title: Population limitation in a non-cyclic arctic fox population in a changing climate.
abstract: Arctic foxes Vulpes lagopus (L.) display a sharp 3- to 5-year fluctuation in population size where lemmings are their main prey. In areas devoid of lemmings, such as Iceland, they do not experience short-term fluctuations. This study focusses on the population dynamics of the arctic fox in Iceland and how it is shaped by its main prey populations. Hunting statistics from 1958-2003 show that the population size of the arctic fox was at a maximum in the 1950s, declined to a minimum in the 1970s, and increased steadily until 2003. Analysis of the arctic fox population size and their prey populations suggests that fox numbers were limited by rock ptarmigan numbers during the decline period. The recovery of the arctic fox population was traced mostly to an increase in goose populations, and favourable climatic conditions as reflected by the Subpolar Gyre. These results underscore the flexibility of a generalist predator and its responses to shifting food resources and climate changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 7, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland. snaebj@hi.is.
authors.forename: Snæbjörn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pálsson
authors.affiliation: Icelandic Institute of Natural History, PO Box 5320, 210, Gardabaer, Iceland.
authors.forename: Páll
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hersteinsson
authors.affiliation: Icelandic Institute of Natural History, PO Box 5320, 210, Gardabaer, Iceland.
authors.forename: Ester R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Unnsteinsdóttir
authors.affiliation: Icelandic Institute of Natural History, PO Box 5320, 210, Gardabaer, Iceland.
authors.forename: Ólafur K
authors.initials: ÓK
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D046090:Anseriformes; D003411:Arvicolinae; D001717:Birds; D002980:Climate; D057231:Climate Change; D004032:Diet; D017753:Ecosystem; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005589:Foxes / Q000502:physiology*; D046094:Galliformes; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011235:Predatory Behavior
keywords: Fluctuations; Goose; Northern fulmar; Population dynamics; Rock ptarmigan