Data from: The role of predation, forestry and productivity in moose harvest at different spatial levels of management units
Data files
Jun 04, 2024 version files 143.54 KB
Abstract
Management of ungulate populations to the desired density and/or demographic composition are challenged by contrasting aims of different stakeholders. For example, hunters may want to maximize hunting opportunities whereas commercial forest owners may want to minimize moose densities to mitigate browsing damage. In addition, the return of large predators such as wolves (Canis lupus) affects the possible harvest yield of ungulates and influences the population composition through their selection of specific age classes. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of factors related to the variation in moose (Alces alces) harvest. We used moose harvest statistics from the period 2012-2020, wolf annual monitoring data, annual brown bear (Ursus arctos) density, proportion of young forest per management unit, and proportion of agricultural land per management unit (index for productivity and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) density) to explain variation in moose harvest across different management units at two spatial levels in two bordering countries, Sweden and Norway. The results showed variable responses in total harvest to changes in wolf territory density both at the regional and local management level. The proportion of young forest was correlated with both increased total harvest and proportion of calves. Increased proportion of agricultural land was linked to both increased total harvest and proportion of calves, likely due to that increased roe deer densities re-directed wolf predation from moose to roe deer, and an inverse relationship with brown bear density. Differences between countries may be due to differences in the management regime of moose, both in an historical and present perspective. Improved monitoring for individual hunting areas over time will be important for both the understanding of how different ungulate populations are affected by various factors and for the desired management of wildlife populations shared across borders.
README: The role of predation, forestry and productivity in moose harvest at different spatial levels of management units
Description of the data files and structure:
There are three datasets that correspond to the three spatial levels of management units. Specifically, the Regional level is composed of regional management units (RMUs), the Local level is composed of local management units (LMUs), and the Hunting areas (HA). See the paragraph 'Harvest statistics' in Material and Methods for more details.
Below is a description of the columns:
country = Sweden or Norway
hunting_area = License area or Management area
year = year (2012 is 2012/2013)
size_RMU/size_HA = size of management unit
short_term_wolf_index = index of wolf territory density as an average during two years
long_term_wolf_index = index of wolf territory density as an average during five years
brown_bear_density = density of brown bear
young_forest = proportion of young forest
roe_deer_index = index of roe deer density measuered as proportion of agricultural land