Scientists are using satellite imagery and other data to unveil the return of a predator to Finland’s remote forests, in a groundbreaking new approach to wildlife research.
By combining new data obtained from orbit with measurements of terrain, snow, track observations, and other information, researchers have gained new insights into the distribution and behavior of wolverines across the country.
Led by Aalto University researchers, the work was detailed in a new study that offers a rare glimpse at the habitats and behaviors of wolverines, which are known to be one of the most elusive mammalian predators. The new findings could also serve as a crucial part of future efforts to conserve the species, whose survival remains in jeopardy.
Mapping Wolverine Habitats with Remote Sensing
Wolverines were once found throughout the country, traditionally linked to some of the most rugged forested areas of Finland’s northern wilderness. However, after centuries of thriving in their natural habitat, extensive hunting during the 19th century led to a sharp decline in their presence throughout the south.
Based on the new Aalto University research, it now appears that the mixed deciduous forests in southern Finland could play a more crucial role in wolverine recovery than once believed.
“The species is returning to its historical habitat in southern Finland, and according to our research, the mixed deciduous forests typical of the south may be more important habitats for wolverines than previously thought,” said Pinja-Emilia Lämsä, a doctoral researcher at Aalto University.
While wolverine numbers have been on the rise in recent years, the secretive predators still exist in small numbers, which leaves them genetically vulnerable and fragmented geographically. Fortunately, modern remote-sensing technologies, paired with field measurements and other research practices, have helped generate critical data that could help guide future biodiversity conservation strategies.
“Understanding habitats is essential for developing species conservation and population management,” added Miina Rautiainen, Professor of Remote Sensing at Aalto University.
Forest Fragmentation Poses a Threat
One of the findings revealed in the team’s new study is that wolverines favor larger ranges of deciduous forest, while avoiding clear-cut areas that might potentially leave them exposed. Despite this, older clearings that have received approximately one decade of regrowth also seemed to attract wolverines, along with areas with lower overall tree density.
In the past, most studies that have explored the dynamics of wolverine habitats have focused on mountainous areas, where vegetation differs fairly significantly from what is found in Finland’s lowland boreal forests.
“To protect wolverine habitats, mixed forests should be favored and large, uniform forest areas should be preserved,” Lämsä emphasized, adding that understanding habitat preferences is especially crucial in Finland, where intensive forestry practices often lead to fragmented forest landscapes.
Remote Sensing Opens New Avenues for Wildlife Conservation
“In the future, remote sensing will allow us to monitor in even more detail how, for example, changes in vegetation or other environmental changes in Finland affect animal populations,” said Miina Rautiainen, a co-author of the new study.
Fundamentally, Lämsä, Rautiainen, and the team’s approach represents an important advancement in wildlife research with applications extending well beyond Finland or the European continent.
Going forward, ongoing efforts to gain insights into the landscapes of wolverines and other potentially endangered species may help conservationists plan for their return to the landscapes they once roamed and what factors will help them serve as ideal future habitats.
The study, “Wolverines on the Move: A Multi-Scale Analysis of Forest and Landscape Factors Influencing Wolverine Occurrence in Finland,” appeared in Ecology and Evolution on April 21, 2025.
Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on X: @MicahHanks.