Affected Species: The Canadian Lynx

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Canadian lynx is another Northeastern species that is suffering from the effects of climate change and warming conditions. The Canadian lynx is considered a specialty species, because of its "evolved physical attributes, like large saucer-like paws, that provide a competitive advantage in deep snow habitats." (Butcher 1) The Canadian lynx feeds almost exclusively on the snowshoe hare, another species that is threatened by the changing climate. The snowshoe hare thrives in regenerating spruce and balsam fir stands, and since their population is directly related to the structure and ecology of Northeastern forests, the Canadian lynx relies on the maintenance and consistency of these forests for its own survival. However, diminishing forests are not the only threat to the Canadian lynx. What other factors related to climate change pose a threat to the Canadian lynx?

Rosing

• As a specialized species, the Canadian lynx relies on its evolved physical attributes to out-compete other predatory species for food.

• Decreased snowfall over the past few years has created conditions in which other predators such as bobcats and fisher cats are able to out-compete the lynx in terms of hunting.

• As the climate continues to warm, the Canadian lynx has no choice but to recede with the snowfall, because it is much less suited for adaptation to warmer climates than its competitive species, largely in part to its evolved physical attributes that are built for snowy conditions.

(Butcher 1)