Citation
The ten-year cycle in numbers of the lynx in Canada
TL;DR
Documented 9-10 year population cycle in lynx
This classic analysis of Hudson's Bay Company fur records established the 9-10 year lynx-hare population cycle, providing nearly a century of empirical data (1821-1934) demonstrating predator-prey oscillations.
The lynx-hare cycle represents one of the clearest empirical demonstrations of predator-prey dynamics in nature, with implications for understanding cyclical competition in markets where similar oscillatory patterns occur.
Key Findings from Elton & Nicholson (1942)
- Documented 9-10 year population cycle in lynx
- Cycles correlated with snowshoe hare population fluctuations
- Nearly 100 years of consistent fur trading data
- Clear demonstration of predator-prey population coupling