Lemming Studies
Summer 2013 Preliminary Summary:
Ryan Klimstra (formerly of NSB-DWM) and USFWS staff continued a lemming monitoring study near Barrow the summer of 2013. Captured lemmings were injected with tags used for “mark-recapture” population estimates. There were 41 lemming captures, with 16 lemmings recaptured. These low lemming numbers agreed with the low lemming sightings by local residents and the biologists. We hope to continue this study long-term to better understand fluctuations in lemming numbers. (The study continued in 2014 with DWM staff, and continues to present with USFWS staff.)
Publications:
- Ott, K.E. 2012. Estimation of lemming abundance and distribution near Barrow, Alaska. Technical report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks Field Office, Fairbanks, Alaska. 46 pp.
- Ott, K.E., and Currier, K.D., 2014. Monitoring lemming abundance and distribution near Barrow, Alaska, 2012. Technical report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks Field Office, Fairbanks, Alaska. 45 pp.
Resources:
- ADF&G Lemming Species Profile.
- Quakenbush, L., et al. 2004. Breeding biology of Steller’s eiders (Polysticta stelleri) near Barrow, Alaska, 1991-1999. Arctic 57:166-182.
