title: Snow conditions may create an invisible barrier for lynx.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Nils Chr
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Stenseth
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shabbar
authors.forename: Kung-Sik
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Stan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boutin
authors.forename: Eli Knispel
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Rueness
authors.forename: Dorothee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ehrich
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hurrell
authors.forename: Ole Chr
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Lingjaerde
authors.forename: Kjetill S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada; D002335:Carnivora; D002980:Climate; D004463:Ecology; D005843:Geography; D034621:Hares; D011156:Population Density; D012621:Seasons; D012914:Snow