Journal article
Snow conditions may create an invisible barrier for lynx
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.101(29), pp.10632-10634
07/12/2004
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0308674101
PMCID: PMC489985
PMID: 15249676
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.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Snow conditions may create an invisible barrier for lynx
- Creators
- Nils Chr Stenseth - University of OsloAmir Shabbar - Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1050 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway; Climate Research Branch, Meteorological Service of Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3H 5T4; Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9; National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80307; and Bioinformatics Group, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1080 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, NorwayKung-Sik Chan - University of IowaStan Boutin - University of IowaEli Knispel Rueness - University of IowaDorothee Ehrich - University of IowaJames W Hurrell - University of IowaOle Chr Lingjærde - University of IowaKjetill S Jakobsen - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.101(29), pp.10632-10634
- DOI
- 10.1073/pnas.0308674101
- PMID
- 15249676
- PMCID
- PMC489985
- NLM abbreviation
- Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
- ISSN
- 0027-8424
- eISSN
- 1091-6490
- Publisher
- National Academy of Sciences
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/12/2004
- Academic Unit
- Statistics and Actuarial Science; Radiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984257613802771
Metrics
19 Record Views