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Your 2020 update of the Swedish Arctic Fox Project

Monitoring the Swedish arctic fox is challenging under “normal” conditions. In 2020? Even more so. The Swedish Arctic Fox Project however, had a successful year and have shared their findings.

Despite being a challenging year 2020 was a relatively successful year for our research project. Unlike many other projects we were not forced to skip and were able to conduct our fieldwork as planned.

Swedish Arctic Fox Project Report 2020
Arctic fox

In the best of times, it takes a lot of dedication to keep tabs on a species as remote and elusive as the arctic fox. In 2020? Even more so, but the Swedish Arctic Fox Project managed to have a successful year. A team from Stockholm University’s Department of Zoology, their work continues to contribute valuable insights about the species, as well as shed light on how Sweden’s efforts to protect the population are faring. 

researcher looking for an arctic fox

2020 by the numbers

“This year reminded us all how important collaboration and teamwork is when facing unpredictable circumstances. Without the help from our supporters like volunteers, rangers or sponsors we would not have been as successful.”

The fieldwork conducted by the Swedish Arctic Fox Project was carried out by 52 people: 16 rangers and 27 volunteers, as well as one student, two research assistants and six coordinators from Stockholm University. Each person spent an average of 19,5 days in the field, which is a total of 585 days. The entire team walked about 3.564 kilometres and checked 320 known dens. They also found three new dens, one of which was confirmed to be an arctic fox den. 

The work undertaken by the team in 2020 was considerable: 

“The global pandemic was not the only challenge our reliable fieldworkers had to face. The field season of 2020 has requested a lot of strength and endurance from most of our field teams as weather and litter distribution were nearly unpredictable.”

Field workers on arctic fox initiative

In the summer, the team learned that 35 arctic fox litters were born in Sweden. Litter sizes varied between one to 10 cubs per den, with a total of 56 observed cubs. Most of the litters were born in Helagsfjällen: 18. This was followed by Vindelfjällen and Arjeplogsfjällen with eight litters. Litters were also discovered in areas near to mountain ranges, like Sösjöfjällen, Borgafjällen, Sitas, Padjelanta and Råsto. No new litters were found in Kebnekaise and Artfjället.

2020 was a “crash year”

In 2019, 72 litters were born and 295 cubs were observed. Should we be worried? Not necessarily. Arctic foxes have peak and crash years that generally follow rodent population cycles. While 2019 was a peak year, 2020, as predicted, was a crash year in most areas. Unsurprisingly, observed rodents seemed to be scarce during the season, with only 71 lemming nests spotted, versus 335 in 2019. One bright spot in this regard is Helagsfjällen, which saw only three fewer litters born compared to 2019.

Cuddled up arctic fox

What else did we learn?

Yearly monitoring of populations is critical to understanding the arctic fox, but the Swedish Arctic Fox Project also confirmed other valuable information.

Camping in fjällräven tent

First off, it seems that conservation efforts in Sweden have helped restore arctic fox populations. In the 1990s a number of efforts were implemented to help the arctic fox, including supplementary feeding and red fox culling. In 2006, arctic foxes were reintroduced from a captive breeding programme. In the article, “Genetic consequences of conservation action: Restoring the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) population in Scandinavia,” researchers also found that the new arctic fox population has increased genetic variation and connectivity. These are both critical to the long-term viability of the species. 

The Project also learned that it is important for humans to back off from interactions with the arctic fox. In their study, “Arctic Fox Responses to Tourism Activity,” researchers confirmed that as the interest in nature tourism increases, it is important to provide guidelines for wildlife-human interactions to minimise disturbance. With regards to distance, they recommend a minimum of 300 metres. Most arctic foxes however, increased their vigilance at a distance of 500 metres.

Arctic fox

Finally, when it comes to reaching that next den, hard work and a spontaneous mindset pay off. Though 2020 was a crash year, fieldworkers in Helagsfjällen found themselves surprised by the much higher number of litters. Unusually dark nights, harsh weather conditions, as well as cold and rainy days, made reaching and catching dens difficult. Many dens had to be visited twice to successfully catch and tag 2020’s new-born pups.

Spreading the word

Like all other research projects, 2020 also affected the Swedish Arctic Fox Project’s ability to share findings at scientific conferences. As such, it was important to spread the word about the arctic fox through other means. The project’s Instagram account @fjallravsprojektet for example, reached more than 2.000 followers. An important awareness tool, it allows the team to reach out to the public with immediate reports about ongoing fieldwork. The Swedish National TV show, “Mitt I nature – I klimatets spar,” covered the future of the arctic fox in the context of climate change. 

Arctic fox

The project also offered a special treat to enthusiasts: an advent calendar for the festive month of December. This sparked public interest and allowed the Swedish Arctic Fox Project to recap its year in an entertaining way.

The arctic fox is clearly an important part of biodiversity in Sweden, as well as the rest of Fennoscandia. So we are happy to do what we can to support such activities through Arctic Fox Initiative funding. Read more on the Foxtrail about how the Arctic Fox Initiative is helping others in their efforts. Like the WWF Finland and Swedish Arctic Fox Project contributor Vanessa Schreiber.

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