Distribution and habitat selection of invasive mink (Neovison vison) in Norwegian riverine and coastal ecosystems
The purpose of this project is to improve our knowledge about the distribution and habitat selection of the invasive American mink (Neovison vison) in both riverine and coastal ecosystems in Norway. Introduced in Europe in the 1920’s, mink is currently listed as the top ranked invasive mammal with largest threat to native biodiversity in Norway, as it causes vast damage to various ecological communities (including fish, small mammals, and birds) and has very fast colonization potential.
Within the project ‘Seatrout in Steinkjer‘ (www.facebook.com/groups/315783485770364/), we use various methods to study mink (i.e. a seatrout predator) distribution and ecology in our study area in Steinkjer (Trøndelag); i.e. camera trapping, collecting sign data, fecal analysis, and lethal trapping. Despite the value of these methods, they provide little knowledge about detailed space use of mink across the landscape and over time. Hence, we intend to start with VHF-tagging individual mink in our current study area and the neighbouring Borgenfjord area. Live trapping and handling mink, and fitting a glue-on VHF transmitter on them is the part of the project that is expected to cause some lasting discomfort and/or pain, and, as such, requires authorization as this fall under the definition of an animal experiment.
High resolution VHF data will provide detailed information about the space use of mink across the landscape and over time, and will undoubtedly contribute to more adaptive and efficient mink management (i.e. trapping and hunting effort). This, in turn, will benefit Norwegian nature and biodiversity, and help to achieve several of the goals set by the EU Water Framework Directive and the Norwegian Water Regulation (Vannforskriften). Improved mink management will also benefit several mink targeted prey species with large societal value such as the anadromous seatrout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (S. salar).
We intend to live capture and fit 12-20 mink with glued-on VHF-units over a period of two years starting from spring/early summer 2021. For this purpose, the ‘3Rs’ (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) have been addressed: The use of camera traps, sign data and other field observations is not sufficient for providing the data needed to produce accurate and fine scaled spatially explicit predictive maps of mink habitat selection; we consider 12 marked individuals as the absolute minimum for making statistical interference stratified over sex and time (3 seasons); and, for refinement, other tracking and mounting methods have been considered, and discarded, such as use of GPS or pit tagging, and implantation or use of collars.
Within the project ‘Seatrout in Steinkjer‘ (www.facebook.com/groups/315783485770364/), we use various methods to study mink (i.e. a seatrout predator) distribution and ecology in our study area in Steinkjer (Trøndelag); i.e. camera trapping, collecting sign data, fecal analysis, and lethal trapping. Despite the value of these methods, they provide little knowledge about detailed space use of mink across the landscape and over time. Hence, we intend to start with VHF-tagging individual mink in our current study area and the neighbouring Borgenfjord area. Live trapping and handling mink, and fitting a glue-on VHF transmitter on them is the part of the project that is expected to cause some lasting discomfort and/or pain, and, as such, requires authorization as this fall under the definition of an animal experiment.
High resolution VHF data will provide detailed information about the space use of mink across the landscape and over time, and will undoubtedly contribute to more adaptive and efficient mink management (i.e. trapping and hunting effort). This, in turn, will benefit Norwegian nature and biodiversity, and help to achieve several of the goals set by the EU Water Framework Directive and the Norwegian Water Regulation (Vannforskriften). Improved mink management will also benefit several mink targeted prey species with large societal value such as the anadromous seatrout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (S. salar).
We intend to live capture and fit 12-20 mink with glued-on VHF-units over a period of two years starting from spring/early summer 2021. For this purpose, the ‘3Rs’ (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) have been addressed: The use of camera traps, sign data and other field observations is not sufficient for providing the data needed to produce accurate and fine scaled spatially explicit predictive maps of mink habitat selection; we consider 12 marked individuals as the absolute minimum for making statistical interference stratified over sex and time (3 seasons); and, for refinement, other tracking and mounting methods have been considered, and discarded, such as use of GPS or pit tagging, and implantation or use of collars.