Open AccessDynamics of Canadian lynx populations in space and time 1
Author(s) -
Ranta Esa,
Kaitala Veijo,
Lindström Jan
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1997.tb00412.x
Subject(s) - biological dispersal , range (aeronautics) , ecology , dynamics (music) , geography , spatial ecology , biology , demography , population , materials science , physics , sociology , acoustics , composite material
The records of Canadian lynx fur returns indicate rather regular self‐repeating pattern with 9–11 yr cycles That the lynx populations over a vast geographical range fluctuate in synchrony appears to be well established The finding that the degree of synchrony levels off with increasing distance among provinces compared to increase again between the furthest–away provinces (O–shape) has largely escaped notice in previous analyses Moreover, the pattern of synchrony against distance varies depending on the period of time used m the analysis, sometimes there is O–shape, sometimes mere negative correlation, and sometimes no relationship whatsoever The entire rich pattern of lynx dynamics in space and time can be emulated by sets of local subpopulations acknowledging dispersal among populations This all suggest that local dynamics of populations cannot be fully understood unless the significance of spatial linkage of subpopulations via dispersal of individuals is acknowledged