Samenvatting

The human population on earth has increased from 3 billion to 6 billion since 1960 and nearly 25% of the earth's terrestrial surface is now cultivated. The human pressure causes habitat fragmentation and has reduced populations of large carnivores throughout the world. Livestock depredation is the most significant conflict between people and large carnivores. In the county of Finnmark in northern Norway, where this research took place, especially Eurasian lynx are causing many livestock depredation conflicts, mainly with semi-domestic reindeer. In 2011 the Norwegian government paid about US$ 4.16 million in compensation for the depredation losses by lynx. Due to the low-intensity reindeer herding that is in practise, most carcasses of missing animals are never recovered. This provides uncertain and limited information concerning lynx depredation although the current level of compensation, paid for by the Norwegian government, is based on this information. Because of the uncertain and limited information the Norwegian government wants to change the current compensation system into a compensation system based on the presence of carnivores instead. A so-called risk based compensation system requires reliable estimates of lynx density, data on individual kill rates and habitat use of lynx are essential. The aim of this research was to provide insights into the habitat use of the Eurasian lynx in northern Norway by measuring microhabitat variables associated with kill and rest sites of lynx, which can contribute to the creation of a new compensation system.