauna. In this study, we used cameras on bait stations and hunting remains to investigate how spatiotemporal patterns of red fox scavenging were influenced by abundance and accessibility of live prey, i.e., small rodent population cycles, snow depth, and primary productivity. We found contrasting patterns of scavenging between habitats during winter. In alpine areas, use of baits was highest post rodent peaks and when snow depth was low. This probably reflected relatively higher red fox abundance due to increased reproduction or migration of individuals from neighboring areas, possibly also enhanced by a diet shift. Contrastingly, red fox use of baits in the forest was highest during rodent low phase, and when snow was deep, indicating a higher dependency of carrion under these conditions. Scavenging patterns by red fox on the pulsed but predictable food resource from hunting remains in the autumn revealed no patterns throughout the rodent cycle. In this study, we showed that small rodent dynamics influenced red fox scavenging, at least in winter, but with contrasting patterns depending on environmental conditions. In marginal alpine areas, a numerical response to higher availability of rodents possible lead to the increase in bait visitation the proceeding winter, while in more productive forest areas, low availability of rodents induced a functional diet shift towards scavenging.
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5
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Yue RPH, Lee HF. The delayed effect of cooling reinforced the NAO-plague connection in pre-industrial Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 762:143122. [PMID: 33129517 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies on the connection between climate and plague were mostly conducted without considering the influence of large-scale atmospheric circulations and long-term historical observations. The current study seeks to reveal the sophisticated role of climatic control on plague by investigating the combined effect of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and temperature on plague outbreaks in Europe from 1347 to 1760 CE. Moving correlation analysis is applied to explore the non-linear relationship between NAO and plague transmission over time. Also, we apply the cross-correlation function to identify the role of temperature in mediating the NAO-plague connection and the lead-lag relationship in between. Our statistical results show that the pathway from climate change to plague incidence is distinctive in its spatial, temporal, and non-linear patterns. The multi-decadal temperature change exerted a 15-22 years lagged impact on the NAO-plague correlation in different European regions. The NAO-plague correlation in Atlantic-Central Europe primarily remained positive, while the correlation in Mediterranean Europe switched between positive and negative alternately. The modulating effect of temperature over the NAO-plague correlation increases exponentially with the magnitude of the temperature anomaly, but the effect is negligible between 0.3 and -0.3 °C anomaly. Our findings show that a lagged influence from the temperature extremes dominantly controls the correlation between NAO and plague incidence. A forecast from our study suggests that large-scale plague outbreaks are unlikely to happen in Europe if NAO remains at its current positive phase during the earth's future warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricci P H Yue
- Department of Public Policy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Harry F Lee
- Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
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6
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Andreassen HP, Sundell J, Ecke F, Halle S, Haapakoski M, Henttonen H, Huitu O, Jacob J, Johnsen K, Koskela E, Luque-Larena JJ, Lecomte N, Leirs H, Mariën J, Neby M, Rätti O, Sievert T, Singleton GR, van Cann J, Vanden Broecke B, Ylönen H. Population cycles and outbreaks of small rodents: ten essential questions we still need to solve. Oecologia 2021; 195:601-622. [PMID: 33369695 PMCID: PMC7940343 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04810-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Most small rodent populations in the world have fascinating population dynamics. In the northern hemisphere, voles and lemmings tend to show population cycles with regular fluctuations in numbers. In the southern hemisphere, small rodents tend to have large amplitude outbreaks with less regular intervals. In the light of vast research and debate over almost a century, we here discuss the driving forces of these different rodent population dynamics. We highlight ten questions directly related to the various characteristics of relevant populations and ecosystems that still need to be answered. This overview is not intended as a complete list of questions but rather focuses on the most important issues that are essential for understanding the generality of small rodent population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry P Andreassen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Janne Sundell
- Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, Pääjärventie 320, 16900, Lammi, Finland
| | - Fraucke Ecke
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, 90183, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stefan Halle
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 159, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Marko Haapakoski
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Konnevesi Research Station, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Heikki Henttonen
- Terrestrial Population Dynamics, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otso Huitu
- Terrestrial Population Dynamics, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jens Jacob
- Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Vertebrate Research, Julius Kühn-Institut, Toppheideweg 88, 48161, Münster, Germany
| | - Kaja Johnsen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Esa Koskela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Juan Jose Luque-Larena
- Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenierıas Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Campus La Yutera, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004, Palencia, Spain
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology and Centre D'Études Nordiques, Department of Biology, Université de Moncton, 18 Avenue Antonine-Maillet, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitslain 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitslain 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Magne Neby
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Osmo Rätti
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, P.O. Box 122, 96101, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Thorbjörn Sievert
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Konnevesi Research Station, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Grant R Singleton
- International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham Marine, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Joannes van Cann
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Bram Vanden Broecke
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitslain 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Hannu Ylönen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Konnevesi Research Station, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland.
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7
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Henden J, Ehrich D, Soininen EM, Ims RA. Accounting for food web dynamics when assessing the impact of mesopredator control on declining prey populations. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John‐André Henden
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology UiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Dorothee Ehrich
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology UiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Eeva M. Soininen
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology UiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Rolf A. Ims
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology UiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
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8
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Fuglei E, Henden JA, Callahan CT, Gilg O, Hansen J, Ims RA, Isaev AP, Lang J, McIntyre CL, Merizon RA, Mineev OY, Mineev YN, Mossop D, Nielsen OK, Nilsen EB, Pedersen ÅØ, Schmidt NM, Sittler B, Willebrand MH, Martin K. Circumpolar status of Arctic ptarmigan: Population dynamics and trends. AMBIO 2020; 49:749-761. [PMID: 31073984 PMCID: PMC6989701 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01191-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) and willow ptarmigan (L. lagopus) are Arctic birds with a circumpolar distribution but there is limited knowledge about their status and trends across their circumpolar distribution. Here, we compiled information from 90 ptarmigan study sites from 7 Arctic countries, where almost half of the sites are still monitored. Rock ptarmigan showed an overall negative trend on Iceland and Greenland, while Svalbard and Newfoundland had positive trends, and no significant trends in Alaska. For willow ptarmigan, there was a negative trend in mid-Sweden and eastern Russia, while northern Fennoscandia, North America and Newfoundland had no significant trends. Both species displayed some periods with population cycles (short 3-6 years and long 9-12 years), but cyclicity changed through time for both species. We propose that simple, cost-efficient systematic surveys that capture the main feature of ptarmigan population dynamics can form the basis for citizen science efforts in order to fill knowledge gaps for the many regions that lack systematic ptarmigan monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Fuglei
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Postbox 6606, Langnes, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - John-André Henden
- Dep. of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Chris T. Callahan
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, 117 Riverside Drive, Corner Brook, NL A2H 0A2 Canada
| | - Olivier Gilg
- UMR 6249 Chrono-environnement, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25000 Besançon, France
- Groupe de recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440 Francheville, France
| | - Jannik Hansen
- Section of Ecosystem Ecology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rolf A. Ims
- Dep. of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Johannes Lang
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibian and Fish, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 91-93, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Richard A. Merizon
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1800 Glenn Highway, Suite 2, Palmer, AK 99567 USA
| | - Oleg Y. Mineev
- Komi Republic, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167 982 Syktyvkar, Russia
| | - Yuri N. Mineev
- Komi Republic, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167 982 Syktyvkar, Russia
| | - Dave Mossop
- Yukon Research Ctr, Yukon College, PO Box 2799, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5K4 Canada
| | - Olafur K. Nielsen
- Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Urridaholtsstræti 6-8, 210 Gardabær, Iceland
| | - Erlend B. Nilsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Arctic Research Centre, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Benoît Sittler
- Chair for Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstraße 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Kathy Martin
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4 Canada
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9
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Larm M, Erlandsson R, Norén K, Angerbjörn A. Fitness effects of ecotourism on an endangered carnivore. Anim Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Larm
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - R. Erlandsson
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - K. Norén
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - A. Angerbjörn
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
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10
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Archibald H. Relating the 4-year lemming (Lemmus spp. and Dicrostonyx spp.) population cycle to a 3.8-year lunar cycle and ENSO. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Reported peak years of lemming (Lemmus spp. and Dicrostonyx spp.) and Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758)) abundance were compiled from the literature for 12 locations spanning 127 years. The mean period of the 34 reported lemming and Arctic fox cycles from 1868 to 1994 was 3.8 years, suggesting that the period of the 4-year cycle is actually 3.8 years. Peak population years were predicted using a simple model based on a 3.8-year lunar cycle. For nearly 130 years, reported years of peak abundance of lemmings and Arctic foxes were significantly correlated with and have persistently stayed in phase with predicted peak years of abundance. Over the same period, predicted peak years of lemming abundance have been closely aligned with peak (i.e., La Niña) years of the January–March Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). From 1952 to 1995, peak flowering in Norway tended to occur close to trough June–August SOI (El Niño) years. The hypothesis proposed is that the 3.8-year lunar cycle governs the timing of the lemming cycle, but it does not cause the population cycling itself. If this hypothesis is true, then the heretofore unexplained source of the persistent periodicity and quasi-metronomic regularity of the lemming cycle is identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- H.L. Archibald
- 632 Tee Hi Place, Medford, WI 54451, USA
- 632 Tee Hi Place, Medford, WI 54451, USA
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11
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Andreassen HP, Johnsen K, Joncour B, Neby M, Odden M. Seasonality shapes the amplitude of vole population dynamics rather than generalist predators. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harry P. Andreassen
- Inland Norway Univ. of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Campus Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | - Kaja Johnsen
- Inland Norway Univ. of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Campus Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | | | - Magne Neby
- Inland Norway Univ. of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Campus Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | - Morten Odden
- Inland Norway Univ. of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Campus Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
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12
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Massé Jodoin J, Guichard F. Non‐resource effects of foundation species on meta‐ecosystem stability and function. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Massé Jodoin
- Dept of Biology, McGill Univ., 1205 Avenue du Docteur Penfield Montreal QC H3A 1B1 Canada
| | - Frédéric Guichard
- Dept of Biology, McGill Univ., 1205 Avenue du Docteur Penfield Montreal QC H3A 1B1 Canada
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13
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Haynes KJ, Walter JA, Liebhold AM. Population spatial synchrony enhanced by periodicity and low detuning with environmental forcing. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182828. [PMID: 31138079 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Explaining why fluctuations in abundances of spatially disjunct populations often are correlated through time is a major goal of population ecologists. We address two hypotheses receiving little to no testing in wild populations: (i) that population cycling facilitates synchronization given weak coupling among populations, and (ii) that the ability of periodic external forces to synchronize oscillating populations is a function of the mismatch in timescales (detuning) between the force and the population. Here, we apply new analytical methods to field survey data on gypsy moth outbreaks. We report that at timescales associated with gypsy moth outbreaks, spatial synchrony increased with population periodicity via phase locking. The extent to which synchrony in temperature and precipitation influenced population synchrony was associated with the degree of mismatch in dominant timescales of oscillation. Our study provides new empirical methods and rare empirical evidence that population cycling and low detuning can promote population spatial synchrony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Haynes
- 1 The Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia , Boyce, VA , USA.,2 Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
| | - Jonathan A Walter
- 2 Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
| | - Andrew M Liebhold
- 3 US Forest Service Northern Research Station , Morgantown, WV 26505 , USA.,4 Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences , Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czechia 16521 , Czech Republic
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14
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Rodent population cycle as a determinant of gastrointestinal nematode abundance in a low-arctic population of the red fox. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 9:36-41. [PMID: 30976515 PMCID: PMC6441723 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed an 11-year time series (2005-2015) of parasite abundance for three intestinal nematode species in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as a function of the multi-annual rodent population cycle in low-arctic Norway, while correcting for other potential covariates that could influence prevalence and abundance. Rodents are paratenic and facultative intermediate hosts for the two Ascarididae species Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis, respectively and key prey for the red fox. Still the relative importance of indirect transmission through rodents and direct transmission through free-living stages is unclear. Abundance of these Ascarididae species in individual red foxes (N = 612) exhibited strongly cyclic dynamics that closely mirrored the 4-year rodent cycle. Negative binomial models provided evidence for a direct proportional increase in Ascarididae abundance with rodent density suggesting that predator functional response to rodent prey is the key transmission mechanism. In contrast, no cycles and constantly very low abundance were apparent for Uncinaria stenocephala - a third nematode species recorded without paratenic or intermediate stages.
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15
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Marolla F, Aarvak T, Øien IJ, Mellard JP, Henden J, Hamel S, Stien A, Tveraa T, Yoccoz NG, Ims RA. Assessing the effect of predator control on an endangered goose population subjected to predator‐mediated food web dynamics. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Marolla
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Tomas Aarvak
- Norwegian Ornithological SocietyBirdLife Norway Trondheim Norway
| | - Ingar J. Øien
- Norwegian Ornithological SocietyBirdLife Norway Trondheim Norway
| | - Jarad P. Mellard
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - John‐André Henden
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Sandra Hamel
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Audun Stien
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)FRAM – High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment Tromsø Norway
| | - Torkild Tveraa
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)FRAM – High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment Tromsø Norway
| | - Nigel G. Yoccoz
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Rolf A. Ims
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
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16
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17
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Breisjøberget JI, Odden M, Wegge P, Zimmermann B, Andreassen H. The alternative prey hypothesis revisited: Still valid for willow ptarmigan population dynamics. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197289. [PMID: 29874270 PMCID: PMC5991367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The alternative prey hypothesis predicts that the interaction between generalist predators and their main prey is a major driver of population dynamics of alternative prey species. In Fennoscandia, changes in climate and human land use are assumed to alter the dynamics of cyclic small rodents (main prey) and lead to increased densities and range expansion of an important generalist predator, the red fox Vulpes vulpes. In order to better understand the role of these potential changes in community structure on an alternative prey species, willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus, we analyzed nine years of population census data from SE Norway to investigate how community interactions affected their population dynamics. The ptarmigan populations showed no declining trend during the study period, and annual variations corresponded with marked periodic small rodent peaks and declines. Population growth and breeding success were highly correlated, and both demographic variables were influenced by an interaction between red fox and small rodents. Red foxes affected ptarmigan negatively only when small rodent abundance was low, which is in accordance with the alternative prey hypothesis. Our results confirm the important role of red fox predation in ptarmigan dynamics, and indicate that if small rodent cycles are disrupted, this may lead to decline in ptarmigan and other alternative prey species due to elevated predation pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Inge Breisjøberget
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, Koppang, Norway
- The Norwegian State-owned Land and Forest Enterprise, Statskog SOE, Namsos, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Morten Odden
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, Koppang, Norway
| | - Per Wegge
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, Koppang, Norway
| | - Harry Andreassen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, Koppang, Norway
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19
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Hoset KS, Husby M. Small between-year variations in nest predation rates are not related with between-year differences in predator identity. ECOSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2018.1427309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Magne Husby
- Section of Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
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20
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Row JR, Fedy BC. Spatial and temporal variation in the range-wide cyclic dynamics of greater sage-grouse. Oecologia 2017; 185:687-698. [PMID: 29052009 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3970-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Periodic changes in abundance, or population cycles, are common in a variety of species and is one of the most widely studied ecological phenomena. The strength of, and synchrony between population cycles can vary across time and space and understanding these patterns can provide insight into the mechanisms generating population cycles and their variability within and among species. Here, we used wavelet and spectral analysis on a range-wide dataset of abundance for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) to test for regional differences in temporal cyclicity. Overall, we found that most populations (11 of 15) were cyclic at some point in a 50-year time series (1965-2015), but the patterns varied over both time and space. Several peripheral populations demonstrated amplitude dampening or loss of cyclicity following population lows in the mid-1990s. Populations through the core of the range in the Great and Wyoming Basins had more consistent cyclic dynamics, but period length appeared to shorten from 10-12 to 6-8 years. In one time period, where cyclicity was greatest overall, increased pairwise population synchrony was correlated with cycle intensity. Our work represents a comprehensive range-wide assessment of cyclic dynamics and revealed substantial variation in temporal and spatial trends of cyclic dynamics across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Row
- School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Bradley C Fedy
- School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
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Henttonen H, Gilg O, Ims RA, Korpimäki E, Yoccoz NG. Ilkka Hanski and Small Mammals: from Shrew Metapopulations to Vole and Lemming Cycles. ANN ZOOL FENN 2017. [DOI: 10.5735/086.054.0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heikki Henttonen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), P.O. Box 2, FI-0790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olivier Gilg
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, F-21440 Francheville, France
- Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Equipe Ecologie-Evolution, UMR 6282 Biogéosciences, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Rolf A. Ims
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, The Arctic University of Norway, N-9047 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Erkki Korpimäki
- Section of Ecology, Department Biology, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland
| | - Nigel G. Yoccoz
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, The Arctic University of Norway, N-9047 Tromsø, Norway
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22
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Boonstra R, Andreassen HP, Boutin S, Hušek J, Ims RA, Krebs CJ, Skarpe C, Wabakken P. Why Do the Boreal Forest Ecosystems of Northwestern Europe Differ from Those of Western North America? Bioscience 2016; 66:722-734. [PMID: 28533563 PMCID: PMC5421309 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biw080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The boreal forest is one of the largest terrestrial biomes on Earth. Conifers normally dominate the tree layer across the biome, but other aspects of ecosystem structure and dynamics vary geographically. The cause of the conspicuous differences in the understory vegetation and the herbivore-predator cycles between northwestern Europe and western North America presents an enigma. Ericaceous dwarf shrubs and 3- to 4-year vole-mustelid cycles characterize the European boreal forests, whereas tall deciduous shrubs and 10-year snowshoe hare-lynx cycles characterize the North American ones. We discuss plausible explanations for this difference and conclude that it is bottom-up: Winter climate is the key determinant of the dominant understory vegetation that then determines the herbivore-predator food-web interactions. The crucial unknown for the twenty-first century is how climate change and increasing instability will affect these forests, both with respect to the dynamics of individual plant and animal species and to their community interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy Boonstra
- Rudy Boonstra is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He studies the factors that regulate and limit animal populations in temperate and boreal ecosystems, and especially the role of stress in natural populations. Harry Andreassen is the dean and a professor, Jan Hušek is a postdoctoral fellow, Christina Skarpe is a professor, and Petter Wabakken is an associate professor at Hedmark University College, in Evenstad, Norway. HA studies the causes of population fluctuations in the boreal forest, with special emphasis on the interaction between social factors and predation. JH studies avian ecology and behavior. CS's research deals with large herbivores and their ecological significance for soil and plants, predators, and each other. PW studies the behavioral ecology and population dynamics of large carnivores and avian predators. Stan Boutin is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta. He studies the population dynamics and management of mammals in the boreal forest. Rolf Ims is a professor of Arctic and marine biology at the University of Tromsø. He studies the dynamics of ecological interactions in Arctic ecosystems and how these are shaped by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Charles Krebs is an emeritus professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia. He studies boreal forest community dynamics in the southwestern Yukon
| | - Harry P Andreassen
- Rudy Boonstra is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He studies the factors that regulate and limit animal populations in temperate and boreal ecosystems, and especially the role of stress in natural populations. Harry Andreassen is the dean and a professor, Jan Hušek is a postdoctoral fellow, Christina Skarpe is a professor, and Petter Wabakken is an associate professor at Hedmark University College, in Evenstad, Norway. HA studies the causes of population fluctuations in the boreal forest, with special emphasis on the interaction between social factors and predation. JH studies avian ecology and behavior. CS's research deals with large herbivores and their ecological significance for soil and plants, predators, and each other. PW studies the behavioral ecology and population dynamics of large carnivores and avian predators. Stan Boutin is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta. He studies the population dynamics and management of mammals in the boreal forest. Rolf Ims is a professor of Arctic and marine biology at the University of Tromsø. He studies the dynamics of ecological interactions in Arctic ecosystems and how these are shaped by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Charles Krebs is an emeritus professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia. He studies boreal forest community dynamics in the southwestern Yukon
| | - Stan Boutin
- Rudy Boonstra is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He studies the factors that regulate and limit animal populations in temperate and boreal ecosystems, and especially the role of stress in natural populations. Harry Andreassen is the dean and a professor, Jan Hušek is a postdoctoral fellow, Christina Skarpe is a professor, and Petter Wabakken is an associate professor at Hedmark University College, in Evenstad, Norway. HA studies the causes of population fluctuations in the boreal forest, with special emphasis on the interaction between social factors and predation. JH studies avian ecology and behavior. CS's research deals with large herbivores and their ecological significance for soil and plants, predators, and each other. PW studies the behavioral ecology and population dynamics of large carnivores and avian predators. Stan Boutin is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta. He studies the population dynamics and management of mammals in the boreal forest. Rolf Ims is a professor of Arctic and marine biology at the University of Tromsø. He studies the dynamics of ecological interactions in Arctic ecosystems and how these are shaped by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Charles Krebs is an emeritus professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia. He studies boreal forest community dynamics in the southwestern Yukon
| | - Jan Hušek
- Rudy Boonstra is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He studies the factors that regulate and limit animal populations in temperate and boreal ecosystems, and especially the role of stress in natural populations. Harry Andreassen is the dean and a professor, Jan Hušek is a postdoctoral fellow, Christina Skarpe is a professor, and Petter Wabakken is an associate professor at Hedmark University College, in Evenstad, Norway. HA studies the causes of population fluctuations in the boreal forest, with special emphasis on the interaction between social factors and predation. JH studies avian ecology and behavior. CS's research deals with large herbivores and their ecological significance for soil and plants, predators, and each other. PW studies the behavioral ecology and population dynamics of large carnivores and avian predators. Stan Boutin is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta. He studies the population dynamics and management of mammals in the boreal forest. Rolf Ims is a professor of Arctic and marine biology at the University of Tromsø. He studies the dynamics of ecological interactions in Arctic ecosystems and how these are shaped by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Charles Krebs is an emeritus professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia. He studies boreal forest community dynamics in the southwestern Yukon
| | - Rolf A Ims
- Rudy Boonstra is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He studies the factors that regulate and limit animal populations in temperate and boreal ecosystems, and especially the role of stress in natural populations. Harry Andreassen is the dean and a professor, Jan Hušek is a postdoctoral fellow, Christina Skarpe is a professor, and Petter Wabakken is an associate professor at Hedmark University College, in Evenstad, Norway. HA studies the causes of population fluctuations in the boreal forest, with special emphasis on the interaction between social factors and predation. JH studies avian ecology and behavior. CS's research deals with large herbivores and their ecological significance for soil and plants, predators, and each other. PW studies the behavioral ecology and population dynamics of large carnivores and avian predators. Stan Boutin is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta. He studies the population dynamics and management of mammals in the boreal forest. Rolf Ims is a professor of Arctic and marine biology at the University of Tromsø. He studies the dynamics of ecological interactions in Arctic ecosystems and how these are shaped by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Charles Krebs is an emeritus professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia. He studies boreal forest community dynamics in the southwestern Yukon
| | - Charles J Krebs
- Rudy Boonstra is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He studies the factors that regulate and limit animal populations in temperate and boreal ecosystems, and especially the role of stress in natural populations. Harry Andreassen is the dean and a professor, Jan Hušek is a postdoctoral fellow, Christina Skarpe is a professor, and Petter Wabakken is an associate professor at Hedmark University College, in Evenstad, Norway. HA studies the causes of population fluctuations in the boreal forest, with special emphasis on the interaction between social factors and predation. JH studies avian ecology and behavior. CS's research deals with large herbivores and their ecological significance for soil and plants, predators, and each other. PW studies the behavioral ecology and population dynamics of large carnivores and avian predators. Stan Boutin is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta. He studies the population dynamics and management of mammals in the boreal forest. Rolf Ims is a professor of Arctic and marine biology at the University of Tromsø. He studies the dynamics of ecological interactions in Arctic ecosystems and how these are shaped by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Charles Krebs is an emeritus professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia. He studies boreal forest community dynamics in the southwestern Yukon
| | - Christina Skarpe
- Rudy Boonstra is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He studies the factors that regulate and limit animal populations in temperate and boreal ecosystems, and especially the role of stress in natural populations. Harry Andreassen is the dean and a professor, Jan Hušek is a postdoctoral fellow, Christina Skarpe is a professor, and Petter Wabakken is an associate professor at Hedmark University College, in Evenstad, Norway. HA studies the causes of population fluctuations in the boreal forest, with special emphasis on the interaction between social factors and predation. JH studies avian ecology and behavior. CS's research deals with large herbivores and their ecological significance for soil and plants, predators, and each other. PW studies the behavioral ecology and population dynamics of large carnivores and avian predators. Stan Boutin is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta. He studies the population dynamics and management of mammals in the boreal forest. Rolf Ims is a professor of Arctic and marine biology at the University of Tromsø. He studies the dynamics of ecological interactions in Arctic ecosystems and how these are shaped by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Charles Krebs is an emeritus professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia. He studies boreal forest community dynamics in the southwestern Yukon
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Rudy Boonstra is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He studies the factors that regulate and limit animal populations in temperate and boreal ecosystems, and especially the role of stress in natural populations. Harry Andreassen is the dean and a professor, Jan Hušek is a postdoctoral fellow, Christina Skarpe is a professor, and Petter Wabakken is an associate professor at Hedmark University College, in Evenstad, Norway. HA studies the causes of population fluctuations in the boreal forest, with special emphasis on the interaction between social factors and predation. JH studies avian ecology and behavior. CS's research deals with large herbivores and their ecological significance for soil and plants, predators, and each other. PW studies the behavioral ecology and population dynamics of large carnivores and avian predators. Stan Boutin is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta. He studies the population dynamics and management of mammals in the boreal forest. Rolf Ims is a professor of Arctic and marine biology at the University of Tromsø. He studies the dynamics of ecological interactions in Arctic ecosystems and how these are shaped by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Charles Krebs is an emeritus professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia. He studies boreal forest community dynamics in the southwestern Yukon
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Spatial and temporal variation in the distribution and abundance of red foxes in the tundra and taiga of northern Sweden. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-016-0995-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Allstadt AJ, Liebhold AM, Johnson DM, Davis RE, Haynes KJ. Temporal variation in the synchrony of weather and its consequences for spatiotemporal population dynamics. Ecology 2015; 96:2935-46. [DOI: 10.1890/14-1497.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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25
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Korpela K, Helle P, Henttonen H, Korpimäki E, Koskela E, Ovaskainen O, Pietiäinen H, Sundell J, Valkama J, Huitu O. Predator-vole interactions in Northern Europe: the role of small mustelids revised. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20142119. [PMID: 25355481 PMCID: PMC4241000 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.2119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclic population dynamics of vole and predator communities is a key phenomenon in northern ecosystems, and it appears to be influenced by climate change. Reports of collapsing rodent cycles have attributed the changes to warmer winters, which weaken the interaction between voles and their specialist subnivean predators. Using population data collected throughout Finland during 1986-2011, we analyse the spatio-temporal variation in the interactions between populations of voles and specialist, generalist and avian predators, and investigate by simulations the roles of the different predators in the vole cycle. We test the hypothesis that vole population cyclicity is dependent on predator-prey interactions during winter. Our results support the importance of the small mustelids for the vole cycle. However, weakening specialist predation during winters, or an increase in generalist predation, was not associated with the loss of cyclicity. Strengthening of delayed density dependence coincided with strengthening small mustelid influence on the summer population growth rates of voles. In conclusion, a strong impact of small mustelids during summers appears highly influential to vole population dynamics, and deteriorating winter conditions are not a viable explanation for collapsing small mammal population cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katri Korpela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Pekka Helle
- Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Heikki Henttonen
- Vantaa Research Unit, Finnish Forest Research Institute, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland
| | - Erkki Korpimäki
- Department of Biology, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland
| | - Esa Koskela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland
| | | | | | - Janne Sundell
- Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, FI-16900 Lammi, Finland
| | - Jari Valkama
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otso Huitu
- Suonenjoki Research Unit, Finnish Forest Research Institute, FI-77600 Suonenjoki, Finland
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26
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Aharon-Rotman Y, Soloviev M, Minton C, Tomkovich P, Hassell C, Klaassen M. Loss of periodicity in breeding success of waders links to changes in lemming cycles in Arctic ecosystems. OIKOS 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.01730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yaara Aharon-Rotman
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of life and Environmental Science, Deakin Univ.; Geelong Australia
| | - Mikhail Soloviev
- Dept of Vertebrate Zoology; Lomonosov Moscow State Univ.; Moscow Russia
| | - Clive Minton
- Australian Wader Studies Group; Victoria Australia
| | - Pavel Tomkovich
- Zoological Museum, Lomonosov Moscow State Univ.; Moscow Russia
| | | | - Marcel Klaassen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of life and Environmental Science, Deakin Univ.; Geelong Australia
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27
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Millon A, Petty SJ, Little B, Gimenez O, Cornulier T, Lambin X. Dampening prey cycle overrides the impact of climate change on predator population dynamics: a long-term demographic study on tawny owls. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2014; 20:1770-1781. [PMID: 24634279 PMCID: PMC4320692 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the dynamics of animal populations with different life histories requires careful understanding of demographic responses to multifaceted aspects of global changes, such as climate and trophic interactions. Continent-scale dampening of vole population cycles, keystone herbivores in many ecosystems, has been recently documented across Europe. However, its impact on guilds of vole-eating predators remains unknown. To quantify this impact, we used a 27-year study of an avian predator (tawny owl) and its main prey (field vole) collected in Kielder Forest (UK) where vole dynamics shifted from a high- to a low-amplitude fluctuation regime in the mid-1990s. We measured the functional responses of four demographic rates to changes in prey dynamics and winter climate, characterized by wintertime North Atlantic Oscillation (wNAO). First-year and adult survival were positively affected by vole density in autumn but relatively insensitive to wNAO. The probability of breeding and number of fledglings were higher in years with high spring vole densities and negative wNAO (i.e. colder and drier winters). These functional responses were incorporated into a stochastic population model. The size of the predator population was projected under scenarios combining prey dynamics and winter climate to test whether climate buffers or alternatively magnifies the impact of changes in prey dynamics. We found the observed dampening vole cycles, characterized by low spring densities, drastically reduced the breeding probability of predators. Our results illustrate that (i) change in trophic interactions can override direct climate change effect; and (ii) the demographic resilience entailed by longevity and the occurrence of a floater stage may be insufficient to buffer hypothesized environmental changes. Ultimately, dampened prey cycles would drive our owl local population towards extinction, with winter climate regimes only altering persistence time. These results suggest that other vole-eating predators are likely to be threatened by dampening vole cycles throughout Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Millon
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale (IMBE), Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS IRD Avignon Université, Technopôle Arbois-Méditerranée Bât. Villemin - BP 80, Aix-en-Provence Cedex 04, F-13545, France; School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Zoology Building, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
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Fu L, Tang S, Liu Y, Sharma RP, Zhang H, Lei Y, Wang H, Song X. Developing, testing and application of rodent population dynamics and capture models based on an adjusted Leslie matrix-based population approach. INT J BIOMATH 2014. [DOI: 10.1142/s1793524514500247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Small rodents in general and the multimammate rat Apodemus agrarius in particular, damage crops and cause major economic losses in China. Therefore, accurate predictions of the population size of A. agrarius and an efficient control strategy are urgently needed. We developed a population dynamics model by applying a Leslie matrix method, and a capture model based on optimal harvesting theory for A. agrarius. Our models were parametrized using demographic estimates from a capture–mark–recapture (CMR) study conducted on the Qinshui Forest Farm in Northwestern China. The population dynamics model incorporated 12 equally balanced age groups and included immigration and emigration parameters. The model was evaluated by assessing the predictions for four years based on the known starting population in 2004 from the 2004–2007 CMR data. The capture model incorporated two functional age categories (juvenile and adult) and used density-dependent and density-independent factors. The models were used to assess the effect of rodent control measures between 2004 and 2023 on population dynamics and the resulting numbers of rats. Three control measures affecting survival rates were considered. We found that the predicted population dynamics of A. agrarius between 2004 and 2007 compared favorably with the observed population dynamics. The models predicted that the population sizes of A. agrarius in the period between 2004 and 2023 under the control measure applied in August 2004 were very similar to the optimal population sizes, and no significant difference was found between the two population sizes. We recommend using the population dynamics and capture models based on CMR-estimated demographic schedules for rodent, provided these data are available. The models that we have developed have the potential to play an important role in predicting the effects of rodent management and in evaluating different control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyong Fu
- Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, P. R. China
| | - Shouzheng Tang
- Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, P. R. China
| | - Yingan Liu
- Department of Mathematics, Nanjing Forest University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210037, P. R. China
| | - Ram P. Sharma
- Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås 1432, Norway
| | - Huiru Zhang
- Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, P. R. China
| | - Yuancai Lei
- Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, P. R. China
| | - Hong Wang
- Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Song
- Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, P. R. China
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29
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The relationship between wolverine and larger predators, lynx and wolf, in a historical ecosystem context. Oecologia 2014; 175:625-37. [PMID: 24652527 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-2918-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Apex predators play an important role in shaping ecosystem structure. They may suppress smaller predators (mesopredators) but also subsidize scavengers via carrion provisioning. However, the importance of these interactions can change with ecosystem context. The wolverine (Gulo gulo) is a cold-adapted carnivore and facultative scavenger. It has a circumboreal distribution, where it could be either suppressed or subsidized by larger predators. In Scandinavia, the wolverine might interact with two larger predators, wolf (Canis lupus) and lynx (Lynx lynx), but human persecution decimated the populations in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. We investigated potential relationships between wolverine and the larger predators using hunting bag statistics from 15 Norwegian and Swedish counties in 1846-1922. Our best models showed a positive association between wolverine and lynx trends, taking ecological and human factors into account. There was also a positive association between year-to-year fluctuations in wolverine and wolf in the latter part of the study period. We suggest these associations could result from positive lynx-wolverine interactions through carrion provisioning, while wolves might both suppress wolverine and provide carrion with the net effect becoming positive when wolf density drops below a threshold. Wolverines could thus benefit from lynx presence and low-to-intermediate wolf densities.
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Barraquand F, Høye TT, Henden JA, Yoccoz NG, Gilg O, Schmidt NM, Sittler B, Ims RA. Demographic responses of a site-faithful and territorial predator to its fluctuating prey: long-tailed skuas and arctic lemmings. J Anim Ecol 2013; 83:375-87. [PMID: 24128282 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Environmental variability, through interannual variation in food availability or climatic variables, is usually detrimental to population growth. It can even select for constancy in key life-history traits, though some exceptions are known. Changes in the level of environmental variability are therefore important to predict population growth or life-history evolution. Recently, several cyclic vole and lemming populations have shown large dynamical changes that might affect the demography or life-histories of rodent predators. Skuas constitute an important case study among rodent predators, because of their strongly saturating breeding productivity (they lay only two eggs) and high degree of site fidelity, in which they differ from nomadic predators raising large broods in good rodent years. This suggests that they cannot capitalize on lemming peaks to the same extent as nomadic predators and might be more vulnerable to collapses of rodent cycles. We develop a model for the population dynamics of long-tailed skuas feeding on lemmings to assess the demographic consequences of such variable and non-stationary prey dynamics, based on data collected in NE Greenland. The model shows that populations of long-tailed skua sustain well changes in lemming dynamics, including temporary collapses (e.g. 10 years). A high floater-to-breeder ratio emerges from rigid territorial behaviour and a long-life expectancy, which buffers the impact of adult abundance's decrease on the population reproductive output. The size of the floater compartment is affected by changes in both mean and coefficient of variation of lemming densities (but not cycle amplitude and periodicity per se). In Greenland, the average lemming density is below the threshold density required for successful breeding (including during normally cyclic periods). Due to Jensen's inequality, skuas therefore benefit from lemming variability; a positive effect of environmental variation. Long-tailed skua populations are strongly adapted to fluctuating lemming populations, an instance of demographic lability in the reproduction rate. They are also little affected by poor lemming periods, if there are enough floaters, or juveniles disperse to neighbouring populations. The status of Greenland skua populations therefore strongly depends upon floater numbers and juvenile movements, which are not known. This reveals a need to intensify colour-ringing efforts on the long-tailed skua at a circumpolar scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Barraquand
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
| | - Toke T Høye
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DK-8000, Denmark.,Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Rønde, DK-8410, Denmark
| | - John-André Henden
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
| | - Nigel G Yoccoz
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
| | - Olivier Gilg
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 5561, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, 21000, France.,Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, Francheville, 21440, France
| | - Niels M Schmidt
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DK-8000, Denmark.,Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, DK-4000, Denmark
| | - Benoît Sittler
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, Francheville, 21440, France.,Institut für Landespflege, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79106, Germany
| | - Rolf A Ims
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
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Krebs CJ, Kielland K, Bryant J, O’Donoghue M, Doyle F, McIntyre C, DiFolco D, Berg N, Carriere S, Boonstra R, Boutin S, Kenney AJ, Reid DG, Bodony K, Putera J, Timm HK, Burke T. Synchrony in the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) cycle in northwestern North America, 1970–2012. CAN J ZOOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2013-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) fluctuate in 9–10 year cycles throughout much of their North American range. Regional synchrony has been assumed to be the rule for these cycles, so that hare populations in virtually all of northwestern North America have been assumed to be in phase. We gathered qualitative and quantitative data on hare numbers and fur returns of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis Kerr, 1792) in the boreal forest regions of Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and northern British Columbia to describe synchrony in the time window of 1970–2012. Broad-scale synchrony in lynx fur returns was strong from 1970 to about 1995 but then seemed to break down in different parts of this region. Hare populations at 20 sites in Alaska, the Yukon, and Northwest Territories showed peak populations that lagged by 1–4 years during the 1990s and 2000s cycles. The simplest hypothesis to explain these patterns of asynchrony in hare cycles is the movement of predators from British Columbia north into the Yukon and then east into the Northwest Territories and west into Alaska. A traveling wave of these cycles is clearly seen in the lynx fur returns from western Canada and Alaska from 1970 to 2009. One consequence of a failure of synchrony is that hare predators like Canada lynx and Great-horned Owls (Bubo virginianus (Gmelin, 1788)) can move from one adjacent area to the next within this region and survive long enough to prolong low densities in hare populations that have declined earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles J. Krebs
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Knut Kielland
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - John Bryant
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Mark O’Donoghue
- Yukon Fish and Wildlife Branch, P.O. Box 310, Mayo, YT Y0B 1M0, Canada
| | - Frank Doyle
- Wildlife Dynamics Consulting, P.O. Box 3596, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0, Canada
| | - Carol McIntyre
- US National Park Service, Denali National Park and Reserve, 4175 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA
| | - Donna DiFolco
- US National Park Service, Gates of the Arctic National Park, 4175 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA
| | - Nathan Berg
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, Tok, AK 99780, USA
| | - Suzanne Carriere
- Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories, P.O. Box 1320, Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2L9, Canada
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Alice J. Kenney
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Donald G. Reid
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, P.O. Box 31127, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5P7, Canada
| | - Karin Bodony
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Koyukuk/Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 287, Galena, AK 99741, USA
| | - Judy Putera
- US National Park Service, Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, AK 99573, USA
| | - Henry K. Timm
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, Tok, AK 99780, USA
| | - Toby Burke
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 2139, Soldotna, AK 99669, USA
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Korpela K, Delgado M, Henttonen H, Korpimäki E, Koskela E, Ovaskainen O, Pietiäinen H, Sundell J, Yoccoz NG, Huitu O. Nonlinear effects of climate on boreal rodent dynamics: mild winters do not negate high-amplitude cycles. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2013; 19:697-710. [PMID: 23504828 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/10/2012] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Small rodents are key species in many ecosystems. In boreal and subarctic environments, their importance is heightened by pronounced multiannual population cycles. Alarmingly, the previously regular rodent cycles appear to be collapsing simultaneously in many areas. Climate change, particularly decreasing snow quality or quantity in winter, is hypothesized as a causal factor, but the evidence is contradictory. Reliable analysis of population dynamics and the influence of climate thereon necessitate spatially and temporally extensive data. We combined data on vole abundances and climate, collected at 33 locations throughout Finland from 1970 to 2011, to test the hypothesis that warming winters are causing a disappearance of multiannual vole cycles. We predicted that vole population dynamics exhibit geographic and temporal variation associated with variation in climate; reduced cyclicity should be observed when and where winter weather has become milder. We found that the temporal patterns in cyclicity varied between climatically different regions: a transient reduction in cycle amplitude in the coldest region, low-amplitude cycles or irregular dynamics in the climatically intermediate regions, and strengthening cyclicity in the warmest region. Our results did not support the hypothesis that mild winters are uniformly leading to irregular dynamics in boreal vole populations. Long and cold winters were neither a prerequisite for high-amplitude multiannual cycles, nor were mild winters with reduced snow cover associated with reduced winter growth rates. Population dynamics correlated more strongly with growing season than with winter conditions. Cyclicity was weakened by increasing growing season temperatures in the cold, but strengthened in the warm regions. High-amplitude multiannual vole cycles emerge in two climatic regimes: a winter-driven cycle in cold, and a summer-driven cycle in warm climates. Finally, we show that geographic climatic gradients alone may not reliably predict biological responses to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katri Korpela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014, Finland.
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Travis JMJ, Palmer SCF, Coyne S, Millon A, Lambin X. Evolution of predator dispersal in relation to spatio-temporal prey dynamics: how not to get stuck in the wrong place! PLoS One 2013; 8:e54453. [PMID: 23408940 PMCID: PMC3569443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The eco-evolutionary dynamics of dispersal are recognised as key in determining the responses of populations to environmental changes. Here, by developing a novel modelling approach, we show that predators are likely to have evolved to emigrate more often and become more selective over their destination patch when their prey species exhibit spatio-temporally complex dynamics. We additionally demonstrate that the cost of dispersal can vary substantially across space and time. Perhaps as a consequence of current environmental change, many key prey species are currently exhibiting major shifts in their spatio-temporal dynamics. By exploring similar shifts in silico, we predict that predator populations will be most vulnerable when prey dynamics shift from stable to complex. The more sophisticated dispersal rules, and greater variance therein, that evolve under complex dynamics will enable persistence across a broader range of prey dynamics than the rules which evolve under relatively stable prey conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M J Travis
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
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Elmhagen B, Hellström P, Angerbjörn A, Kindberg J. Changes in Vole and Lemming Fluctuations in Northern Sweden 1960–2008 Revealed by Fox Dynamics. ANN ZOOL FENN 2011. [DOI: 10.5735/086.048.0305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Killengreen ST, Lecomte N, Ehrich D, Schott T, Yoccoz NG, Ims RA. The importance of marine vs. human-induced subsidies in the maintenance of an expanding mesocarnivore in the arctic tundra. J Anim Ecol 2011; 80:1049-60. [PMID: 21477201 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2011.01840.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
1. Most studies addressing the causes of the recent increases and expansions of mesopredators in many ecosystems have focused on the top-down, releasing effect of extinctions of large apex predators. However, in the case of the northward expansion of the red fox into the arctic tundra, a bottom-up effect of increased resource availability has been proposed, an effect that can counteract prey shortage in the low phase of the multi-annual rodent cycle. Resource subsidies both with marine and with terrestrial origins could potentially be involved. 2. During different phases of a multi-annual rodent cycle, we investigated the seasonal dynamics and spatial pattern of resource use by red foxes across a coast to inland low arctic tundra gradient, Varanger Peninsula, Norway. We employed two complementary methods of diet analyses: stomach contents and stable isotope analysis. 3. We found that inland red foxes primarily subsisted on reindeer carrions during the low phase of a small rodent population cycle. Lemmings became the most important food item towards the peak phase of the rodent cycle, despite being less abundant than sympatric voles. Isotopic signatures of tissue from both predator and prey also revealed that red foxes near the coast used marine-derived subsidies in the winter, but these allochthonous resources did not spillover to adult foxes living beyond 20-25 km from the coast. 4. Although more needs to be learned about the link between increasing primary productivity due to climatic warming and trophic dynamics in tundra ecosystems, we suggest that changes in reindeer management through a bottom-up effect, at least regionally, may have paved the way towards the establishment of a new mesopredator in the tundra biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siw T Killengreen
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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Abstract
Population outbreaks in tundra rodents have intrigued scientists for a century as a result of their spectacular appearances and their general lessons in ecology. One outstanding question that has led to competing hypotheses is why sympatric lemmings and voles differ in regularity and shape of their outbreaks. Lemming outbreaks may be lost for decades while vole populations maintain regular population cycles. Moreover, when lemming populations eventually irrupt, they do so more steeply than the vole populations. Norwegian lemmings exhibited a large-scale outbreak synchronously with gray-sided voles in Finnmark, northern Fennoscandia, during 2006 to 2007 for the first time in two decades. Analyses of spatial variability of this outbreak across altitudinal gradients allowed us to identify determinants of the contrasting lemming and vole dynamics. The steeper lemming outbreak trajectories were caused by breeding and population growth during winter, when nonbreeding vole populations consistently declined. The differently shaped lemming and vole outbreaks appear to result from a particular demographic tactic of lemmings that evolved as an adaptation to the long and cold Arctic-Alpine winters. The lemming outbreak amplitude increased with altitude and vole density, indicating that lemming outbreaks are jointly facilitated by low temperatures and apparent mutualism with voles mediated by shared predators. High sensitivity to variation in climate and predation is likely to be the reasons why lemmings have more erratic population dynamics than sympatric voles. The combination of continued climatic warming and dampened vole cycles is expected to further decrease the frequency, amplitude, and geographic range of lemming outbreaks in tundra ecosystems.
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Henden JA, Ims RA, Yoccoz NG, Hellström P, Angerbjörn A. Strength of asymmetric competition between predators in food webs ruled by fluctuating prey: the case of foxes in tundra. OIKOS 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2009.17604.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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