![]() ![]() Previous and ongoing research activitie s: “The Ecosystem Finnmark” and “Arctic fox in Finnmark” projects 2003-2007 focusing on trophic interactions within the plant based food web. Trophic interaction cycle s: 4-5 years, relatively low amplitude mustelids (weasels and stoats), arctic fox (rare), rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus), long-tailed skua (Stercorarius longicaudus), arctic skua and snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) (rare) Predators: red fox (Vulpes vulpes) wolverine (Gulo gulo) golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) raven (Corvus corax) Falco spp. Herbivores: Norwegian lemming (Lemmus lemmus) voles (Clethrionomys rufocanus and Microtus oeconomus) hare (Lepus timidus) ptarmigan (Lagopus) spp. 3), mild winters with relatively high winter Variability Tundra zon e: Southern arctic (at the border to sub-arctic/northern boreal)Ĭlimate zon e: Atlantic region (Fig. Infrastructure : Well developed in Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund, regular flights every weekį ield site 2. Previous and ongoing research activities :Long time monitoring series on reindeer since 19, arctic fox since 1997, ptarmigan since 2000, sibling vole since 1989, geese since mid 1980's, seabirds since 1988 Herbivore s: No lemming or native voles, only a very local introduced population of sibling vole (Microtus rossiae meridionali s), Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchu s) present year round, not migratory Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperbore a) is the only resident bird Geese (Branta leucopsis, Branta bernicla, Anser brachyrhynchu s) Predator s: arctic skua (Stercorarius parasiticu s) arctic fox (Vulpex lagopu s) Vegetatio n: mosaic of various types as middle to high arctic tundra 3), frequent thaw/freeze periods in winter ![]() Site responsibles : Ronny Aanes, Eva Fuglei and Harald Steen, Norwegian Polar InstituteĬlimate : Atlantic region (Fig. ![]() It is hypothesized that they might use sea ice to move over long distances across the Arctic.Īmong the many threats to Arctic foxes there is the northern encroachment of the bigger and more aggressive red fox due to climate change. It may be a considerable rival for the polar fox in his traditional Arctic habitat.Field site 1. Genetic studies indicate that there is significant contact between separate populations of polar foxes. In the summer and autumn, polar foxes store extra food under rocks in their den or even in holes dug into the permafrost. The extra food is used during the winter when the food is scarce.Īrctic foxes live on average 3-4 years (on Svalbard the longest recorded lifespan for the fox was 16 years old). Mating season takes place from February until April. In the winter, the den may be made inside a snowbank. Sometimes young non-breeding foxes (mainly females) might live in the same den, and help to raise the pups. Polar foxes live in large dens with more than one entrance, which might be in use for several years. The fur colour allows it to be camouflaged against predators ( polar bears, wolverines, golden eagles), but starvation during the winter is likely to be the main cause of mortality. In the summer, it has thinner brown, dark brown or yellow fur, and in winter, it is thick and white. The Arctic fox, ( Vulpes lagopus) also known as the “polar fox” lives in the Arctic tundra of Eurasia and North America, Iceland, Greenland, and Svalbard, as well as the islands off the north coasts of Siberia, and Canada. ![]()
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