Snowshoe hare populations in woodlot habitat

Abstract

Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) population dynamics were monitored on six woodlots totaling 33 ha in an agricultural area near Westlock, Alberta, from May 1970 to May 1974. Numerical trends in woodlot and nearby forest hare populations at Rochester were similar, but densities were consistently lower in woodlot habitat until the final stages of a general population decline. Annual reproductive rates were greater in woodlot populations in 1971 (11.2 vs. 9.1 young per adult female) and 1973(11.1 vs. 7.4); and similar to forest populations in 1970 and 1972. Consistently low rates of 1st-year survival (4 to 7%) in woodlot hare populations resulted in lower annual population growth rates and hence lower population densities. Browsing-intensity surveys indicated that both forest and woodlot hare populations encountered overwinter food shortages. In addition, woodlot hare populations may have suffered higher rates of predation.