Hello, my name is Jørgen Rettedal Ekeli. I am a master's student at NMBU, and I have been fortunate enough to be allowed to write my thesis with COAT. I am very fond of nature, especially birds, which influenced my choice of topic. Additionally, I find it interesting to delve into ecological issues, particularly those north of the Arctic Circle. It is incredibly fascinating that some species manage to survive in the harsh northern environment! Unfortunately, climate changes are making life even more difficult for many of these species. For example, publications from COAT show that climate changes lead to an increased influx of nest predators such as red foxes and crows in the Arctic, which in turn increases the nest predation rate on ground-nesting birds. Therefore, we need to find a way to monitor how high the nest predation actually is, as well as confirm who the nest predators are.

In my master's thesis, I will examine whether a new camera surveillance method affects the predation rate on artificial quail nests less than previously used methods. The artificial nests are meant to represent the nests of ground-nesting birds such as the willow ptarmigan and the Eurasian dotterel. This is exciting because smart corvids seem to associate more visible camera methods with food! This affects the predation rate, making it unnaturally high. Therefore, we tried a more hidden surveillance method, which should affect the predation rate less. Thus, we placed out 20 fake nests without cameras, and 20 with, to see if there was any difference. This summer, there was actually more predation on the fake nests without cameras. Additionally, I want to see if there is any difference in predation on artificial quail nests and real nests. Artificial nests do not have a brooding bird and have not been chosen as a nesting site by the bird. Whether there are differences or not is interesting for future experiments that wish to use quail eggs, and says something about whether such methods are representative of actual predation on ground nests.

I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Biology (Northern Populations and Ecosystems) at the University of Tromsø, where my research focuses on understanding the environmental determinants of red fox activity in the Varanger Peninsula, Norway. Supported by Fulbright and NORAM grants, my project uses accelerometer and GIS data to explore how factors such as snow depth, temperature, and anthropogenic influences affect the behavior and energy use of red foxes across different seasons. Additionally, I have conducted ground truthing for our tracking collars at Tangen Dyrpark to establish baselines and thresholds for acceleration data collected from the field.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Oregon State University. My professional experience has provided me with a diverse skill set, including specimen dissection, tissue sampling, and live trapping of wildlife, alongside more technical lab work such as molecular detection techniques. I’ve worked in both field and laboratory settings, often under challenging conditions and with diverse stakeholders, where adaptability and problem-solving are key to the research process. These roles have helped refine my hands-on skills, which are central to my current research.

In addition to my scientific work, I am passionate about engaging with the public as a nature tourism guide, where I enjoy educating others about biology and ecology in Northern Norway. Sharing knowledge with others, whether in research or through guiding, is something I value deeply as I work towards advancing the conservation of Arctic ecosystems.