Macroecological patterns of rodent population dynamics shaped by bioclimatic gradients

Long-term studies of cyclic rodent populations have contributed fundamentally to the development of population ecology. Pioneering rodent studies have shown macroecological patterns of population dynamics in relation to latitude and have inspired similar studies in several other taxa. Nevertheless, such studies have not been able to disentangle the role of different environmental variables in shaping the macroecological patterns. We collected rodent time-series from 26 locations spanning 10 latitudinal degrees in the tundra biome of Fennoscandia and assessed how population dynamics characteristics of the most prevalent species varied with latitude and environmental variables. While we found no relationship between latitude and population cycle peak interval, other characteristics of population dynamics showed latitudinal patterns. The environmental predictor variables provided insight into causes of these patterns, as i) increased proportion of optimal habitat in the landscape led to hi..., This dataset is a collection of rodent time-series from Fennoscandia, together with spatial variables on climate an bioclimatic zonation. , , # Macroecological patterns of rodent population dynamics shaped by bioclimatic gradients

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h9w0vt4t6](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h9w0vt4t6)

## Description of the data and file structure

This dataset is a collection of small rodent trapping datasets and spatial variables on climate and bioclimatic zonation derived for the trapping localities. 

### Files and variables

**time_series_data.txt** = time-series data used

each row represents trapping event per location/sampling unit

variables:

LOC = locality ID

year = year

season = trapping season (fall or spring)

samp_unit = sampling unit ID

trapn = number of trapnights

Mruf = number of grey-sided voles (Myodes rufocanus)

Mrut = number of red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus)

Magr = number of Field voles (Microtus agrestis)

Llem = number of Norwegian lemming (Lemmus lemmus)

Msch = number of Wood lemmings (Myopus schisticolor)

Mgla = number of bank voles (Myodes glareolus)

Moec = number of tundra v...