Field work

About the fieldwork

In July, we visit arctic fox habitats and dens in most parts of the Swedish mountain range/tundra. We do this to see if the dens are inhabited. At the same time, we normally conduct extensive surveys of small rodents through snap trapping and birds through line transects because both their presence and abundance are very important for the arctic fox and our understanding of the Scandinavian tundra ecology. We also perform some vegetation analyses and noting observations of numerous of species. At inhabited dens, we study the arctic foxes' behavior to some extent. We expect you to be able to carry out all of these tasks as a part of volunteering for us.

Since there are few arctic foxes around and reproduction is dependent on the availability of lemmings, we cannot guarantee that fieldworkers will see arctic foxes. It is therefore important to understand that the fieldwork largely involves gathering information and data on the conditions for the foxes. If it is a good year with high recruitment, the opportunities to see arctic foxes are relatively good but yet again, while working for us we cannot guarantee that you actually will encounter arctic foxes. You should be aware of that this fieldwork is very tough and demanding. Many experienced fieldworkers from other projects that join us say that this is one of the tougher fieldworks they have experienced.

Who are we looking for?

You are interested in nature and appreciate large amounts of rain, sun, wind, summer snow, large temperature changes, mosquitoes and gnats. You will be in the mountain tundra living in a tent for at least 3 weeks and work in a pair with another volunteer. We decide the teams. You live in a tent with your volunteer colleague and carry all your food and equipment yourselves in your own backpacks. Walking will usually be between 10 and 20 km a day and because we often go off the trail with quite a heavy pack, it is good if you are in reasonably condition, used to being outdoors, hiking outside trails and in sometimes quite harsh conditions. It can be cold, warm, wet, windy and so on so you should have appropriate gear. The only thing that the project has to lend out is tents, one per volunteer team. Most important is your approach to fieldwork in mountain tundra terrain and that you do not give up when it gets a little uphill. There is no requirement to be a biologist but it is good to have some basic species knowledge and an interest in nature, ecology and conservation biology.

The project covers travel expenses within Sweden, within reason, to and from the working area. If you are traveling from abroad, you have to arrange your own travels to and from Sweden. You also need to arrange your own field food and gear. Sometimes we could provide a small compensation (about 100 SEK/day) for food but we can't promise that plus you usually need a Swedish identification number or SINK-number.

Questions?

Contact Johan Wallen, johan.wallen@zoologi.su.se