Long-term monitoring of the abundance of small mammals on Akimiski Island, Nunavut

• Main Author: Abraham, Kenneth F.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network 2012
• Subjects: Abundance; Akimiski Island; Lemmings; Monitoring; Small mammals; Voles; Weasels; Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna - Terrestrial; International Polar Year-Arctic Wildlife Observatories Linking Vulnerable EcoSystems; Arctic; Nunavut; Akimiski island; Circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program; Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna; International Polar Year; IPY
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5443/1742; https://www.polardata.ca/pdcsearch/?doi_id=1742

Monitoring of species composition and abundance of small mammals (voles) has been conducted on Akimiski since 2004. In 2008-2009, three transects were established for live-trapping purposes, one through each of three habitat types. The tall grass/willow transect was allotted 300 m, and the spruce-boreal forest transect, as well as the dwarf willow transect were allotted 150 m of transect. Each transect was divided into 15 m sections equipped with a trapping station consisting of two or three Sherman folding live traps set out around the station within a 3 meter radius. Transects were at least 100 m apart from each other. Traps were baited apple and peanut butter mixture, and furnished with cotton bedding. Trap checks were performed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Weight, length and sex were taken, and a permanent marker stain was applied to the inside leg in order to identify recaptured individuals. In addition, ArcticWOLVES protocols for runway and nest counts were modified for use in the linear coastal habitats of Akimiski Island. ** Data from the IPY years 2007-2009 are available for download. If data are downloaded and used for analyses, it would greatly be appreciated that the principal investigator be informed. : Purpose: To determine if the cycles in abundance of small mammal populations on Akimiski Island in Nunavut are similar to the Arctic 4-year cycle or the Boreal 10-year cycle. : Summary: Not Applicable