Vulnerability of moose and roe deer to wolf predation in ScandinaviaVulnerability of moose and roe deer to wolf predation in Scandinavia- does habitat matter? - does habitat matter?

Final thesis. International Master Programme Applied Biology 2007Final thesis. International Master Programme Applied Biology 2007By: Lisette Fritzon Supervisor: Håkan SandBy: Lisette Fritzon Supervisor: Håkan Sand

IntroductionIntroduction

In most areas are ungulates In most areas are ungulates by far the most important by far the most important prey for wolvesprey for wolves

In Scandinavia wolf In Scandinavia wolf populations are growing and populations are growing and have an impact on the have an impact on the ecosystem which they live inecosystem which they live in

AimAimTo examine if there are To examine if there are high-risk areas for moose high-risk areas for moose and roe deer in a wolf and roe deer in a wolf territoryterritory

Method

1. Field Reconnaissance • Kill sites located• Recording of habitat and

landscape variables• Control sites 500 m in random

direction from kill sites

2. Geographic spatial analysis• Characteristics of kill sites• Compared with control and

random sites

1

3

5

10

11

72

4

6

8

9

Study area showing the 11 wolf territories on the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Conclusion

• There are patterns in what kind of habitat moose and roe deer are being killed by wolves in Scandinavia

• More studies needed to further investigate the influence wolves have on ungulates

““Knowing how wolves regulate Knowing how wolves regulate moose and roe deer is a central moose and roe deer is a central

question in wildlife management question in wildlife management because it can influence ungulate-because it can influence ungulate-

management decisions”management decisions”

“Insights into the mechanisms of predation may have

important management and conservation implications”

Result 1. Field reconnaissance* Height of undergrowth, proportion of

meadow, proportion of spruce → higher at moose kill sites compared to control sites

* Average meters above sea level→ lower at moose kill sites compared to control sites

* Number of stems →higher at roe deer kill sites compared to control sites

2. Geographic spatial analysis* Proportion clear-cuts, number of

buildings, average meters above sea level → lower at moose kill sites compared to random sites

* Average meters above sea level → lower at roe deer kill sites compared to random sites

* Proportion coniferous forests → higher at roe deer kill sites compared to random sites