Weather and the “Regulation” of Subalpine Populations

Abstract

Unusual spring weather climaxed by a late June snowstorm in the subalpine area around Gothic, Gunnison County, Colorado, had a profound effect on the biota. Damage to herbaceous prennial plans was extensive and the size of insect and small mammal populations was depressed. The storm caused the extinction of at least one butterfly population. The significance of these events to arguments concerning the regulation of animal population is discussed.