ResourcesArctic Fox Working Group
Coordinators
Karin Norén, Anders Angerbjörn
Arctic fox working group
The arctic fox working group focus on the ecology and conservation status in specific populations as
well as across the global distribution range. Through a well-established network of arctic fox experts
in academia and management, key topics such as prey dynamics, competition and boreal expansion,
pathogen outbreaks and genetic issues are continously discussed. In Sweden, Norway and Finland, the
arctic fox is managed under a joint transnational action plan.
Summary
The Arctic Fox Working group coordinates research and conservation through a well-established
expert network. Although globally listed as Least Concern, Arctic foxes face significant regional
threats in the context of ongoing climate change. Future conservation priorities include climate change
impacts, improved understanding of diseases and parasites, maintaining genetic and demographic
connectivity, mitigating threats in locally endangered populations and facilitating early detection of
population change.
What are the main issues in arctic fox conservation?
On a global scale, the arctic fox is classified as Least Concern. It was however classified as a climate
change flagship species by the IUCN in 2009, highlighting habitat loss, disruption of prey cycles and
impact of boreal expansion as important threats. Another potential threat is outbreaks of diseases and
parasites. Even though there is a knowledge gap regarding the impact of pathogens on a global scale,
demographic consequences following outbreaks have been recorded in local populations.
Europe - The arctic fox is legally protected in Sweden (EN), Norway (EN) and Finland (CR). Fur
harvesting caused a drastic population decline in the early 1900s. Despite legal protection, the
population failed to recover due to interference competition with expanding red fox populations and
irregular prey cycles and was on the verge of extinction in the late 1990s. Further, inbreeding
depression, sarcoptic mange outbreaks and habitat fragmentation pose further threats.
North America - The arctic fox population on Pribilof island, Alaska is recognized as a distinct
subspecies. Since the 1990s, the population is declining with human perscution, reduced prey
availability and environmental pollutants identified as contributing factors. At present, there is no legal
protection of the Pribilof island population.
Russia - The arctic fox population on Mednyi Island is listed in the state record for rare and
endangered species following an outbreak of mange (Red Book of the Russian SFSR, 1983; Red Book
of Russia, 1997; Red Book of Kamchatka, 2006).
What are the main issues the CSG should focus its efforts on in the near future to further the
protection of these animals?
On a global scale, the imminent threat of climate change is expected to influence arctic fox
populations across the distribution range – ranging from melting sea ice in the high Arctic to
increasing boreal influence and irregular prey availability in the low Arctic. Accelerated habitat loss
and fragmentation are anticipated across the distribution. On a local scale, specific threats should be
mitigated through scientifically informed and adaptive conservation actions. In this context,
knowledge regarding community-level consequences of climate change, the role of diseases and
parasites, connectivity between sub-populations and maintenance of genetically healthy populations
are key priorities. Given the expected impact of climate change, the ability to detect population
changes at an early stage through regular assessments of population status across the distribution is
also essential.
