Simen Pedersen

• Stokes, Allan William; Hofmeester, Tim R.; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Odden, John; Linnell, John Durrus & Pedersen, Simen (2023). Altitude, latitude and climate zone as determinants of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) coat colour change. Ecology and Evolution. ISSN 2045-7758. 13(10). doi: 10.1002/ece3.10548. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Neby, Magne; Andreassen, Harry Peter; Milleret, Cyril Pierre; Pedersen, Simen; Peris Tamayo, Ana-Maria & Sanchez, David Carricondo [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Small rodent monitoring at Birkebeiner Road, Norway. Biodiversity Data Journal. ISSN 1314-2836. 11. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.11.E105914. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Northern small mammal populations are renowned for their multi-annual population cycles. Population cycles are multi-faceted and have extensive impacts on the rest of the ecosystem. In 2011, we started a student-based research activity to monitor the variation of small rodent density along an elevation gradient following the Birkebeiner Road, in southeast Norway. Fieldwork was conducted by staff and students at the University campus Evenstad, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, which has a long history of researching cyclic population dynamics. The faculty has a strong focus on engaging students in all parts of the research activities, including data collection. Small rodents were monitored using a set of snap trap stations. Trapped animals were measured (e.g. body mass, body length, sex) and dissected to assess their reproductive status. We also characterised the vegetation at trapping sites.

• Pedersen, Simen & Pedersen, Hans Christian (2021). Exploitative Competition between Mountain Hare and Moose—Qualitative Effects on Hare Winter Forage? Animals. ISSN 2076-2615. 11(9). doi: 10.3390/ani11092638. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in Scandinavia are classified as Near Threatened in the Norwegian and Swedish Redlists. This is due to a possible population decline witnessed during the last decades in Scandinavia. Competition between large herbivores and mountain hares is one of several hypotheses that has been put forward to explain this decline. In a cafeteria trial we investigate the effects of previous moose (Alces alces) winter browsing on the food selection (i.e., biomass consumed, bites per minute and bitediameter) of downy birch (Betula pubescens) and goat willow (Salix caprea) by captive mountain hares. We find that mountain hares do not differentiate among previous browsing levels of downy birch, but have larger bite diameters of goat willow earlier browsed by moose, compared to non-browsed plants. Thus, effects of moose on mountain hare winter food quality seem to be limited. We highlight the need for studies focusing on (1) qualitative effects of moose browsing using wild mountain hares in a natural experimental design, and (2) quantitative effects of moose browsing on available mountain hare forage at a landscape scale during winter

• Pedersen, Simen; Gangås, Kristin Evensen; Chetri, Madhu & Andreassen, Harry Peter (2020). Economic Gain vs. Ecological Pain—Environmental Sustainability in Economies Based on Renewable Biological Resources. Sustainability. ISSN 2071-1050. 12(9). doi: 10.3390/su12093557. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Pedersen, Simen; Angelstam, Per; Ferguson, Michael Arthur Darrell; Wabakken, Petter & Storaas, Torstein (2019). Impacts of wolves on rural economies from recreational small game hunting. European Journal of Wildlife Research. ISSN 1612-4642. 65(87). doi: 10.1007/s10344-019-1319-x. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Stutz, Rebecca S; Pedersen, Simen; Teräväinen, Malin; Kjellander, Petter; Leimar, Olof & Verschuur, Louisan [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Efficient application of a browsing repellent: Can associational effects within and between plants be exploited? European Journal of Forest Research. ISSN 1612-4669. 138(2), s. 253–262. doi: 10.1007/s10342-019-01166-6. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Angelstam, Per; Manton, Michael; Khaulyak, Olga; Naumov, Vladimir Vladimirovi; Pedersen, Simen & Stryamets, Natalie [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Knowledge production and learning for sustainable forest landscapes: The European continent's west and east as a laboratory. Lesnoy zhurnal. ISSN 0536-1036. s. 9–31. doi: 10.17238/issn0536-1036.2019.1.9.
• Angelstam, Per; Pedersen, Simen & Manton, Michael (2018). Macroecological Research in Boreal Forest Reveals the Effects of Moose on Economically and Ecologically Important Tree Species. Lesnoy zhurnal. ISSN 0536-1036. 364(4), s. 9–18. doi: 10.17238/issn0536-1036.2018.4.9.
• Angelstam, Per; Pedersen, Simen; Manton, Michael; Garrido, Pablo; Naumov, Vladimir & Elbakidze, Marine (2017). Green infrastructure maintenance is more than land cover: Large herbivores limit recruitment of key-stone tree species in Sweden. Landscape and Urban Planning. ISSN 0169-2046. 167, s. 368–377. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.07.019.
• Pedersen, Simen; Odden, Morten & Pedersen, Hans-Christian (2017). Climate change induced molting mismatch? Mountain hare abundance reduced by duration of snowcover and predator abundance. Ecosphere. ISSN 2150-8925. 8(3). doi: 10.1002/ecs2.1722. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Angelstam, Per; Manton, Michael; Pedersen, Simen & Elbakidze, Marine (2017). Disrupted trophic interactions affect recruitment of boreal deciduous and coniferous trees in northern Europe. Ecological Applications. ISSN 1051-0761. 27(4), s. 1108–1123. doi: 10.1002/eap.1506. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Crowther, Mathew S; Ortac, Geetha; Pedersen, Simen & McArthur, Clare (2016). Interactions between fire and introduced deer herbivory on coastal heath vegetation. Austral ecology (Print). ISSN 1442-9985. 41(6), s. 604–612. doi: 10.1111/aec.12349.
• Mathisen, Karen Marie & Pedersen, Simen (2014). Hvordan elgens aktiviteter rundt fôringsplasser påvirker vegetasjon, småfugler og mus. I Storaas, Torstein & Langdal, Kjell (Red.), Ikkje berre ulv og bly - glimt frå forskninga på Evenstad. Oplandske Bokforlag. ISSN 978-82-7518-223-2. s. 129–144. Vis sammendrag

  Vi har studert hvordan elgbeiting og fôringsplasser for elg påvirker vegetasjon, småfugler og mus i Stor-Elvdal i perioden 2004-2011. Det viser seg at fôringsplasser påvirker elgens fordeling i landskapet om vinteren og elgens beiting påvirker vegetasjonen, noe som igjen påvirker tilgang av mat og strukturen på leveområdet for andre dyr i skogen. Høy elgbeiting kan for eksempel føre til mindre tilgang på insektlarver for kjøttmeisunger. I tillegg fører fôringsplasser til lokale effekter gjennom gjødsling og endring av vegetasjonen på bakken. I denne artikkelen oppsummerer vi noen av resultatene med vekt på eksempler fra Stor-Elvdal.

• Pedersen, Simen; Mathisen, Karen Marie; Gorini, Lucrezia; Andreassen, Harry Peter; Røskaft, Eivin & Skarpe, Christina (2014). Small mammal responses to moose supplementary winter feeding. European Journal of Wildlife Research. ISSN 1612-4642. 60, s. 527–534. doi: 10.1007/s10344-014-0816-1.
• Pedersen, Simen; Andreassen, Harry Peter; Keith, David A; Skarpe, Christina; Dickman, Christopher R & Gordon, Iain J. [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2014). Relationships between native small mammals and native and introduced large herbivores. Austral ecology (Print). ISSN 1442-9985. 39(2), s. 236–243. doi: 10.1111/aec.12072. Vis sammendrag

  Australia has a range of native and introduced large herbivores that could affect the abundance of small mammals through direct and indirect effects. Here we study the relationship between occurrence of the introduced rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and the native swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), and the abundance of four species of native small mammals in coastal heath vegetation with varying fire history. The abundance of two species, the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii) and bush rat (Rattus fuscipes), was related to occurrence of large herbivores and was dependent also on fire history. Abundance of swamp rats (R. lutreolus) and New Holland mice (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) was not related to the occurrence of any of the large herbivores, and did not depend on fire history. At sites burned within the last nine years, captures of brown antechinus were negatively related to both deer and wallaby occurrence, and captures of bush rats were negatively related to deer occurrence. However, at sites that burned more than 15 years ago, captures of brown antechinus and bush rats were not related to large herbivore occurrence. Overall there was either no relationship, or a negative one, between small mammals and the large herbivores. This mensurative study has demonstrated relationships between deer and wallabies and small mammals, with fire as an additional important factor. From the results of the current study we put forward a series of hypotheses that need to be tested by future experiments.

• Angelstam, Per; Andersson, Kjell; Annerstedt, Matilda; Axelsson, Robert; Elbakidze, Marine & Garrido, Pablo [Vis alle 13 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2013). Solving Problems in Social–Ecological Systems: Definition, Practice and Barriers of Transdisciplinary Research. Ambio. ISSN 0044-7447. 42(2), s. 254–265. doi: 10.1007/s13280-012-0372-4. Vis sammendrag

  Translating policies about sustainable development as a social process and sustainability outcomes into the real world of social–ecological systems involves several challenges. Hence, research policies advocate improved innovative problem-solving capacity. One approach is transdisciplinary research that integrates research disciplines, as well as researchers and practitioners. Drawing upon 14 experiences of problem-solving, we used group modeling to map perceived barriers and bridges for researchers’ and practitioners’ joint knowledge production and learning towards transdisciplinary research. The analysis indicated that the transdisciplinary research process is influenced by (1) the amount of traditional disciplinary formal and informal control, (2) adaptation of project applications to fill the transdisciplinary research agenda, (3) stakeholder participation, and (4) functional team building/development based on self-reflection and experienced leadership. Focusing on implementation of green infrastructure policy as a common denominator for the delivery of ecosystem services and human well-being, we discuss how to diagnose social–ecological systems, and use knowledge production and collaborative learning as treatments.

• Mathisen, Karen Marie; Pedersen, Simen; Nilsen, Erlend Birkeland & Skarpe, Christina (2012). Contrasting responses of two passerine bird species to moose browsing. European Journal of Wildlife Research. ISSN 1612-4642. 58(3), s. 535–547. doi: 10.1007/s10344-011-0601-3.
• Pedersen, Simen; Andreassen, Harry Peter; Persson, Inga-Lill; Julkunen-Tiitto, Riitta; Danell, Kjell & Skarpe, Christina (2011). Vole preference of bilberry along gradients of simulated moose density and site productivity. Integrative Zoology. ISSN 1749-4869. 6(4), s. 341–351. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2011.00260.x. Vis sammendrag

  Browsing by large herbivores might either increase or decrease preference for the plant by other herbivores, depending on the plant response. Using a cafeteria test, we studied the preference by root voles (Microtus oeconomus) for bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) previously subjected to four levels of simulated moose (Alces alces) density. The different levels of moose density were simulated at population densities relevant for Fennoscandian conditions, in exclosures situated along a site productivity gradient. We expected: 1) voles to prefer bilberry from high productivity sites over low productivity sites, and 2) to prefer browsed bilberry if plants allocate resources to compensatory growth or avoid browsed bilberry if plants allocate resources to defense, 3) for these effects to increase with increasing simulated moose density and 4) concentration of plant chemicals and the plant morphology to explain vole preference. Specifically, we predicted that voles would prefer: 1) plants with high nitrogen content, 2) plants with low content of defensive substances and 3) tall plants with long shoots. Voles preferred bilberry from the high productivity sites compared to the low productivity sites. We also found an interaction between site productivity and simulated moose density, where voles preferred unbrowsed plants at low productivity sites and intermediate levels of browsing at high productivity sites. There was no effect of plant chemistry or morphology on vole preference. We conclude that moose browsing impacts food preference of voles. With the current high densities of moose in Fennoscandia, this could potentially influence vole food selection and population dynamics over large geographical areas.

• Nilsen, Erlend Birkeland; Pedersen, Simen & Linnell, John D.C. (2008). Can minimum convex polygon home ranges be used to draw biologically meaningful conclusions? Ecological Research. ISSN 0912-3814. 23(3), s. 635–639. doi: 10.1007/s11284-007-0421-9. Vis sammendrag

  Many conclusions about mammalian ranging behaviour have been drawn based on minimum convex polygon (MCP) estimates of home range size, although several studies have revealed its unpredictable nature compared to that of the kernel density estimator. We investigated to what extent the choice of home range estimator affected the biological interpretation in comparative studies. We found no discrepancy when the question asked covered a wide range of taxa, as real and very large differences in range size were likely to have masked smaller differences due to the choice of home range estimator. However, when the question asked concerned within-species characteristics, the choice of home range estimator explained as much of the variation in range size as did the ecological variable in question. The implications for macro-ecological and intraspecific studies are discussed.

• Pedersen, Simen; Nilsen, Erlend Birkeland & Andreassen, Harry P. (2007). Moose winter browsing affects the breeding success of great tits. Écoscience. ISSN 1195-6860. 14(4), s. 499–506. Vis sammendrag

  In many areas ungulates, may have a large impact on the landscape due to their large body size and wide distribution. Moose (Alces alces) winter-feeding has been carried out for a decade in parts of Hedmark County, SE Norway. Previous studies have documented a gradual decline in the browsing pressure away from the feeding stations. We utilised this gradient to study the indirect effects of moose browsing on a passerine bird, the great tit (Parus major). The downy birch (Betula pubescens) trees surrounding the feeding stations are subject to an intense browsing pressure gradually decreasing outwards. We put up nest boxes at feeding stations (i.e. sites of intense browsing pressure), with nearby controls with low visible browsing. The number of tall birch trees and the birch canopy cover was lower in browsed compared to control plots. Due to the reduced birch canopy cover, the total amount of arthropods available around the nest boxes was lower in browsed compared to control plots. Great tit breeding pairs produced 1.3 fewer fledglings in browsed compared to control plots. We suggest this difference to be caused by lack of food in the browsed plots. Hence moose browsing may reduce the breeding success of great tits through a series of knock-on effects, through two other components of the boreal forest community.

• Pedersen, Simen & Lierhagen, S (2006). Heavy metal accumulation in arctic hares (Lepus arcticus) in Nunavut, Canada. Science of the Total Environment. ISSN 0048-9697. 368.

Se alle arbeider i Cristin

• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Harde bud for skogsharen. [TV]. www.nrk.no.
• Pedersen, Simen & Stokes, Allan William (2024). Ser du hva som er feil med dette bildet? Skogsharen får ikke gjennomført draktbytte i tide, og er utsatt for å bli tatt av rovdyr. [Internett]. www.nrk.no.
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Helene harefrøken, Morran i Innlandet. [Radio]. NRK Innlandet.
• Pedersen, Simen & Stokes, Allan William (2024). Haren sliter med fargen når klimaet endrer seg. [Internett]. www.inn.no.
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Hares in a changing climate.
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Harer - effekter av jakt og klima.
• Pedersen, Simen (2023). Hareforskning i Norge – i det «harens» år 2023. I Een de Amoriza, Silje (Red.), Trygve Gotaas' fond : viltforvaltning i 50 år. Trygve Gotaas' fond. ISSN 9788271294472. s. 93–101.
• Pedersen, Simen (2023). Hares in a changing climate.
• Talleraas, Simen Moflag; Midjaas, Tov; Zimmermann, Barbara; Mathisen, Karen Marie; Kalén, Christer & Pedersen, Simen (2023). Elg i et skiftende klima - hvordan påvirker snødekke elgens beitevalg om vinteren. Hjorteviltet. ISSN 1502-3729. s. 84–86.
• Pedersen, Simen (2023). Chillin' Out - 5 ways mountain hares thrive in their habitat . [Tidsskrift]. National Geographic Kids.
• Pedersen, Simen; Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej; Stawski, Clare Yvonne & Pedersen, Hans Christian (2022). Stressed as a hare? Non-lethal impacts of hunting on mountain hares.
• Stokes, Allan; Hofmeester, Tim R.; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Odden, John; Odden, Morten & Linnell, John Durrus [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). The timing of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) coat colour change is determined by elevation, latitude and local climate.
• Talleraas, Simen Moflag; Kalén, Crister; Zimmermann, Barbara; Franklin, Oskar; Evans, Alina & Eriksen, Ane [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). How does bilberry affect the availability and use of bilberry forage for moose?
• Stokes, Allan; Hofmeester, Tim R.; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Odden, John; Odden, Morten & Linnell, John Durrus [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). The timing of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) coat colour change in Norway is determined by elevation and latitude.
• Pedersen, Simen; Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej; Stawski, Clare Yvonne & Pedersen, Hans Christian (2022). Stressed as a hare? Non-lethal impacts of hunting on mountain hares (Ongoing study).
• Pedersen, Simen; Svendsen, Webjørn; Pedersen, Hans Christian & Rehnus, Maik (2021). Blir haren stresset av å jages av hund? Harehunden. s. 14–15.
• Pedersen, Simen; Gangås, Kristin Evensen; Chetri, Madhu; Jahren, Torfinn & Andreassen, Harry Peter (2020). Økonomisk vinning og økologisk tap - Økologisk bærekraft i næringer basert på fornybare biologiske resurser. I Strømme, Christian Bianchi (Red.), SKOGEN SOM RESURS I EN GRÄNSREGION. Karlstads universitet. ISSN 978-91-7867-122-9. s. 11–17.
• Pedersen, Simen (2018). Etablerte ulverevir fjernet halve inntektsgrunnlaget fra småviltjakt for grunneierne. Skog. ISSN 1892-9990. s. 58–59.
• Pedersen, Simen (2018). Grunneierne har mistet halvparten av inntektene etter at ulven kom. [Avis]. Østlendingen.
• Angelstam, Per; Pedersen, Simen; Manton, Michael & Elbakidze, Marine (2017). Towards Integrated management of wildlife, landscape and people. Fakta Skog. ISSN 1400-7789.
• Pedersen, Simen; Østbye, Kjartan; Præbel, Kim & Bakmann, Ole (2017). Use of DNA technology to define moose populations for management.
• Østbye, Kjartan; Præbel, Kim; Pedersen, Simen & Bakmann, Ole (2017). Genetiske metoder bør brukes i vår fremtidige forvaltning av viltarter i Norge. Hjorteviltet. ISSN 1502-3729. s. 34–37.
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Droner og varmesøkende kamera. [Tidsskrift]. Jakt og Fiske.
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Droner og varmesøkende kamera. [Internett]. www.nfff.no.
• Pedersen, Simen & Vogler, Thomas (2017). Forsøk i Nærøy skal finne løsninger mot rådyrdød i slottonna. [Avis]. Namdalsavisa.
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Hvor blir det av haren? Går harebestanden nedover slik rødlista viser?
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Kan vi forvalte harebestandene?
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Kraftig reduksjon i harejakta. [Avis]. Nationen.
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Harebestanden i stor fare? Østlendingen.
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Hare og rype takler ikke klimaet. [Avis]. Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen.
• Pedersen, Simen; Odden, Morten & Pedersen, Hans-Christian (2016). Kortere snøvintre - økt predasjon på hare. Jakt og fiske. ISSN 0800-3041. s. 56–57.
• Storaas, Torstein; Mathisen, Karen Marie & Pedersen, Simen (2016). Grenselaus viltforvaltning. Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen.
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Harer og klima. [Radio]. Jaktradioen.
• Odden, Morten & Pedersen, Simen (2016). Analyse av snøsporingsdata. Jakt og Fiske i Hedmark. ISSN 1891-1471.
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Use of DNA technology to define moose populations for management – ongoing project.
• Pedersen, Simen; Odden, Morten & Pedersen, Hans-Christian (2016). Climate change induced molting mismatch? Mountain hare abundance reduced by duration of snow cover and generalist predator abundance.
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Økt verdiskapning i beitebelastet furuskog.
• Pedersen, Simen; Østbye, Kjartan; Præbel, Kim; Bakmann, Ole; Linløkken, Arne & Mathisen, Karen Marie [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2016). Bruk av DNA teknologi for å definere elgpopulasjoner.
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Resultater og veien videre – samarbeidet ERMG og HiHm.
• Pedersen, Simen; Østbye, Kjartan; Præbel, Kim; Bakmann, Ole; Linløkken, Arne & Mathisen, Karen Marie [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2016). Bruk av DNA teknologi for å definere elgpopulasjoner.
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Faktagrunnlag til retningslinjer for hjorteviltforvaltning i Stor-Elvdal.
• Pedersen, Simen & Bakmann, Ole (2016). Kombinerer ungskogpleie og elgmatproduksjon. Skog. ISSN 1892-9990. s. 52–53.
• Sundin, Per S & Pedersen, Simen (2015). Study tours. I Lidestav, Gunn; Svensson, Johan & Hedblom, Marcus (Red.), Innovative tools to support cooperation among stakeholders in Baltic Landscapes - a Handbook. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. ISSN 978-91-576-9360-0. s. 60–62.
• Pedersen, Simen & Bakmann, Ole (2015). Inngjerding mot elg - er det lønnsomt? Skog. ISSN 1892-9990. s. 54–56.
• Pedersen, Simen; Bakmann, Ole; Grindstad, Jo Petter & Fischer, Johan (2015). Bedre forvaltning av skog og elg. Skog. ISSN 1892-9990. s. 60–62.
• Pedersen, Simen; Bakmann, Ole; Grindstad, Jo Petter & Fischer, Johan (2015). Skog og elg- mot en optimal forvaltning av skogarealene. Hjorteviltet. ISSN 1502-3729. s. 54–56.
• Pedersen, Simen (2013). Hareforsker redd hare. [Internett]. NJFF.
• Pedersen, Simen (2013). Denne karen er dårlig nytt for den norske haren. [Internett]. NRK.
• Pedersen, Simen (2013). Sørhare i Østfold. [Radio]. NRK.
• Pedersen, Simen (2013). Hvor hopper haren?
• Pedersen, Simen (2012). Conservation in Norway vs. Tanzania.
• Mathisen, Karen Marie; Skarpe, Christina; Pedersen, Simen & Nilsen, Erlend Birkeland (2012). Effects of moose (Alces alces) management on diversity and reproduction of passerine birds. Vis sammendrag

  Moose (Alces alces) may modify the ecosystem through browsing, tramping, urination and defecation. These activities affect habitat quality and resource availability for other fauna. The increase in moose abundance in Scandinavia the recent decades may therefore lead to ecosystem changes, affecting distribution and reproduction of other species. Several studies have shown that deer browsing may change the habitat structure and affect nesting sites for passerine birds, especially those species dependent on understorey vegetation, but the effects of moose on birds is little investigated. In a study in south-eastern Norway, we investigated how different levels of moose winter activity around supplementary feeding stations for moose affect reproduction in two insectivorous passerines: great tits (Parus major) and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). We also surveyed bird species richness of songbirds in the same area. Different bird species showed contrasting responses to high moose activity. Great tits avoided habitats with high moose activity, and produced less fledgings at high moose activity than low moose activity habitats. They also showed lower feeding frequency at the nest box at high moose activity than at low moose activity habitats. Flycatchers nested more often at high moose activity habitats, where they produced heavier fledgings and showed higher feeding frequency than at low moose activity habitats. Bird species richness, abundance of insectivorous bird and birds nesting below browsing height showed a negative correlation with moose browsing on birch. However, supplementary feeding stations showed positive effects on bird species richness and abundance. We suggest that moose may affect passerine bird species through changed arthropod food availability and changed availability of nesting sites.

• Pedersen, Simen (2012). Elgbeiting påvirker smaklighet av blåbær for markmus. [Radio]. NRK P1.
• Pedersen, Simen (2011). Elgbeiting påvirker kvaliteten på musematen. Hjorteviltet. ISSN 1502-3729. s. 76–79.
• Mathisen, Karen Marie; Pedersen, Simen; Nilsen, Erlend Birkeland & Skarpe, Christina (2010). Contrasting responses of two passerine bird species to high moose densities. Vis sammendrag

  Scandinavia has one of the highest moose (Alces alces) densities in the world, and high densities of a large herbivore such as the moose, are expected to affect ecosystem processes and species distribution in boreal forest. Moose browsing may have indirect effects on other species, through effects on habitat structure and food availability. We have investigated how a gradient of moose density around supplementary winter feeding stations for moose affects reproduction and nest site choice in two passerine bird species that are insectivorous during the breeding season; great tits (Parus major) and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). The two species showed contrasting responses to high moose density; great tits preferred to nest and had higher reproductive success at low moose densities, while flycatchers preferred to nest and had higher reproductive success at high moose densities. The response also showed a change over five years in nest box choice, which might be caused by accumulative effects of moose browsing in the vicinity of feeding stations over time. This study indicates that indirect effects of moose browsing, through vegetation responses and invertebrate abundance, may have cascading effects on different trophic levels in the boreal forest ecosystem.

• Pedersen, Simen; Andreassen, Harry Peter; Danell, Kjell; Gorini, Lucrezia; Mathisen, Karen Marie & Persson, Inga-Lill [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2010). Indirect effects of varying moose densities on vole food choice, reproduction and abundance. Vis sammendrag

  Moose (Alces alces) may have a large impact on the ecosystem, especially where they are widespread at high densities. These high densities are mainly caused by changes in forestry and moose management practices, and may cause indirect effects on other trophic levels or feeding guilds. First, we investigated vole preference of bilberry along gradients of simulated moose density and plant productivity. Moose browsing might either increase or decrease preference for the plant by other herbivores, depending on the plant response. Using a cafeteria test we studied the preference by root voles (Microtus oeconomus) for bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) previously subject to four levels of browsing by moose. We found the voles to prefer bilberry from the high productivity sites compared to the low productivity sites. We also found an interaction between site productivity and moose density, where voles preferred unbrowsed plants at low productivity sites and intermediate levels of browsing at high productivity sites. We could however not explain vole preference by plant chemistry or morphology. Second, we are currently investigating how moose feeding stations affects species composition and reproduction of voles. Moose feeding stations and moose browsing drastically alters the habitat. Microtus spp. are associated with grass vegetation, while bank voles (Myodes glareoleus) are associated with dwarfshrubs. Changes in the vegetation composition caused by moose feeding stations could therefore potentially have an effect both on which vole species that occupy the area, and also their reproduction. We conduct livetrapping and snap trapping (to determine reproduction) at three distances from feeding stations. In 2008 Microtus spp. were only captured at feeding stations, while bank voles were captured at all distances from feeding stations with the highest numbers found at intermediate distances. There was also a trend of female reproductive output increasing with distance to feeding stations for bank voles.

• Gorini, Lucrezia; Pedersen, Simen; Mathisen, Karen Marie; Odden, Morten; Nilsen, Erlend Birkeland & Panzacchi, M [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2010). The effect of forestry and moose management on the small rodents community in Norway. Vis sammendrag

  Intensified forestry in Norway has been linked to the observed decline and changes in the small rodents community which is regarded as the heart of boreal ecosystems. Moose density, on the other hand, has increased following the spread of young even-aged stands and local winter feeding. We trapped rodents in a harvested forest and at moose feeding stations to investigate potential indirect effects between different trophic levels. Preliminary results suggest the existence of a link between the composition of the rodents community, forestry and moose management which may have further consequences on the overall biodiversity.

• Pedersen, Simen; Skarpe, Christina; Persson, Inga-Lill & Andreassen, Harry P. (2009). Vole preference of Vaccinium myrtillus and Deschampsia flexuosa along a gradient of simulated moose herbivory. Vis sammendrag

  Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and wavy hair grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) are seasonally important food plants for both moose (Alces alces) and voles. Moose are found in high densities in large parts of Scandinavia, and could therefore potentially alter the food source of voles over large areas. We investigated the effects of simulated moose herbivory on the feeding preference pattern of root voles (Microtus oeconomus), along a plant productivity gradient. Moose browsing seemed to induce a negative feeding response in bilberry at low productivity while a positive response at high productivity. However we found no effect of moose browsing on vole preference for wavy hair grass.

• Pedersen, Simen (2008). Elgbeite påvirker hekkesuksess til kjøttmeis.
• Pedersen, Simen (2007). Moose winter browsing affects the breeding success of great tits.
• Pedersen, Simen (2007). Moose in the presence and absence of wolves ? effects of predation on the Koppangskjølen moose population.
• Kjønsberg, Marius; Pedersen, Simen; Vogler, Thomas & Johnsen, Kaja (2022). Kurs for taksering av hønsefugl. Linjetaksering med hund – Distance sampling. Høgskolen i Innlandet Evenstad. ISSN 978-82-8380-316-7. 2022(3).
• Pedersen, Simen; Angelstam, Per; Ferguson, Michael Arthur Darrell; Wabakken, Petter & Storaas, Torstein (2018). Ulv og utmarksressurser - Økonomiske konsekvenser av ulv på inntekter fra småviltjakt. Høgskolen i Innlandet. ISSN 978-82-8380-035-7.
• Kjønsberg, Marius; Bakmann, Ole & Pedersen, Simen (2016). Driftsplan for småvilt i Spekedalen/Sølendalen. Høgskolen i Hedmark. ISSN 978-82-7671-974-1. 2016(2).
• Pedersen, Simen (2014). Skjøtselsplan for Østeraasvolden. Høgskolen i Hedmark.
• Pedersen, Simen & Pedersen, Hans-Christian (2012). Bestandssituasjonen for hare i Norge - en kunnskapstatus. Norsk institutt for naturforskning. ISSN 978-82-426-2484-0. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Haren (Lepus timidus) har stor utbredelse og spiller en viktig rolle i mange naturtyper, spesielt som byttedyr for mange rovpattedyr og rovfugler. Vår kunnskap om harens økologi, bestands-dynamikk og bestandssituasjon er imidlertid fragmentarisk. Etter en periode med høye avsky-tingstall for hare i Norge på 1980-tallet har vi sett en kraftig nedgang i antall harer skutt per jaktsesong fra toppåret i 1990 (ca. 125 000) til i dag (ca. 20 000). Imidlertid har mange påpekt at jaktstatistikk i seg selv ikke gir noe fullgodt bilde av bestandssituasjonen. I denne rapporten vil vi belyse bestandssituasjonen for hare i Norge primært gjennom å vurdere jaktstatistikkens troverdighet. I diskusjonen om nedgangen i antall skutte harer reflekterer en bestandsnedgang trekkes ofte følgende forhold inn: 1) Antall klassiske harejegere med hund er redusert fordi harejakt ikke er like populært som tidligere. 2) Antall småviltjegere som går på jakt er sterkt redusert. 3) Småviltjegere er ikke lenger interessert i å skyte hare. 4) Tradisjonell harejakt med hund har blitt redusert i områder hvor det har vært reetablering av ulv. En vurdering av data på andel jegere som skyter hare, utvikling av antall småviltjegere, andel harer som blir skutt i ulvefylker, og korrelasjonen mellom en haresporindeks fra gaupelinjetak-seringer og jaktstatistikk i Hedmark fylke indikerer at jaktstatistikken gjenspeiler en faktisk ned-gang i harebestanden. Nedgangen er altså i liten grad forårsaket av forvaltningsmessige avgjørelser eller endringer i jegerstanden eller jegeratferd. Den observerte nedgangen i harebestanden i Norge må skyldes endringer i driverne (påvirk-ningsfaktorene) bak bestandsutviklingen, enten ved at nye drivere har kommet inn, eller at de allerede eksisterende driverne har endret karakter og fått en større betydning enn tidligere. Det er også rimelig å anta at flere ulike drivere har forårsaket bestandsendringene. Det er derfor viktig å undersøke hvilke drivere som påvirker hvilke demografiske parametere. For eksempel er det viktig å avklare hva som påvirker fruktbarhet, ungeoverlevelse og voksenoverlevelse, og hvordan og hvorfor dette er endret i forhold til tidligere. Basert på dagens kunnskap om bestanden, vurderes følgende potensielle faktorer som eventuelt kan forårsake endringer i harebestanden: 1) Klimaendring. 2) Effekter av jakt. 3) Predasjon og parasitter. 4) Konkurranse med andre planteetere, primært hjortevilt. 5) Næringstilgang og habitatendringer. På bakgrunn av denne gjennomgangen er det tre drivere som peker seg ut som viktige å skaffe mer kunnskap om; klimaendring, predasjon og konkurranse fra hjortevilt. Det er overveiende sannsynlig at nedgangen i avskyting av hare skyldes en reell bestands-nedgang. Likevel er det flere aspekter av harens bestandsutvikling som er dårlig belyst og da-tagrunnlaget er relativt svakt. Det er derfor viktig 1) å øke kunnskapsgrunnlaget og vår forstå-else av harens bestandsstatus og 2) å belyse hvilke faktorer som har størst effekt på be-standsutviklingen til haren. Gjennom å kombinere bestandsovervåking med individbaserte studier vil man kunne avdekke viktige drivere og hvordan disse påvirker harens bestandsdynamikk. Dette vil være kunnskap som er viktig for forvaltningen av hare ikke bare i Norge, men generelt hvor forskjellige arter av hare er på vikende front.

• Nilsen, Erlend Birkeland; Pedersen, Simen; Brøseth, Henrik & Pedersen, Hans-Christian (2012). Fjellryper - En kunnskapsoversikt. Norsk institutt for naturforskning. ISSN 978-82-426-2464-2. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Fjellrype (Lagopus muta) er en karakterart i høyfjellet, og er den eneste herbivore fuglearten som bor i høyfjellet gjennom hele året. Vi har i denne rapporten gått gjennom og sammenstilt sentrale deler av den forskningsbaserte litteraturen som omhandler fjellrypas økologi og bestandsstatus. Fjellrypa har en vid sirkumpolar utbredelse, men innenfor det meste av utbredelsesområdet er det relativt lite kunnskap om bestanden. Likevel tyder datagrunnlaget på at bestandsutviklingen har vært negativ i flere områder. I Norge er den eneste tilgjengelige informasjonen basert på jaktstatistikk, og denne antyder en relativt sterk tilbakegang etter årtusenskiftet. Hvorvidt denne nedgangen i avskytingsstatistikken er en indikasjon på en like sterk bestandsnedgang er ukjent. På verdensbasis er fjellrypa relativt lite studert sammenliknet med de fleste andre arter av skogshøns (tetraonider). Likevel finnes det fra ulike deler av artens utbredelsesområde studier som har fokusert på habitatvalg, demografi og bestandsdynamikk. Fra fastlandet i Skandinavia har det så langt ikke blitt gjennomført større forskningsprosjekter som har fokusert på fjellrypas biologi eller bestandsdynamikk. På grunnlag av den sammenstilling av vitenskapelig litteratur som her er foretatt framkommer tre sentrale områder hvor det er behov for å øke kunnskapen om fjellrypa innenfor den nordeuropeiske delen av utbredelsesområdet. For det første er det et klart behov for å skaffe til veie en bedre forståelse av fjellrypas bestandsstatus. For det andre vil en kartlegging av habitatbruken være sentralt for å bedre kunne forutsi hvordan fjellrypa vil respondere på klimaendringer. For det tredje er det behov for detaljerte studier av fjellrypas demografi og hvilke miljøfaktorer som påvirker denne.

• Pedersen, Simen; Røskaft, Eivin; Skarpe, Christina & Andreassen, Harry Peter (2011). Effects of native and introduced cervids on small mammals and birds. NTNU. ISSN 978-82-471-3241-8. Vis sammendrag

  Cervids are a widespread family of ungulates, native to the Americas, Europe and Asia and introduced to Australia. Densities of cervids have increased in North America, Europe and Japan during the last couple of decades, due to changes in land use, reduced hunting, lack of large carnivores and changes in management practices. Where they occur at high densities, native and introduced cervids may have profound effects on vegetation, causing knock-on effects on other taxa. Cervids are in some instances managed towards changing the local distribution through supplemental feeding. These supplemental feeding stations are causing localized areas of high cervid abundance in the landscape, and may have effects on plants and animal species. In this thesis I investigate how high cervid densities and the practice of supplemental feeding impact birds and small mammals through effects on; 1) food resources, and 2) habitat structure. Utilizing a simulated moose (Alces alces) browsing experiment, I tested how varying moose densities and varying site productivity affects vole preference for bilberry. I found that voles preferred unbrowsed bilberry at low productivity sites, while they preferred lightly browsed bilberry at high productivity sites, I was however unable to explain the preference pattern with the chemical composition of the bilberry. However, moose do impact vole food preferences and this could, depending on the productivity of the site, potentially affect food selection and population dynamics over large geographical areas. Moose browsing pressure and nutrient input gradually decline with distance from supplemental winter feeding stations. I utilized this gradient to test how moose activity affects reproduction in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) and great tits (Parus major). The two species showed contrasting responses to moose feeding stations, great tits preferred to nest away from feeding stations where they showed higher feeding frequency and also produced more fledglings compared to close to feeding stations. Pied flycatchers on the other hand preferred to nest close to feeding stations where they had higher feeding frequency and fledgling mass was higher compared to further away. Hence, for both species moose browsing is affecting food availability that subsequently affects reproductive performance. Moose supplemental feeding stations also changed the habitat for small mammals from dwarf shrub dominated to grass and forb dominated. This did not have any effect on reproductive performance of the small mammals, but it did affect species composition along a gradient from the feeding stations. There was higher abundance of Microtus spp. and common shrews (Sorex araneus) close to feeding stations, while bank voles (Myodes glareoleus) had higher abundance away from feeding stations, the latter however was not statistically significant. Small mammals in Australian coastal heath were generally negatively associated with introduced rusa deer (Cervus timorensis), however one species responded positively to historical densities of rusa deer. It was however not possible to confirm these effects as being due to changes in habitat structure for the small mammals. However they may be explained by qualitative changes in the vegetation or alternatively by direct effects of deer through trampling or predation. Cervids and their management have an impact on other fauna, however the effects vary depending on small mammal and bird species. The effects of cervids also depend on the habitat requirements and foraging preferences of the small mammals and birds. Effects may be mediated through both food resources and habitat structure and are dependent on site productivity and cervid density.

• Storaas, Torstein; Pedersen, Simen; Pedersen, Simen; Andreassen, Harry P.; Arnemo, Jon Martin & Dötterer, Michael [Vis alle 22 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2008). Effekter av ulv på elgbestanden : da ulven kom og forsvant fra Koppangkjølen Effects of wolves on moose : when the wolf came and went from Koppangkjølen. Høgskolen i Hedmark. ISSN 9788276716474. Vis sammendrag

  Fra 1997 til 2005 hevdet ulv revir på Koppangkjølen i Stor-Elvdal og Rendalen kommuner, Hedmark Fylke. Vi fulgte elgbestanden i området gjennom SETT ELG, takseringer fra helikopter og ved hjelp av radiomerkede elger. Vi har SETT ELG-data fra alle årene og gode data fra helikoptertakseringer og radiomerkede elger særlig fra 1999¿2001. Særlig mot slutten ble datainnsamlingen begrenset av prosjektøkonomien. Ulvenes antall og revirgrenser ble hver vinter kartlagt ved sporing på snø, og i 2004 ble tilleggsinformasjon innsamlet ved GPS-merking av både den revirhevdende tispa og hannen. Vi har beregnet det økonomiske tapet for jaktrettshaverne ved ulvens uttak av elg og analysert utviklingen av både reelle og potensielle inntekter fra småviltjakt og hytteutleie i ulvereviret. Basert på ulike deler av innsamlet datamateriale har vi produsert studentoppgaver på bachelor-, master- og ph.d.-nivå, i tillegg til diverse populærartikler og vitenskapelig publiserte arbeider. Her presenterer vi de viktigste resultatene fra de forskjellige arbeidene for å gi en samlet oversikt over hva vi lærte fra perioden med ulv på Koppangkjølen. During 1997 to 2005 a wolf territory was situated at Koppangkjølen in Stor-Elvdal and Rendalen municipalities, Hedmark County. We monitored the moose population in the area using a hunters¿ observation index called OBSERVED MOOSE, helicopter surveys, and by radiomarking moose. We have OBSERVED MOOSE data from all the years and good helicopter survey data and information from radiomarked moose, especially from 1999¿2001. Data collection was restricted in the later years by the project budget.The wolf pack numbers and territory boundaries were monitored each winter by snow tracking. In 2004 we got additional data by radiomarking both the female and male wolf territory holders. We estimated the landowner¿s economic loss by wolves killing moose and analyzed the development of the income from small game hunting and cabin renting within the wolf territory. Based on different parts of the data collected, our project has produced Bachelor-, Master-, and Ph.D.-theses, in addition to several popular articles and scientific papers. Herein we present the main results from our work and summarize the most important findings from the period with wolves at Koppangkjølen.

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