Using Near Infrared for Studying Lemming Subnival Behavior in the High Arctic

• Published in: Proceedings
• Main Authors: Davood Kalhor, Anastasiia Pusenkova, Mathilde Poirier, Gilles Gauthier, Tigran Galstian, Xavier Maldague
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019
• Subjects: lemming; monitoring rodents; near infrared camera; subnivean ecology; Arctic ecology; General Works; A; Arctic; Bylot Island; Canada; Nunavut
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019027011; https://doaj.org/article/e09701ceb4c74f90a35e93103558ab22

Despite the crucial role of lemming in the Arctic ecosystem, many aspects of its ecology are still unknown. The main challenge of studying lemming is that this rodent does not hibernate in winter and remains active under snow. To tackle this challenge, this paper presents a monitoring system based on near infrared. Design and implementation of a system that should work autonomously in the harsh arctic environment is really challenging. After developing the first version of the equipment, we installed three units at Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada. Retrieved videos were promising and showed the great potential of this system in assisting ecologists to study the subnivean ecology of the Arctic. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first ever videos of lemming that have been recorded under snow in winter in the Arctic.