The lynx moves through the mosaic of habitats available in Finland, but still clearly favours forests with deadwood and varying terrain. A new study from the University of Helsinki reveals how skillfully this large predator balances between human-modified areas and natural environments.
Lynx are on the rebound in Finland. Once endangered in the early 20th century, the population has more than doubled in recent decades. With approximately 3,500 individuals, Finland is now one of the most important regions for the species in Europe.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki and Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) have now investigated what types of habitat lynx prefer. The study shows that the lynx favours structurally diverse environments but has also proven surprisingly adaptable.
The study analysed snow-track monitoring data collected between 2016 and 2020 in central and southern Finland. Data gathered by volunteer hunters were analysed with a statistical model previously developed at the University of Helsinki, allowing researchers to simultaneously examine both the lynx's habitat use and its relationship with prey species.
The lynx needs hiding spots for ambushing
The study found that the lynx favours diverse environments: older forests with deadwood, fallen trunks, and varied terrain. Such forests offer plenty of hiding spots, which are vital for the lynx. As a stalk and ambush predator, it creeps close to its prey before striking suddenly.
Prey species vary by region. In central Finland, the lynx frequently shared the same areas as the mountain hare, as both species have similar habitat requirements. In southern Finland, the lynx was more closely associated with white-tailed deer and roe deer, which are abundant in human-modified landscapes. But for a stalk and ambush predator like the lynx, surprising deer in the more open habitat they prefer is not an easy chore.
"Still in southern Finland, it is not uncommon to see a lynx feeding on a deer in a flat, open field. The lynx can probably use the forest at the edge of the field to get closer to its prey, and ultimately succeeds because hunting opportunities are so plentiful," says researcher Francesca Malcangi from the Lammi Biological Station at the University of Helsinki.
Malcangi's research has even inspired the development of a where people get to find out first-hand how much more difficult hunting becomes for lynx in open areas.
Protecting structurally diverse forests means protecting the lynx
A large forest area alone is not enough for the lynx - the quality of the forest also matters. If forest structure becomes simplified through intensive forestry, or if deer populations collapse due to disease, the lynx's living conditions could deteriorate rapidly. Protecting diverse forests is therefore also securing the future of the lynx.
The United Kingdom is planning to reintroduce the lynx into the wild, and the recovery seen in Finland provides valuable knowledge to support such initiatives.
"Finland shows that coexistence between large predators and humans is possible in both natural and human-modified landscapes. It is an encouraging example for the whole of Europe," says senior author John Loehr.
Original article:
Malcangi, F., Graco-Roza, C., Lindén, A., Sundell, J. and Loehr, J. (2026), Habitat complexity and prey composition shape an apex predator's habitat use across contrasting landscapes. Ecography e08132.
