Natura 2000 |
Here
follows a brief presentation of the joint Swedish - Finnish
- Norwegian conservation project. The project is financed
by LIFE-Nature, WWF Sweden and the participating
partners. The project runs for 5 years, from 2003 through
2008.
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Life
Nature
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Saving
the Endangered Fennoscandian arctic fox
Alopex lagopus
Objective
The arctic fox, or polar fox, (Alopex
lagopus) is threatened to go extinct in Sweden, Finland and everywhere
else in the European Union. It is a priority species according to
the EC Habitat directive. At the present population size with less
than 150 individuals in mainland Europe, even a small change in demographic
parameters or pure "accidents" can affect the risk of extinction
dramatically. Large areas within the previous range of the
arctic fox are empty today and many young foxes have difficulties
to find a non-related partner. The species is highly dependent on
a regular pattern of population cycles of small rodents (Clethrionomys
sp., Microtus sp., Lemmus sp.). The main threat is the small
population size constrained by low food availability. The red fox
(Vulpes vulpes) is a dominant competitor and a predator on
juveniles and is currently increasing its range above the tree line,
taking over dens and excluding arctic foxes
from parts of their breeding range. Since the threatened population
encompasses also Norway, it is important to monitor the population
also there.
Actions and means involved
We will use a dynamic management approach to monitor and allocate
conservation actions to support the species in the most efficient
way. We will use a supplementary feeding programme to increase reproductive
output and juvenile survival, and a red fox
control programme to safeguard the best arctic
fox territories. Further, areas around Swedish dens with arctic
fox cubs will be excluded from ptarmigan hunting, to decrease
disturbance from hunting dogs. The population will be monitored for
various diseases, and the unknown disease causing encephalitis in
captive arctic fox will be identified.
These actions will also be implemented within authorities to ensure
continuation of monitoring and conservation actions after the proposed
project.
Expected results
The actions will increase the reproductive output and decrease mortality
for arctic foxes, and thereby
substantially increase population viability. Further, through information
available on a website and information by local tourist operators,
we will promote public co-operation and understanding for the actions
needed to support the Fennoscandian arctic fox
population.
The project
is a co-operation between Stockholm University (SU), the Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency (SEPA), the Swedish County Administration Boards
(CABs) in Jämtland, Västerbotten and Norrbotten, the Finnish
Forest Research Institute Metla (FFRI), the District of Northern Lapland
Park and Forestry Service Metsähallitus (PFS) in Finland, Norwegian
Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Swedish University of Agricultural
Science (SLU), Swedish National Veterinary Institute (NVI), Fjällräven
AB, Lapplandsafari AB, Fjällhästen AB and Ramundberget Alpina
AB.
Project leader: Dr
Anders Angerbjörn
Dept of Zoology, Stockholm University
To
the Swedish Arctic Fox Project home page
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