Our research team has been working at the Goose Camp on Bylot Island, Sirmilik National Park since 1988. A central theme of our projects is to study interactions between plant, herbivores and predators. Through our Northern Biodiversity Project, we are interested in collecting observations of all wildlife species made by community members around Pond Inlet but especially of lemmings and their main predators.

Why study lemmings?
Lemming populations follow 3 to 5-year cycles of abundance but in some parts of the world their abundance has decreased and remained low for a long time. The collapse of lemming populations could have major effects on predators that feed upon them like foxes and raptors, thereby indirectly affecting species of high value to Northerners.

What do we know about lemming populations?
Few research projects have studied lemming abundance in Nunavut. We have gathered data on Bylot Island since 1994 but in order to understand changes occurring in the Arctic ecosystem, we need a better monitoring of lemmings and their main predators at a large spatial scale.

How can you help?
Any person from the community can contribute to the monitoring of lemmings and their predators by reporting observations of these species made during trips on the Land. We are also interested in gathering information about any other wildlife species you might encountered.

How can you share your observations?
You simply have to click on the ‘Login’ tab above and log into your community account or create your own. The Pond Inlet community account information is available on the posters announcing the project in town or by contacting us. You can then select the species you have seen and answer a few questions.

Information collected and shared by community members will be available to them through this website.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Contact names
Gilles Gauthier, Professor, Université Laval
Marie-Christine Cadieux, research assistant, Université Laval
Pierre Legagneux, research professional, Université du Québec à Rimouski