Moose quality in the North

Climate, forage availability and competition with other ungulates can affect moose condition and reproduction. To adapt management, we need to understand how these conditions affect individuals and populations. The project focuses on moose population quality, including age structure, reproductive capacity, body size, body mass, energy status and stress hormone levels.

Combining this information with existing data on moose density, forage availability and climate provides an integrated understanding of how habitat affects moose health and population development. Together with hunters in selected areas, we collect biological samples from harvested moose for analysis. The analyses also include diets assessed from faecal samples. Together with Moose forage in the North, we link diet and movement data from GPS-collared moose to individual body condition. Existing data from the reference areas allow us to examine relationships with available forage resources and ungulate community composition.

The project will provide knowledge of how diet, resource use and habitat relate to moose condition and reproduction. The results will help managers assess population development using characteristics beyond animal numbers and distinguish between possible explanations for changes in, for example, body mass and reproductive capacity.

The aim is to generate new knowledge that strengthens sustainable, adaptive moose management as changes in climate, landscapes and the densities of other deer species create new demands. The project works closely with the County Administrative Boards, the Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management, Jägarnas Riksförbund and the forestry sector. Results are communicated to stakeholders throughout the project. The evidence is relevant to Sweden's environmental objective A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life and Sustainable Development Goal 15 by supporting management that considers moose habitats, long-term population viability and sustainable use.