Population Dynamics
Monitoring the development of the wolf population is an important part of the research. The wolf population is monitored in terms of numbers and geographical distribution by the County Boards. Knowledge of mortality, reproduction and immigration are important for management and conservation.
Monitoring is fundamental for addressing questions related to the conservation and management of the wolf population. Annual surveys (conducted by the County Administrative Boards in collaboration with the Wildlife Damage Center) are therefore a key element of this field, supplemented by data from dead wolves, DNA analysis, transmitter-tagged wolves, and mathematical modeling of population dynamics. For example, GPS collars provide valuable information on both mortality and reproduction, which are important factors influencing the growth of the Scandinavian wolf population. The GPS data helps determine when an animal dies, and in some cases, it allows us to pinpoint the cause of death. The collars also provide insights into whether and when reproduction has occurred in a specific territory. By analyzing GPS data, we can estimate the number of pups born by investigating den sites in the field. The number of successful reproductions is a crucial metric for estimating the total size of the population and tracking its development over time.