DOI: 10.5061/dryad.41ns1rnm9
title: Data from: The role of predation, forestry and productivity in moose harvest at different spatial levels of management units

description: Management of ungulate populations to the desired density and/or
 demographic composition are challenged by contrasting aims of different
 stakeholders. For example, hunters may want to maximize hunting
 opportunities whereas commercial forest owners may want to minimize moose
 densities to mitigate browsing damage. In addition, the return of large
 predators such as wolves (Canis lupus) affects the possible harvest yield
 of ungulates and influences the population composition through their
 selection of specific age classes. The aim of this study was to gain a
 better understanding of factors related to the variation in moose (Alces
 alces) harvest. We used moose harvest statistics from the period
 2012-2020, wolf annual monitoring data, annual brown bear (Ursus arctos)
 density, proportion of young forest per management unit, and proportion of
 agricultural land per management unit (index for productivity and roe deer
 (Capreolus capreolus) density) to explain variation in moose harvest
 across different management units at two spatial levels in two bordering
 countries, Sweden and Norway. The results showed variable responses in
 total harvest to changes in wolf territory density both at the regional
 and local management level. The proportion of young forest was correlated
 with both increased total harvest and proportion of calves. Increased
 proportion of agricultural land was linked to both increased total harvest
 and proportion of calves, likely due to that increased roe deer densities
 re-directed wolf predation from moose to roe deer, and an inverse
 relationship with brown bear density. Differences between countries may be
 due to differences in the management regime of moose, both in an
 historical and present perspective. Improved monitoring for individual
 hunting areas over time will be important for both the understanding of
 how different ungulate populations are affected by various factors and for
 the desired management of wildlife populations shared across borders.
description: # The role of predation, forestry and productivity in moose harvest at
 different spatial levels of management units Description of the data files
 and structure: There are three datasets that correspond to the three
 spatial levels of management units. Specifically, the Regional level is
 composed of regional management units (RMUs), the Local level is composed
 of local management units (LMUs), and the Hunting areas (HA). See the
 paragraph 'Harvest statistics' in Material and Methods for more
 details. Below is a description of the columns: country = Sweden or Norway
 hunting_area = License area or Management area year = year (2012 is
 2012/2013) size_RMU/size_HA = size of management unit
 short_term_wolf_index = index of wolf territory density as an average
 during two years long_term_wolf_index = index of wolf territory density as
 an average during five years brown_bear_density = density of brown bear
 young_forest = proportion of young forest roe_deer_index = index of roe
 deer density measuered as proportion of agricultural land