LEMMINGS
Lemmings are a small, short-tailed, thickset rodents, found in the Arctic tundra. They play a vital ecological role, especially in the Arctic food chain. Since they are the only small rodent species found there, they are the food source of many predators, like the arctic fox, snowy owl, stoats, weasels, and predatory birds like the long-tailed Skua. Since they only feed on live vegetation, it makes a huge impact on the arctic biome, even more so in the years with higher populations. The lemming population fluctuates every year, and tends to peak every 3-5 years. During these years, predators kill about 75% to 80% of their population. However, population trends are changing and becoming more and more unpredictable. Because so many animals rely on lemmings as a main food source, they end up having to find other sources of food, leading to the an unstable food chain.
During a recent study, it showed that having the lemming present in the biome is incredibly important, and can have a great effect on the ecosystem and the atmosphere. Lemmings have a preference for grasses and sedge species, which during high population years are greatly ravaged. In lower population years, these plants will grow back. This cycle is thought to have an indirect impact to global warming and climate change. Lemmings promote the growth of grasses and sedges, while suppressing and eradicating lichen, moss, and plant litter. Their presence can affect the soil nutrient dynamics and the vegetation that grows in a certain area. These all have an effect on the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and the fragile climate in the Arctic.
During a recent study, it showed that having the lemming present in the biome is incredibly important, and can have a great effect on the ecosystem and the atmosphere. Lemmings have a preference for grasses and sedge species, which during high population years are greatly ravaged. In lower population years, these plants will grow back. This cycle is thought to have an indirect impact to global warming and climate change. Lemmings promote the growth of grasses and sedges, while suppressing and eradicating lichen, moss, and plant litter. Their presence can affect the soil nutrient dynamics and the vegetation that grows in a certain area. These all have an effect on the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and the fragile climate in the Arctic.