Effect of snow cover on the vulnerability of lemmings to mammalian predators in the Canadian Arctic

Bilodeau, Frédéric; Gauthier, Gilles; Berteaux, Dominique

doi:10.1644/12-mamm-a-260.1

Cited by 35 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…First, the subnivean space gradually becomes colder than above the snowpack as the air temperature increases (Bilodeau et al 2013a). Second, surface meltwater starts to percolate through the snowpack and refreezes at the bottom upon reaching the permafrost (Woo et al 1982) (Fig.…”

Section: Importance Of Snow and Ice For Tundra Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Protection offered to small mammals by snow is more limited for predators that can easily dig through the snow, like the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus). In Arctic Canada, Bilodeau et al (2013a) found that deep and hard snow did not hamper the ability of foxes to dig through the snow to catch lemmings, but did limit their use of the alternative hunting technique of jumping through the snow. Ovsyanikov (1993) reported that Arctic foxes dug holes up to 70-80 cm deep to reach lemmings under the snow.…”

Section: Importance Of Snow and Ice For Tundra Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ovsyanikov (1993) reported that Arctic foxes dug holes up to 70-80 cm deep to reach lemmings under the snow. Finally, the ability of least weasels (Mustela nivalis) and ermines (or stoats) (Mustela erminea) to catch lemmings does not appear to be affected by snow depth or hardness (Bilodeau et al 2013a), probably because their small size allows them to move under the snow through the tunnels created by their small rodent prey.…”

Section: Importance Of Snow and Ice For Tundra Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our review identifies the buffer layer, particularly its snow component, as the most influential part of the permafrost system for the ecology of tundra wildlife. Godin et al 2015;Gilg et al 2009;Bilodeau et al 2013aBilodeau et al , 2013cZimova et al 2016 Weather conditions during fall onset of the snowpack have long-lasting effects on its insulating properties (Insulation)…”

Section: Knowledge Gaps and Research Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of changing permafrost and snow conditions on tundra wildlife: critical places and times

et al. 2017

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The change of water phase around 0°C has considerable impacts on wildlife ecology because liquid and solid water strongly differ in their insulating capability, mechanical resistance, and light reflectance. Freeze and melt events thus have strong ecological relevance, particularly in the Arctic where snow and ice are omnipresent and their conditions are changing due to climate warming. We first review the mechanisms linking water phase transitions to wildlife ecology, with emphasis on seven key processes. These processes are illustrated with examples or detailed case studies, such as snowmelt and icing events affecting herbivore populations, thaw-induced collapse of structures used by wildlife for reproduction, and thermal erosion of ice wedges reducing waterfowl habitat. We infer that water phase transitions generate some critical places and critical times that play a disproportionate role in the ecology of tundra wildlife. We map these critical places and times to help structure future research on the effects of climate change on tundra wildlife in a context where changing permafrost and snow conditions might trigger abrupt ecological responses in the Arctic tundra.Key words: ice, permafrost, snow, tundra, wildlife.Résumé : Le changement de phase de l'eau autour de 0°C a des impacts considérables sur l'écologie de la faune parce que l'eau liquide et l'eau solide diffèrent fortement dans leur capacité d'isolation, leur résistance mécanique et leur réflectance à la lumière. Les évé-nements de gel et de dégel ont ainsi une grande pertinence écologique, particulièrement dans l'Arctique où la neige et la glace sont omniprésentes et leurs conditions changent en raison du réchauffement climatique. Nous passons d'abord en revue les mécanismes liant les transitions de phase de l'eau à l'écologie de la faune, l'accent étant mis sur sept processus clés. Ces processus sont illustrés par des exemples ou des études de cas détaillées, tels que des événements de fonte des neiges et de gel ayant un effet sur les populations herbivores, l'écroulement provoqué par le dégel des structures utilisées par la faune pour la reproduction et l'érosion thermique des fentes de glace réduisant l'habitat du gibier d'eau. Nous déduisons For personal use only. SYNTHESIS PAPERque ces transitions de phase de l'eau produisent quelques endroits critiques et temps critiques qui jouent un rôle disproportionné dans l'écologie de la faune de la toundra. Nous dressons la carte de ces endroits et temps critiques afin d'aider à structurer la recherche future sur les effets du changement climatique sur la faune de la toundra, dans un contexte où les conditions changeantes du pergélisol et de la neige pourraient déclencher des réponses écologiques brusques dans la toundra arctique.

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Section: Importance Of Snow and Ice For Tundra Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Importance Of Snow and Ice For Tundra Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Importance Of Snow and Ice For Tundra Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Knowledge Gaps and Research Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of changing permafrost and snow conditions on tundra wildlife: critical places and times

et al. 2017

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“…This could be due to the timing of the sampling, in the winter hunting becomes more difficult and less cost effective [45]. While northeastern male coyotes weigh on average 2 kg more than females the physical and morphological differences between the two may not be strictly from evolutionary causes, but could instead be due to their hybridization with wolves [20] [46].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Winter Diet in Correlation to Sexual Dimorphism in Pennsylvania Coyotes (<i>Canis latrans</i>)

Metzger¹,

Washinger²,

Iudica³

2017

OJE

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Coyotes (Canis latrans) have been rapidly expanding into the Northeastern Region of the United States since the mid 1900's most likely due to anthropogenic changes in their habitat. Several studies suggest that in addition to being top predators, coyotes are opportunistic feeders and are able to switch prey based on availability and density. Their generalist predation approach allows variation in their diets, and a widespread impact on the ecosystems in which they reside. In this paper, one hundred and seventy seven coyote stomachs were obtained throughout Pennsylvania from 2009-2012 and were dissected to define coyote winter diet. The contents were identified using ad hoc reference bone collections and a set of SEM hair images. Stomach contents were used to identify any correlation between sexual dimorphism and winter diets. It is hypothesized that if Pennsylvania's coyotes show sexual dimorphism, male diets may differ from females. Being able to hunt larger animals may provide males the benefit of a higher caloric return. As a by-product of this research we are detailing a list of prey items found in the winter diet of C. latrans arranged by sex and location.

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Fat, Furry, Flexible, and Functionally Important: Characteristics of Mammals Living in the Arctic

et al. 2020

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Effect of snow cover on the vulnerability of lemmings to mammalian predators in the Canadian Arctic

Cited by 35 publications

References 36 publications

Effects of changing permafrost and snow conditions on tundra wildlife: critical places and times

Effects of changing permafrost and snow conditions on tundra wildlife: critical places and times

Winter Diet in Correlation to Sexual Dimorphism in Pennsylvania Coyotes (<i>Canis latrans</i>)

Fat, Furry, Flexible, and Functionally Important: Characteristics of Mammals Living in the Arctic

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Effect of snow cover on the vulnerability of lemmings to mammalian predators in the Canadian Arctic

Cited by 35 publications

References 36 publications

Effects of changing permafrost and snow conditions on tundra wildlife: critical places and times

Effects of changing permafrost and snow conditions on tundra wildlife: critical places and times

Winter Diet in Correlation to Sexual Dimorphism in Pennsylvania Coyotes (&lt;i&gt;Canis latrans&lt;/i&gt;)

Fat, Furry, Flexible, and Functionally Important: Characteristics of Mammals Living in the Arctic

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About

Winter Diet in Correlation to Sexual Dimorphism in Pennsylvania Coyotes (<i>Canis latrans</i>)