Spatial and temporal correlates to Norwegian moose - train collisions

Summary

We have analyzed how temporal variation, i.e. climatic factors and moose (Alces alces) population density, and spatial variation, i.e. landscape pattern and food availability, correlate with moose - train collisions along the railway running through Østerdalen valley in SE Norway. A total of 1177 train kills were registered from July 1985 to March 1997. The number of collisions increased with increasing snow depth and colder ambient temperature, and was located at the outlets of side valleys. The duration of a collision period lasting from the snow depth exceeded 30 cm until the temperature stabilized above 0ºC explained 82% of the yearly variation in moose - train collisions. Changes in the food availability, due to logging, increased the number of moose collisions considerably in local areas. We discuss that seasonal migrations is the main cause of moose - train collisions in Østerdalen.