Abstract
The re-colonisation of wolves into Scandinavia brings back important processes in this ecosystem. The primary effects of predation on the main prey populations is currently under study within the frame of the Scandinavian wolf research project (SKANDULV). However, the presence of wolves is likely to affect other species than prey but no research is currently carried out on this field. Research has shown that wolves may result in secondary effects on the diversity of vegetation by affecting the number of ungulates in the area. In Scandinavia, secondary effects of wolves may include highly preferred browse species by moose and roe deer such as aspen, rowan and Salix spp. Other effects of wolves may include species that may benefit from wolf killed carcasses (brown bear, red fox, raven, insects) but also species that may compete with wolves for prey (lynx). This application will cover the expenses for a PhD-student working in close collaboration with the ongoing wolf research project. Main research questions includes; 1) measure the effect of wolf presence on the density of lynx and red fox, 2) measure the effects of wolf presence on population density of primary prey species moose and roe deer, 3) measure effects of variable densities of main prey on the diversity and abundance of highly preferred browse species and, 4) measure the diversity and extent of scavenging by other species on wolf killed carcasses of moose and roe deer.
Sweden