Lemming abundance and habitat selection at Walker Bay, Nunavut

• Main Author: Morris, Douglas
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network 2015
• Subjects: Abundance; Kent Peninsula; Lemmings; Mammals; Population dynamics; Reproductive ecology; Small mammals; Walker Bay; Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna - Terrestrial; International Polar Year-Arctic Wildlife Observatories Linking Vulnerable EcoSystems; Arctic; Nunavut; Circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program; Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna; International Polar Year
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5443/724; https://www.polardata.ca/pdcsearch/?doi_id=724

We monitor lemming abundance using two methods. (1) Capture-marking-recapture by live trapping animals using Longworth traps on twelve 0.36 grids (25 live-trap stations) and one 9-ha grid (100 live traps) in mixed heath/wetland habitats. The 12 small grids have been sampled in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007 and 2009. The large grid was sampled in 2004 and 2007. Trapping sessions last for 3 days and occur only once during the summer in June/July. We identify all animals to species and age class and also determine the reproductive condition of all captured animals. (2) Survey of lemming winter nests after snow-melt in our live-trapping grids in mid-June (2007 and 2009). : Purpose: Assessing and predicting density-dependent habitat selection and competitive interactions between two species of lemmings. : Summary: Not Applicable