Snow conditions may create an invisible barrier for lynx.
The dynamics of Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) abundance are geographically structured according to the influence of large-scale climatic regimes. Here we demonstrate that this structuring matches zones of differential snow conditions, in particular surface hardness, as determined by the frequency of winter warm spells. Through a modified functional response curve, we show that various features of the snow may influence lynx interaction with its main prey species, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). This study highlights the importance of snow, and exemplifies how large-scale climatic fluctuations can mechanistically influence population biological patterns.
Stenseth
Nils Chr
NC
Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1050 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway. n.c.stenseth@bio.uio.no
Shabbar
Amir
A
Chan
Kung-Sik
KS
Boutin
Stan
S
Rueness
Eli Knispel
EK
Ehrich
Dorothee
D
Hurrell
James W
JW
Lingjaerde
Ole Chr
OC
Jakobsen
Kjetill S
KS
D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada; D002335:Carnivora; D002980:Climate; D004463:Ecology; D005843:Geography; D034621:Hares; D011156:Population Density; D012621:Seasons; D012914:Snow