Open AccessGeographical and temporal patterns of lemming population dynamics in Fennoscandia
Author(s) -
Angerbjörn Anders,
Tannerfeldt Magnus,
Lundberg Håkan
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0587.2001.240307.x
Subject(s) - population cycle , biological dispersal , ecology , population , population ecology , geography , norwegian , biology , demography , predation , linguistics , philosophy , sociology
There is a long‐lasting debate in ecology on cyclicity, synchrony and time lags of lemming population fluctuations. We have analysed 137 yr of previously published population data on the Norwegian lemming Lemmus lemmus in ten geographic regions of Fennoscandia. The dominating pattern was synchronous 4‐yr cycles. There was no support for the hypothesis of a north‐south gradient in cycle length. However, we found periods of prolonged interruptions in the cyclicity, which were more common in northern areas. We found a high degree of synchrony between regions, with only a weak relationship to distance. The observed pattern in lemming population dynamics was more consistent with effects from extrinsic factors, such as climate, than intrinsic factors, such as dispersal.