Lemming abundance and habitat selection at Walker Bay, Nunavut

We monitor lemming abundance using two methods. (1) Capture-marking-recapture by live trapping animals using Longworth traps on twelve 0.36 grids (25 live-trap stations) and one 9-ha grid (100 live traps) in mixed heath/wetland habitats. The 12 small grids have been sampled in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007 and 2009. The large grid was sampled in 2004 and 2007. Trapping sessions last for 3 days and occur only once during the summer in June/July. We identify all animals to species and age class and also determine the reproductive condition of all captured animals. (2) Survey of lemming winter nests after snow-melt in our live-trapping grids in mid-June (2007 and 2009).