Dynamics of Canadian lynx populations in space and time

The records of Canadian lynx fur returns indicate rather regular self-repeating pattern with 9-11 yr cycles. That the lynx populations over a vast geographical range fluctuate in synchrony appears to be well established. The finding that the degree of synchrony levels off with increasing distance among provinces compared to increase again between the furthest-away provinces (boolean OR-shape) has largely escaped notice in previous analyses. Moreover, the pattern of synchrony against distance varies depending on the period of time used in the analysis, sometimes there is boolean OR-shape, sometimes mere negative correlation, and sometimes no relationship whatsoever. The entire rich pattern of lynx dynamics in space and time can be emulated by sets of local subpopulations acknowledging dispersal among populations. This all suggest that local dynamics of populations cannot be fully understood unless the significance of spatial linkage of subpopulations via dispersal of individuals is acknowledged.