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Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions

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Published on: March 31, 2023

Linking climate change to lemming cycles.

Kyrre L Kausrud¹, Atle Mysterud, Harald Steen

¹Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.

|November 7, 2008

Summary

Winter weather and snow conditions significantly influence rodent population cycles in alpine ecosystems. Changes in temperature and humidity impact subnivean environments, affecting rodent dynamics and linked species.

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Climate Science
Population Dynamics

Background:

Rodent population cycles at northern latitudes have long been observed but poorly understood.
Predator-prey interactions are often cited as the cause of Fennoscandian rodent cycles.
The influence of environmental factors on these dynamics remains unclear.

Observation:

Rodent population dynamics in an alpine Norwegian habitat (1970-1997) were studied.
Winter weather, snow conditions, and density dependence were analyzed.
Absence of rodent peak years after 1994 was noted.

Findings:

Winter weather and snow conditions, alongside density dependence, explain rodent population dynamics.
Lemming (Lemmus lemmus) population dynamics were accurately modeled.
Local and regional alpine bird dynamics correlated with rodent cycles, indicating shared environmental drivers.

Implications:

Changes in temperature and humidity, affecting subnivean space, significantly impact alpine rodents and associated wildlife.
Less regular rodent peaks and altered alpine ecosystem dynamics are predicted under climate change.
This suggests a broader impact on northern latitude ecosystems due to changing winter conditions.