NATF230 Wildlife Biology and Management

The course starts with excursions where we census the population of woodland grouse species in two different areas. This provides the data for one of two student reports. The second student report is on the topic of practical moose management at the municipal level. The lectures start with an introduction in some basic topics within biology such as evolution and genetics, animal behaviour and population dynamics, before continuing with the ecology, population status and distribution of key wildlife species in Norway. The lectures commence with a selection of management topics, such as management of the invasive wild boar, harvested deer species and the controversial management of our four large predators. We do also cover topics such as wildlife diseases, effects of human infrastructure and disturbance and how to combine forestry and wildlife management.