Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2025
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster E85
Höfundar / Authors: Róbert Arnar Stefánsson and Menja von Schmalensee
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: Náttúrustofa Vesturlands / West Iceland Nature Research Centre
Kynnir / Presenter: Róbert A. Stefánsson
The American mink (Neogale vison) is one of the most invasive species in Europe. This is also the case in Iceland, where it has harmed native wildlife since its establishment and spread in the 1940s–1970s. As a semi-aquatic species, it relies heavily on aquatic habitats. Mink mainly use various ambush techniques when hunting. Therefore, local habitat microfeatures, such as river and coastal pools where fish gather, steep tidal zones, slow currents, and vegetation or rocks that provide cover, are important components of high-quality mink habitat. A high proportion of Icelandic wetlands were drained in the 20th century. This process created vast networks of ditches, which in some cases contain large quantities of water and can provide excellent hunting spots for mink. In addition, over the past decades, many fjords in Iceland have been crossed by solid causeways, which also, in many cases, offer new, good-quality habitats for mink. Similar habitats can be found in and around many harbours. Might such man-made mink habitats be adding to the natural habitats suitable for mink in Iceland, consequently allowing the population to reach higher numbers than would otherwise have been possible? What might the consequences be, and what measures should we take now? We need to address these questions and assess the potential negative effects on native wildlife due to an increased density of mink caused by man-made mink habitats.