Arctic fox population monitoring

Mórauður refur í Hornvík. Á síðum eru leyfar af vetrarfeldi og í honum er fjallagras og mosi.
Arctic fox, Hornvík. – Photo by Ester Rut Unnsteinsdóttir

The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is the only terrestrial mammal native to Iceland. The main goal of the monitoring project is to estimate the size of Iceland’s Arctic fox population and track changes to its size and distribution over time. Monitoring is based on collaboration with fox hunters, who send carcasses to researchers. As hunting takes place in all regions and all seasons, this gives a good cross-section of the total population.

Scientists determine the foxes’ age by analysing the root cementum of the canine teeth. The total Arctic fox population is estimated with the use of age cohort analysis and hunting statistics.

Changes in population growth rate are compared to various elements, such as weather conditions and population changes in prey species, in order to explain limiting factors. Fertility and body condition are also evaluated, in order to explain regulating factors. Key factors such as recruitment and mortality rate, as well as fecundity, are assessed from hunting statistics and by measuring carcasses.

As part of fox monitoring, the IINH works with collaborators in Iceland and abroad on the following special projects:

  • Diet of Icelandic Arctic foxes in winter
  • Reproductive capacity of female Arctic foxes in Iceland
  • Conservation status of the Icelandic Arctic fox
  • Adaptation of the population model to the Icelandic Arctic fox population
  • Limiting factors in the population ecology of the Icelandic Arctic fox population
  • Density-dependent population dynamics of the Icelandic Arctic fox population
  • Health and pollutants in the Icelandic Arctic fox
  • Endothermal parasites in the Icelandic Arctic fox
  • Population genetics of the Icelandic Arctic fox
  • Social system of foxes
  • Habitat selection and distribution of Icelandic Arctic foxes
  • Population size and conservation status of the Icelandic Arctic fox
  • Diet of Icelandic Arctic foxes during 30 years of population changes – University of Tromso, MSc project
  • Plastic in stomachs of Arctic foxes – Environmental agency (UST), Ospar
  • Urbanization of Icelandic Arctic foxes – University of Newcastle, MSc project
  • Tourist disturbance of denning Arctic foxes – The Arctic Fox Centre
  • Den occupancy and population ecology of Arctic foxes of Hornstrandir – The Arctic Fox Centre
  • Relationship between foxhunting and sheep loss in Westfjords – University of Bangor, Wales – BSc project
  • Identification and mapping purple pigments in bones of Arctic foxes – University of Iceland, MSc project
  • Adaptation of the population model to the Icelandic Arctic fox population – University of Iceland, University of Insubria, University of Oxford, PhD project
  • Health and pollutants in the Icelandic Arctic fox – Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
  • Scanning for Ixodes ricinus ticks in Iceland
  • Endothermal parasites in the Icelandic Arctic fox – MAST, Keldur
  • Behavioral ecology of the Arctic fox – University of Stockholm
  • Distribution map of Icelandic Arctic fox dens – The Environmental Agency
  • Limiting factors in the population ecology of the Icelandic Arctic fox population – University of Iceland
  • Regulating factors in the population ecology of the Icelandic Arctic fox population – Stockholm University, University of Iceland

IINH contact: Ester Rut Unnsteinsdóttir