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Stenseth, N.C.; Shabbar, A.; Chan, K.-S.; Boutin, S.; Rueness, E.K.; Ehrich, D.; Hurrell, J.W.; Lingjaerde, O.C.; Jakobsen, K.S.
Snow conditions may create an invisible barrier for lynx
2004 Pnas (101): 10632-10934
The dynamics of Canadian lynx (_Lynx canadensis_) abundance are geographically structured according to the influence of large-scale climatic regimes. Here we demonstrate that this structuring matches zones of differential snow conditions, in particular surface hardness, as determined by the frequency of winter warm spells. Through a modified functional response curve, we show that various features of the snow may influence lynx interaction with its main prey species, the snowshoe hare (_Lepus americanus_). This study highlights the importance of snow, and exemplifies how large-scale climatic fluctuations can mechanistically influence population biological patterns.
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