135 
Population Studies of Lemmings 
in the Coastal Tundra 
of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska 
DALE D. FEIST 
Institute of Arctic Biology 
University of Alaska 
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 
Introduction 
Previous studies of microtine rodents on the 
arctic coastal tundra at Barrow have demonstrat- 
ed marked fluctuations of lemming populations 
and considerable impact of high numbers of 
lemmings on local habitat (Pitelka 1957, 1973). 
However, the importance of microtine rodents 
in the total flow of energy and nutrients in the 
tundra ecosystem remains to be evaluated 
(Batzli, in press). Furthermore, it is not clear 
whether we can generalize from the limited 
studies at Barrow as to the species and numbers 
of microtine rodents and their importance in the 
tundra ecosystem at other sites along the arctic 
coast of Alaska. 
The present studies of lemming populations 
were initiated on the arctic coastal tundra near 
Prudhoe Bay in the summer of 1971 to provide 
comparative data in conjunction with other 
investigations of the tundra ecosystem conduct- 
ed by the U. S. IBP Tundra Biome Program. The 
initial objectives were to assess: (1) the produc- 
tivity of microtine rodent populations; and (2) 
the effect of microtine rodent populations on 
the net primary production. The Prudhoe Bay 
area was of interest both for basic studies of 
coastal tundra and for the potential impact of 
local human activities (exploration and extrac- 
tion of oil) on the tundra ecosystem. 
Materials and Methods 
Study area 
The general area of arctic coastal plain near 
Prudhoe Bay selected for studies by the U.S. 
IBP Tundra Biome Program lies at about 
75° 15’N latitude and is bounded on the west by 
the Kuparuk River and on the east by the 
Sagavanirktok River (Fig. 1). Much of the land 
surface consists of ponds and shallow lakes. The 
terrestrial habitat has limited relief and is domi- 
nated by drained lake basins with varying 
degrees of polygonization. The summer climate 
is notably warmer than that of Barrow; rapid 
snowmelt generally occurs in early June, and 
mean summer air temperatures are +2.6, +6.4, 
and +4.8°C in June, July, and August, respec- 
tively (Brown et al., this volume). The vegeta- 
tion is typical of the arctic coastal plain and has 
been described in detail by several investigators 
(Neiland and Hok, this volume; Webber and 
Walker, this volume). 
During the summer the area serves as a 
breeding ground or temporary stopping place for 
as many as 53 different avian species, mostly 
shore birds and waterfowl! (Norton et al., this 
volume). Several species of jaegers (Stercorarius 
sp.), the snowy owl (Nyctea scandiaca), and the 
short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) may act as 
predators on microtine rodents. 
