NATF230 Wildlife Biology and Management

The main goal of the course is to provide an introduction to the most important topics in Norwegian and Nordic wildlife management, as well as the ecology of key species and species groups. The course also includes two semester assignments: the first one gives students training in data analysis and interpretation of ecological data ("the forest grouse assignment"), while the second involves assessments related to practical moose management, structured as a report to the municipality ("the moose assignment"). The course begins as it has for the past 50 years, with field excursions where we survey forest grouse species in two different areas before the hunting season starts (which is on September 10). This survey forms the data basis for the forest grouse assignment. The lecture series starts with an introduction to what wildlife management is, followed by key topics such as the ecology and management of grouse, deer species, and large carnivores. Current issues are also addressed, including updates on chronic wasting disease (CWD) and the quality norm work for wild reindeer. Another relevant example is seabirds, whose populations are declining rapidly, with an increasing number of species being added to the red list each year. The aim of the course is to address the most important management issues at any given time and discuss them in the context of animal biology, with a focus on their ecology.