Simen Pedersen

• Pedersen, Simen; Hervik, Synnøve & Pedersen, Hans Christian (2026). Direct Interaction Between Roe Deer and Mountain Hare, a Case of Interference Encounter Competition? Ecology and Evolution. 16(6). doi: 10.1002/ece3.73771. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Roe deer and mountain hares are known to select the same food sources and engage in indirect exploitative competition. Here we report on a case of direct interaction between a roe deer doe and a mountain hare recorded by a camera trap in Tydal Municipality, Norway, a possible case of direct interference competition. The roe deer doe is at least following and displacing the mountain hare for 2 min and 29 s, including a 19 s active chase phase. The two animals can be seen circling in and out of frame in front of the camera. This direct interaction is based on the limited information gained through the picture series. It could be a case of curiosity; however, we speculate that this is a case of interference encounter competition between these two herbivore species. From the literature, roe deer and mountain hares are known to compete indirectly for forage; moreover, roe deer are known to behave aggressively towards other competing deer species. Our traditional textbook understanding of ecology is based on the common and the easily observable, not the rare and difficult to observe. This observation challenges our understanding of the interactions between roe deer and hares, as roe deer may compete directly with mountain hares over food resources.

• Pedersen, Simen; Pedersen, Hans Christian; Kalleberg, Stian & Mayer, Martin (2026). Long‐distance dispersal in mountain hare revealed by GPS collaring. Ecology. ISSN 0012-9658. 107(5). doi: 10.1002/ecy.70414. Full text in Research Archive
• Vogler, Thomas; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt & Pedersen, Simen (2025). Saving Bambi from the mower? Using a drone with thermal camera to evaluate a low‐tech scaring technique to reduce roe deer fawn mortality during grass harvest. Wildlife Biology. ISSN 0909-6396. doi: 10.1002/wlb3.01450. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Roe deer is a species that hides their neonates as an anti‐predator strategy. This may prove efficient against mammalian predators, such as the red fox; however, it might be an ecological trap as large numbers of fawns are killed by tractors with harvesters each year during grass harvest. Here, we evaluate a low‐tech, low‐cost method, using scaring flags placed in the field the evening before grass harvest, intended to stimulate the roe deer doe to remove any fawns from the field. We evaluate the effects of the scaring flags by counting the number of fawns in the fields using a multi‐rotor drone equipped with a thermal camera. The drone proved to be an efficient tool for detecting roe deer fawns. However, contrary to other studies, we found limited or no effect of placing the scaring flags in the field. This discrepancy highlights the fallacy of generalizing based on single case studies. There is still a need to develop low‐cost, easily applicable tools to reduce roe deer fawn mortality during grass harvest. However, with the increasing technological development, drones with thermal cameras are a promising tool for wildlife management and monitoring in the future.

• Stokes, Allan William; Hofmeester, Tim R.; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Odden, John; Linnell, John Durrus & Zimova, Marketa [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Mountain Hares Are Adapted to Historical Climates—Coat Colour Mismatch is Greatest in Areas With the Largest Reduction in Snow Cover Duration Over the Last 60 Years. Global Change Biology. ISSN 1354-1013. 31(8). doi: 10.1111/gcb.70365. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Climate change has reduced the duration of seasonal snow cover in many areas, leading to seasonal coat colour-changing species being colour mismatched against their environment for increasingly long periods. This mismatch in camouflage can lead to increased predation, potentially resulting in population-level effects. Here we investigate how mountain hare (Lepus timidus) camouflage is influenced by climate change-induced reductions in snow cover over a 60-year period. We quantified the degree of camouflage mismatch using multiannual (2011–2018) camera trap data from 678 camera traps spread across an environmental gradient in Norway spanning from 58° N to 69° N, and from coastal to inland areas. We coupled this camouflage data with a 60-year snow cover time series on a national scale, creating two 30-year averages of snow cover duration (1959–1988 and 1989–2018). We investigated how climate change-induced reductions in snow cover correlate with coat colour camouflage and resulting mismatch. Specifically, we analysed how mountain hare coat colour mismatch varied between camera trap locations with varying reductions in the number of snow days between the two 30-year averages. We also investigated how 2011–2018 mountain hare moult phenology compared to 1959–1966 and 2011–2018 average snow cover, respectively. Coat colour mismatch was highest in areas with the greatest reductions in the number of snow days. Additionally, 2011–2018 moult phenology better matched 1959–1966 than 2011–2018 snow patterns. Collectively, our results indicate that mountain hares are not adjusting their moult phenology fast enough to track the pace at which snow cover is declining.

• Zimova, Marketa; Newey, Scott; Becks, Denny; Pedersen, Simen & Mills, Scott (2024). Scottish mountain hares do not respond behaviorally to camouflage mismatch. Oikos. ISSN 0030-1299. 24(10). doi: 10.1111/oik.10834. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Climate change has resulted in a myriad of stressors to wild organisms. Phenotypic plasticity, including behavioral plasticity, is hypothesized to play a key role in allowing animals to cope with rapid climate change and mitigate its negative fitness consequences. Camouflage mismatch resulting from decreasing duration of snow cover presents a stressor to species that undergo coat color molts to maintain camouflage against seasonally changing backgrounds. Winter white animals appear highly conspicuous against dark, snowless background and experience increased predation-induced mortality. Here, we evaluate the potential of behavioral plasticity to buffer against camouflage mismatch in mountain hares Lepus timidus in Scotland. We carried out field surveys in three populations over two years and found no evidence that hares modify their behaviors in response to increasing camouflage mismatch. Hares did not prefer to rest closer to light-colored rocks or farther from conspecifics with increasing color contrast. Furthermore, whiter hares did not seek to rest closer to snowy backgrounds; rather, hares preferred to sit farther from snow. These results suggest that behavioral plasticity might not be a universal, rapid mechanism facilitating adaptation to climate change.

• Pedersen, Simen; Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej; Stawski, Clare; Reid, Neil; Sait, Shannen Thora Lea & Pedersen, Hans Christian (2024). Hunting method affects cortisol levels in harvested mountain hares (Lepus timidus). Wildlife Biology. ISSN 0909-6396. doi: 10.1002/wlb3.01366. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The direct effects of hunting on hunted individuals and populations have been well known for a long time. However, recently there has also been an increased focus on the indirect, non-lethal effects of hunting. When approached by a possible threat such as a predator, the prey releases various stress hormones into the bloodstream. Cortisol is one of these hormones and the blood concentration is an indicator of stress levels in mammals. Here we report on a study on the effects of using hunting dogs versus walk-up shooting on mountain hare blood cortisol levels. We sampled 20 hares hunted using dogs and 32 control hares hunted without using dogs. On average the cortisol level in hares hunted using dogs was 44.6 ng/ml, while in hares harvested without being chased by dogs it was 6.8 ng/ml. Based on the blood hormone levels of this study we cannot conclude if the elevated cortisol levels we see in the hares hunted using dogs was harmful to the hares had they not been shot. However, given what is known about the effects of chronic stress, we would caution against repeated chases of individual hares. The cumulative effect of stressors including hunting is likely crucial for any effects on reproduction and survival. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the long-term effects of hunting chases and other human activities on mountain hare stress hormone levels, and to investigate the long-term effect on hare behavior, space use, survival, reproduction and recruitment.

• 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. 13(10). doi: 10.1002/ece3.10548. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Local adaptation to annually changing environments has evolved in numerous spe-cies. Seasonal coat colour change is an adaptation that has evolved in multiple mam-mal and bird species occupying areas that experience seasonal snow cover. It has a critical impact on fitness as predation risk may increase when an individual is mis-matched against its habitat's background colour. In this paper, we investigate the cor-relation between landscape covariates and moult timing in a native winter-adapted herbivore, the mountain hare (Lepus timidus), throughout Norway. Data was collected between 2011 and 2019 at 678 camera trap locations deployed across an environ-mental gradient. Based on this data, we created a Bayesian multinomial logistic re-gression model that quantified the correlations between landscape covariates and coat colour phenology and analysed among season and year moult timing variation. Our results demonstrate that mountain hare moult timing is strongly correlated with altitude and latitude with hares that live at higher latitudes and altitudes keeping their winter white coats for longer than their conspecifics that inhabit lower latitudes and altitudes. Moult timing was also weakly correlated with climate zone with hares that live in coastal climates keeping their winter white coats for longer than hares that live in continental climates. We found evidence of some among year moult timing varia-tion in spring, but not in autumn. We conclude that mountain hare moult timing has adapted to local environmental conditions throughout Norway

• Neby, Magne; Andreassen, Harry Peter; Milleret, Cyril Pierre; Pedersen, Simen; Tamayo, Ana-Maria Peris & Sanchez, David Carricondo [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Small rodent monitoring at Birkebeiner Road, Norway. Biodiversity Data Journal. ISSN 1314-2836. 11. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.11.E105914. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  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. 11(9). doi: 10.3390/ani11092638. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  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. 12(9), p. 3557–3557. doi: 10.3390/su12093557. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There are two main international strategies concerning how to ensure a sustainable environment: one is to develop a globally bio-based economy, or bioeconomy, to meet the increased demand of goods and products to maintain our well-being and to reduce climate change. On the other hand, there is an aim to decrease the negative impacts on nature and natural habitats to conserve and maintain ecosystems and control the loss of biodiversity. There is a trade-off between these two strategies; as we increase the commitment to the bioeconomy by intensifying biomass production, we will simultaneously challenge biodiversity through the increased pressure on, and the utilization of, biological raw materials. Here, we first review and discuss the challenges and opportunities in terrestrial and marine ecosystems for the production of biomass for the bioeconomy. We focus on the trade-offs between economic sustainability on one hand, and environmental sustainability and resilience on the other hand. We conclude with a discussion of the various bioeconomy strategies. Finally, we present a conceptual model on how to sustainably develop the bioeconomies (by introducing the concept of optimizing the economic gain/ecological pain ratio) to be able to manage the biodiversity in a sustainable way.

• Stutz, Rebecca S; Pedersen, Simen; Teräväinen, Malin; Kjellander, Petter; Leimar, Olof & Verschuur, Louisan [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (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), p. 253–262. doi: 10.1007/s10342-019-01166-6. Full text in Research Archive
• Angelstam, Per; Manton, Michael; Khaulyak, Olga; Naumov, Vladimir Vladimirovi; Pedersen, Simen & Stryamets, Natalie [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2019). Knowledge production and learning for sustainable forest landscapes: The European continent's west and east as a laboratory. Lesnoy zhurnal. ISSN 0536-1036. p. 9–31. doi: 10.17238/issn0536-1036.2019.1.9. Full text in Research Archive
• 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. Full text in Research Archive
• 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), p. 9–18. doi: 10.17238/issn0536-1036.2018.4.9. Full text in Research Archive
• 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. 8(3). doi: 10.1002/ecs2.1722. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In northern latitudes, species that have adapted to snow cover by molting and changing pelage color will be particularly vulnerable to climate change, as predation levels may increase due to a mismatch with background coloration. Here, we investigated the synergistic effect of mammalian generalist predators (red fox Vulpes vulpes and pine marten Martes martes) and the duration of snow cover on the abundance of a winter-adapted species, the mountain hare (Lepus timidus). We analyzed 12 yr of data from 622 snow tracking lines in southeast Norway along a gradient in annual duration of snow-covered ground. The mountain hare abundance index was positively related to the generalist predator abundance index, probably due to a combined numerical and functional response of the predators. The mountain hare abundance index was negatively associated with a short duration of snow cover, and this effect was stronger in areas with a high predator abundance index. Hence, we demonstrated a causal link between the mountain hare abundance index, predators, and the duration of snow cover. We expect declining mountain hare densities in the future caused by interactive effects of reduced duration of snow-covered ground, potentially increasing generalist predator densities and the limited ability of mountain hares to adapt to the climate change-induced molting mismatch.

• 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), p. 1108–1123. doi: 10.1002/eap.1506. Full text in Research Archive
• 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, p. 368–377. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.07.019. Full text in Research Archive
• 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), p. 604–612. doi: 10.1111/aec.12349. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Andreassen, Harry Peter; Keith, David A; Skarpe, Christina; Dickman, Christopher R & Gordon, Iain J. [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2014). Relationships between native small mammals and native and introduced large herbivores. Austral ecology (Print). ISSN 1442-9985. 39(2), p. 236–243. doi: 10.1111/aec.12072. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  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.

• 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, p. 527–534. doi: 10.1007/s10344-014-0816-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Supplementary feeding of wild large herbivores is a widespread practice in North America and Europe. The presence of feeding stations may have ecological consequences through changes to animal distributions, patterns of herbivory and a net nutrient input into the ecosystem. In Fennoscandia, supplementary feeding of moose in winter (Alces alces) is increasing. Although it has been shown to affect bird communities, its effects on small mammal communities were unknown. Here, we studied the effects of moose supplementary feeding stations on plants and on abundance, reproduction, and biomass of small mammals in years with low and high vole abundance. We sampled small mammals with snap traps and conducted surveys of the field layer vegetation, at varying distances from moose supplemental feeding stations. Due to the vegetation changes induced by feeding stations, abundance of common shrews (Sorex araneus) and Microtus voles were positively affected by long-term moose winter feeding, while bank voles (Myodes glareolus) were not affected. Moose feeding stations did not affect reproduction, individual body mass, or the total biomass of small mammals. Moose winter-feeding stations have impacts on nontarget species, providing islands of preferred grass and forb habitat for Microtus spp. and common shrews, allowing them to penetrate into a matrix of less preferred forest habitat.

• Mathisen, Karen Marie & Pedersen, Simen (2014). Hvordan elgens aktiviteter rundt fôringsplasser påvirker vegetasjon, småfugler og mus. In Storaas, Torstein & Langdal, Kjell (Ed.), Ikkje berre ulv og bly - glimt frå forskninga på Evenstad. Oplandske Bokforlag. ISSN 9788275182232. p. 129–144. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  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.

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• Pedersen, Simen (2026). Astrid fikk et uventet hagebesøk. [Journal]. Raumnes. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Seldal, Egil Bore & Lagmandokk, Ole-André (2026). Hvordan takler haren et klima i endring? [Internet]. SoMe. doi: https:/fb.watch/Iks-4KEaT-/. Full text in Research Archive
• Landry-Ducharme, Ludovic; Mayer, Martin; Pedersen, Hans Christian & Pedersen, Simen (2026). Dynamic food-risk trade-offs shape mountain hare habitat selection in a human-modified boreal landscape. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Food-risk trade-offs are a central paradigm in herbivore habitat-selection theory. Identifying how these constraints structure habitat selection is essential for predicting species responses to environmental change in boreal ecosystems. This is particularly relevant for small mammals such as lagomorphs, which remain underrepresented in habitat-selection studies. We assessed how natural and anthropogenic features influence habitat selection in the mountain hare (Lepus timidus), a species classified as “near threatened” on the Norwegian Red List. We predicted seasonal and diel shifts in habitat selection between food and cover-related habitats, reflecting dynamic trade-offs between resource acquisition and predation risk. Since 2024, we have GPS-tracked 23 mountain hares in forested landscapes characterized by moderate human footprint in eastern Norway. We estimated seasonal home-range habitat-selection in relation to land cover, landscape heterogeneity, and distance to human infrastructures. Seasons were defined by snow cover and coat-color matching with the environment. Diel activity was determined by inferring behavioral states with hidden Markov models. Hares selected proximity to cabins for most of the year, particularly when active, while landscape heterogeneity had limited influence on selection, except in winter. Forest habitats were most used overall, especially when hares were inactive, whereas open habitats were also selected when active. Bogs, moors, and urbanized areas were generally avoided. Our results show that human modification of the landscape can modify the food–risk trade-off and highlight the scale-dependent nature of habitat selection. Ultimately, this study provides a detailed baseline for assessing mountain hare responses to climate and human-driven perturbations.

• Seldal, Egil Bore & Pedersen, Simen (2026). A step towards a population monitoring model for sustainable harvest of the Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) in Norway. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The mountain hare (Lepus timidus) is a game species in Norway. Norwegian wildlife management opens up for harvesting species that produces a “harvestable surplus”. For mountain hares it is however currently unknown if they 1) produce a harvestable surplus, and 2) how large this may be. Here we aim at evaluating two census methods, 1) snowtracking and 2) searching for fresh pellets with scent hounds. Both methods will be carried out along fixed transects with 500m intervals. We will compare estimates from the two methods with densities of hares, obtained from Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) of GPS collared hares subsequently observed from cameratrapping. We will carry out the study in two study areas in Stor-Elvdal and Tydal municipalities, Norway, where we currently have 4 and 8 GPS marked hares respectively. We aim at trapping another 5-10 additional hares at each site during the spring of 2026. This is a planned BSc thesis, and a first step towards developing an applicable, low cost, population index for mountain hares. The ultimate goal of the study is to provide a cost-effective management tool for landowners and hunters to comply with the legislation that dictates best possible knowledge around whether game species in an area contain harvestable populations or not.

• Pedersen, Simen (2026). Coat colour mismatch in Norwegian mountain hares - overview and remaining research questions. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Current climate change causes changes to snowfall and snowmelt patterns across the northern hemisphere, leading to increased colour mismatch for seasonally coat colour changing species such as the mountain hare (Lepus timidus). Here I start presenting an overview of the work we have done with seasonal coat colour change in Norwegian mountain hares. We see a large difference in the timing of moult across Norway, with hares in mountain areas and areas of higher latitudes keeping their winter coats for longer compared to their lowland and coastal conspecifics. Furthermore, we show that mountain hare moult is more in sync with winter onset and end from 60 years ago, compared to the current. As a response to this increased duration of coat colour mismatch we also document that hares respond behaviourally by altering diurnal activity patterns. I end this presentation by highlighting what I believe are the most important areas of future coat colour research in general as well as specifically to this system, including: 1) documenting degree of individual inter-annual plasticity in moult phenology, 2) are hares self-aware? link between mismatch and altered behaviour/phenology, 3) altered distribution of winter grey mountain hare morphs over time 4) genetic background for winter intermediate colour morphs in mountain hares, 5) our GPS-tagged hares just won’t die – is there a lack of fitness cost of mismatch?

• Pedersen, Simen; Landry-Ducharme, Ludovic; Seldal, Egil Bore & Mayer, Martin (2026). Experiences from biologging mountain hares in Norway. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Constant technological advancements in biologging allow us to more effectively track small, cryptic species, such as many of the lagomorph species, shedding light on many aspects of their ecology that were previously poorly documented. Since 2024, we have captured and GPS collared 42 mountain hares at three study sites. Here we report on our experiences from this study. First, we documented the long- range dispersal of a subadult male over a 12-day period. The hare travelled a minimum 74 km including two stopovers, resulting in a 59 km straight-line dispersal distance, before establishing a new home range. This challenges the view of mountain hare being philopatric and highlights the value of GPS tracking lagomorphs to better understand their space use and dispersal capacity. Long-distance movements may be important for population connectivity and gene flow, especially under ongoing environmental changes. Second, we share our experiences of development and deployment of various biologging tools. Finally, we set the stage for a discussion on establishing a EUROHARE network for sharing spatial data of European lagomorphs.

• Pedersen, Simen (2026). Hare vandra nesten seks mil fra Tydal til Stjørdal: – Slår jo alle tidlegare dokumenterte rekordar. [Internet]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Moe, Erlend; Lagmandokk, Ole - Andre & Pedersen, Simen (2026). Denne haren gikk ti ganger så langt som den gamle rekorden. [Internet]. forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Haren holder seg vanligvis innenfor et lite område. Men noen harer er mer eventyrlystne enn andre, viser overraskende forskerfunn.

• Moe, Erlend; Lagmandokk, Ole - Andre & Pedersen, Simen (2026). Den eventyrlystne haren. [Internet]. INN.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Haren holder seg vanligvis innenfor et lite område. Men noen harer er mer eventyrlystne enn andre, viser overraskende forskerfunn.

• Lagmandokk, Ole - Andre & Pedersen, Simen (2026). GPS-collared mountain hare, June 2026 issue in ECOLOGY. Ecology. ISSN 0012-9658. 107(6). doi: https:/doi-org.ezproxy.inn.no/10.1002/ecy.70419. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Photo of a GPS-collared adult male mountain hare (Lepus timidus) taken at a trapping site in Brumunddal Municipality, Norway on April 12th, 2026, at one of the study sites of the HareKlima project. In their The Scientific Naturalist contribution, Pedersen et al. (Ecology, Volume 107, Issue 5; Article e70414; DOI:10.1002/ecy.70414) document an unsuspected long-distance dispersal event of a subadult male mountain hare (59 km straight-line distance) that occurred in January 2025. Such events may be infrequent but challenge our current perception of the dispersal capacity of mountain hares and other smaller-bodied mammal species. These dispersal events may prove important for gene flow and recolonization after local population extinctions. Photo credit: Ole-André Lagmandokk / University of Inland Norway.

• Pedersen, Simen (2026). GPS-merket skogshare la ut på rekordferd. [Internet]. Jakt og Fiske. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  En GPS-merket skogshare har trolig satt verdensrekord med en ferd på hele 74 kilometer. Nå får forskerne ny innsikt i hvor langt arten faktisk kan forflytte seg.

• Pedersen, Simen (2026). Tydalingen slo til med ny verdensrekord - s-n.no. [Internet]. Stjødals-Nytt. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  En unghare i Tydal ble GPS-merket for å få registrert bevegelsesmønsteret. Så satte den i vei, og stoppet ikke før den var på Stjørdal. Aldri tidligere har en hare hoppet lengre.

• Pedersen, Simen (2026). Skogshare satte verdens­rekord: GPS avslørte den lengste harevandringen. Forskersonen.no. doi: https:/www.forskersonen.no/debattinnlegg-dyreverden-meninger/skogshare-satte-verdensrekord-gps-avslorte-den-lengste-harevandringen/2662102. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2026). Harenytt. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2026). Harenytt. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2026). Reddhare, JEG? [Journal]. Jakt. Full text in Research Archive
• Landry-Ducharme, Ludovic; Mayer, Martin; Pedersen, Hans Christian & Pedersen, Simen (2026). Dynamic food-risk trade-offs shape mountain hare habitat selection in a human-modified boreal landscape. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Stokes, Allan William; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Linnell, John Durrus & Hofmeester, Tim (2026). Klimaendringer gir kamuflagekluss. Haren er en konservativ fyr - den er tilpasset klima fra midten av forrige århundre. Jakt og fiske. ISSN 0800-3041. 1/2026(1), p. 44–48. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2025). Vintersjokk for harepus. [Internet]. Dagbladet. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  For haren kan drømmen om en hvit jul utgjøre forskjellen på liv og død, påpeker forsker.

• Pedersen, Simen; Pierquin, Caroline; Stokes, Allan William; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Hofmeester, Tim R. & Odden, John [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Seasonally coat colour changing Mountain hares and non-changing European hares both decrease diurnal activity as response to camouflage mismatch. doi: https:/www.iwc2025.com/_files/ugd/191ccf_1f9096c7df0d4a09b9fbd2cf0bbe0338.pdf. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Climate change is causing winter shortening, leading to increased camouflage mismatch for species with seasonal coat colour moults, such as the mountain hare (Lepus timidus). These hares' white winter coats contrast sharply against snow-free environments, increasing their predation risk. Contrastingly, the European hare (Lepus europaeus), which maintains a brown coat year-round, may become more visible during snowy periods. Both the native Mountain hare and the introduced European hare occur in Norway and are impacted by snow presence. However, evidence of behavioural adaptation to camouflage mismatch remains limited. Our study investigates the potential for behavioural plasticity in diel activity patterns of mountain and European hares in Norway and southwestern Sweden as a response to camouflage mismatch. Utilizing seven years of camera trap data and kernel density estimate (KDE) analysis, we observed significant shifts in activity patterns under mismatch conditions. Both species exhibited increased nocturnal activity and decreased diurnal activity, with European hares showing a marked increase in nocturnal behaviour, likely to minimize predation risk. These behavioural shifts were amplified by high predator activity in mountain hares and low predator activity in European hares, highlighting the critical role of predation in shaping species-specific adaptive behaviours. Our findings underscore the importance of behavioural plasticity in mountain hares as an adaptation to camouflage mismatch and heightened predation risks. Furthermore, we provide the first evidence of a similar response in a non-seasonal colour moulting species, the European hare. This research emphasizes the value of analysing activity patterns to understand adaptive strategies and underscores the importance of considering behavioural flexibility in conservation efforts for species vulnerable to climate change, as this flexibility is highly dependent on ecological conditions.

• Pedersen, Simen; Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej; Stawski, Clare Yvonne; Reid, Neil; Sait, Shannen Thora Lea & Pedersen, Hans Christian (2025). Indirekte effekter av jakt - hvor stresset blir haren av å jages med hund? Harehunden. 1-2025, p. 30–31. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2025). Snøfattig vinter - hva betyr det for høstens rypejakt? [Journal]. Jeger. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2025). Hare – klimaeffekter, områdebruk og jakt. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Harer - effekter av jakt og klima. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Hares in a changing climate. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen & Stokes, Allan William (2024). Haren sliter med fargen når klimaet endrer seg. [Internet]. forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen & Stokes, Allan William (2024). Haren sliter med fargen når klimaet endrer seg. [Internet]. www.inn.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Harde bud for skogsharen. [TV]. www.nrk.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Helene harefrøken, Morran i Innlandet. [Radio]. NRK Innlandet. Full text in Research Archive
• 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. [Internet]. www.nrk.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Stokes, Allan William; Hofmeester, Tim R.; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Odden, John & Linnell, John Durrus [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2024). Mountain hare coat colour mismatch –are they able to keep up with the changing climate? Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Sivert (14) skjøt «monsterhare»: – Som en mellomstor hund. [Internet]. ww.nrk.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Monsterhare skutt på Arnøy. [Internet]. www.jeger.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2024). Felte monsterhare på ungdomscamp. [Internet]. www.jaktogfiske.njff.no. Full text in Research Archive
• 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. p. 84–86. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2023). Hares in a changing climate. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2023). Hareforskning i Norge – i det «harens» år 2023. In Amoriza, Silje Een de (Eds.), Trygve Gotaas' fond : viltforvaltning i 50 år. Trygve Gotaas' fond. ISSN 9788271294472. p. 93–101. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2023). Chillin' Out - 5 ways mountain hares thrive in their habitat. [Journal]. National Geographic Kids. Full text in Research Archive
• Kalén, Christer; Zimmermann, Barbara; Pedersen, Simen; Sjølie, Hanne Kathrine; Dyngeland, Cecilie & Franklin, Oskar (2023). Forest and wildlife under pressure - sustainable analysis for sustainable solutions. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej; Stawski, Clare Yvonne & Pedersen, Hans Christian (2022). Stressed as a hare? Non-lethal impacts of hunting on mountain hares. Full text in Research Archive
• Stokes, Allan; Hofmeester, Tim R.; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Odden, John; Odden, Morten & Linnell, John Durrus [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). The timing of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) coat colour change in Norway is determined by elevation and latitude. Full text in Research Archive
• Stokes, Allan; Hofmeester, Tim R.; Thorsen, Neri Horntvedt; Odden, John; Odden, Morten & Linnell, John Durrus [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). The timing of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) coat colour change is determined by elevation, latitude and local climate. Full text in Research Archive
• Talleraas, Simen Moflag; Kalén, Crister; Zimmermann, Barbara; Franklin, Oskar; Evans, Alina & Eriksen, Ane [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). How does bilberry affect the availability and use of bilberry forage for moose? Full text in Research Archive
• 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). Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Svendsen, Webjørn; Pedersen, Hans Christian & Rehnus, Maik (2021). Blir haren stresset av å jages av hund? Harehunden. p. 14–15. Full text in Research Archive
• 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. In Strømme, Christian Bianchi (Eds.), SKOGEN SOM RESURS I EN GRÄNSREGION. Karlstads universitet. ISSN 9789178671229. p. 11–17. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2018). Etablerte ulverevir fjernet halve inntektsgrunnlaget fra småviltjakt for grunneierne. Skog. ISSN 1892-9990. p. 58–59. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2018). Grunneierne har mistet halvparten av inntektene etter at ulven kom. [Journal]. Østlendingen. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Hvor blir det av haren? Går harebestanden nedover slik rødlista viser? Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Kan vi forvalte harebestandene? Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Droner og varmesøkende kamera. [Journal]. Jakt og Fiske. Full text in Research Archive
• 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. p. 34–37. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen & Vogler, Thomas (2017). Forsøk i Nærøy skal finne løsninger mot rådyrdød i slottonna. [Journal]. Namdalsavisa. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Kraftig reduksjon i harejakta. [Journal]. Nationen. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2017). Droner og varmesøkende kamera. [Internet]. www.nfff.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Angelstam, Per; Pedersen, Simen; Manton, Michael & Elbakidze, Marine (2017). Towards Integrated management of wildlife, landscape and people. Fakta Skog. ISSN 1400-7789. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Østbye, Kjartan; Præbel, Kim & Bakmann, Ole (2017). Use of DNA technology to define moose populations for management. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Økt verdiskapning i beitebelastet furuskog. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Hare og rype takler ikke klimaet. [Journal]. Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Use of DNA technology to define moose populations for management – ongoing project. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Harebestanden i stor fare? Full text in Research Archive
• 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. Full text in Research Archive
• Odden, Morten & Pedersen, Simen (2016). Analyse av snøsporingsdata. Jakt og Fiske i Hedmark. ISSN 1891-1471. p. 17–17. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Østbye, Kjartan; Præbel, Kim; Bakmann, Ole; Linløkken, Arne & Mathisen, Karen Marie [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2016). Bruk av DNA teknologi for å definere elgpopulasjoner. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Resultater og veien videre – samarbeidet ERMG og HiHm. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Østbye, Kjartan; Præbel, Kim; Bakmann, Ole; Linløkken, Arne & Mathisen, Karen Marie [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2016). Bruk av DNA teknologi for å definere elgpopulasjoner. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Faktagrunnlag til retningslinjer for hjorteviltforvaltning i Stor-Elvdal. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Odden, Morten & Pedersen, Hans-Christian (2016). Kortere snøvintre - økt predasjon på hare. Jakt og fiske. ISSN 0800-3041. p. 56–57. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen (2016). Harer og klima. [Radio]. Jaktradioen. Full text in Research Archive
• Storaas, Torstein; Mathisen, Karen Marie & Pedersen, Simen (2016). Grenselaus viltforvaltning. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen & Bakmann, Ole (2016). Kombinerer ungskogpleie og elgmatproduksjon. Skog. ISSN 1892-9990. p. 52–53. Full text in Research Archive
• Sundin, Per S & Pedersen, Simen (2015). Study tours. In Lidestav, Gunn; Svensson, Johan & Hedblom, Marcus (Ed.), Innovative tools to support cooperation among stakeholders in Baltic Landscapes - a Handbook. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. ISSN 9789157693600. p. 60–62. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Bakmann, Ole; Grindstad, Jo Petter & Fischer, Johan (2015). Skog og elg- mot en optimal forvaltning av skogarealene. Hjorteviltet. ISSN 1502-3729. p. 54–56. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen; Bakmann, Ole; Grindstad, Jo Petter & Fischer, Johan (2015). Bedre forvaltning av skog og elg. Skog. ISSN 1892-9990. p. 60–62. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Simen & Bakmann, Ole (2015). Inngjerding mot elg - er det lønnsomt? Skog. ISSN 1892-9990. p. 54–56. Full text in Research Archive
• Kjønsberg, Marius; Pedersen, Simen; Vogler, Thomas & Johnsen, Kaja (2022). Kurs for taksering av hønsefugl. Linjetaksering med hund – Distance sampling. Universitetet i Innlandet. ISSN 9788283803167. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Hønsefuglportalen er en webportal for registrering og håndtering av data fra taksering av hønsefugl i Norge. I forbindelse med Hønsefuglportalen har Høgskolen i Innlandet (INN), i samarbeid med Norsk Institutt for Naturforskning (NINA), utviklet et kurs i taksering av hønsefugl basert på linjetaksering med avstandsmetoden (distance sampling). Kurset er utviklet for feltpersonell og har som hensikt å øke kvaliteten på dataene til Hønsefuglportalen, som bidrar til mer nøyaktige tetthetsestimater. Dette kursheftet danner det teoretiske grunnlaget for takseringskurset, og er bygd opp av fire hovedtemaer: bakgrunn for kurset, overvåking av hønsefugl, distance sampling som metode, og linjetaksering med hund.

• Pedersen, Simen; Angelstam, Per; Ferguson, Michael Arthur Darrell; Wabakken, Petter & Storaas, Torstein (2018). Ulv og utmarksressurser - Økonomiske konsekvenser av ulv på inntekter fra småviltjakt. Universitetet i Innlandet. ISSN 9788283800357. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Sentralisert forvaltning av store rovdyr fører ofte til konflikter med lokale interesser og bruk av skogslandskapet. Jakt og jakthunder er viktige både økonomisk og kulturelt. Tilstedeværelse av ulv kan føre til at jegere med hund velger å jakte i andre områder, dersom de frykter at jakthunden kan bli tatt av ulv. Vi undersøkte om rettighetshaveres inntekter fra småviltjakt indirekte reduseres av tilstedeværelse av ulv. Vi kontaktet rettighetshavere for tilgang på data på inntekter fra småviltjakt i årene 1990 til 2009 i Hedmark og Oppland fylker, i områder med og uten ulv. Rettighetshaverne fikk i gjennomsnitt halverte inntekter fra småviltjakt de årene hvor ulven var tilstede. Vi fant også at mellomårsvariasjonen i jaktinntekter økte jo nærmere man kom et ulverevir. Ulike kompensasjons-ordninger har blitt benyttet for å dekke økonomiske tap som rettighetshavere har på grunn av ulv. Det er likevel viktig å merke seg at selv om rettighetshaverne kan bli økonomisk kompensert for de tapene de har, vil påvirkningen ulv har på lokalbefolkningen og jegernes frykt for å miste jakthunden fortsatt være kontroversiell.

• Kjønsberg, Marius; Bakmann, Ole & Pedersen, Simen (2016). Driftsplan for småvilt i Spekedalen/Sølendalen. Høgskolen i Hedmark. ISSN 9788276719741. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  English: Management plan for small game in Spekedalen/Sølendalen is a collaboration between 5 landowners in Rendalen municipality. The objective of the plan is to establish a organization and management of small game species. The plan is designed to have management goals with a continuous evaluation. It also has a description of relevant knowledge relating to small game management. The main focus is the ecology, with an objective to increase the populations of game species, mainly grouse. But, with a commercial exploitation of game species also other resources will be important to offer a complete product. The plan is the basis for a future goal of having sustainable small game managementincluding not only ecology, but also economic and social aspects.

• Pedersen, Simen (2014). Skjøtselsplan for Østeraasvolden. Høgskolen i Hedmark. Full text in Research Archive

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