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I am researcher working for the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) in Trondheim. My research background is in wildlife conservation genetics and ecology with specific focus on noninvasive, DNA-based monitoring of elusive species and specifically population genetics of large carnivores, such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos), wolverine (Gulo gulo), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and grey wolf (Canis lupus).

I am formerly Vice-President for Eurasia and now the Secretary of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA). Further, I am member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Conservation Genetic Specialist Group and the Editorial Board of Annales Zoologici Fennici, the journal of the Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board.

 

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

PEER REVIEWED


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BOOK CHAPTERS


— Short movie we produced explaining how we use DNA to monitor large carnivores in Norway. You may enable English or German subtitles.

 

REPORTS

  • de Boer H, Asmyhr MG, Flø D, Gehrke B, Grainger M, Hermansen JS, Kopatz A, Eldegard K, Raeymaekers JAM, Rueness EK (2023) Scientific assessment of risk to populations of pythons listed by CITES as a result of trade. Scientific Opinion of the Panel on CITES of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment. VKM Report 2023: 17. Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM). Oslo. 115 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Davey M, Fossøy F, Forfang K, Eriksen LB, Flagstad Ø, Kleven O (2023) Monitoring sheep and reindeer consumption by brown bears using molecular methods. NINA Report 2276. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Trondheim, 38 pages.

  • Brøseth H, Kopatz A, Kleven O (2023) DNA-based monitoring of brown bear in Norway in 2022. NINA Report 2267. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Trondheim. 30 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Kleven O, Friebe A, Ahlqvist D, Kindberg J, Flagstad Ø (2021) Effects of sampling location within feces on genotyping success in brown bears. NINA Report 2022. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Trondheim, 36 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Landrø J, Flagstad Ø, Stokmo, JA (2021) DNA-based monitoring of large carnivores in Scandinavia – dissemination from a visual storyline approach. NINA Report 1999. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Trondheim, 44 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Kleven O, Flagstad Ø (2020) Seasonal variation of success in DNA-extraction from brown bear fecal samples. NINA Report 1775. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Trondheim. 28 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Kleven O, Kindberg J, Kojola I, Aspi J, Spong G, Gyllenstrand N, Dalén L, Fløystad I, Hagen SB, Flagstad Ø (2019) Estimation of gene flow into the Scandinavian brown bear population. NINA Report 1618. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Trondheim, 44 pages.

  • Kleven O, Ekblom R, Spong G, Lansink GMJ, Aspi J, Creel S, Kojola I, Kopatz A, Koskela A, Kvist L, Singh N, Kindberg J, Ellegren H, Flagstad Ø (2019) Estimation of gene flow into the Scandinavian wolverine population. NINA Report 1617. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Trondheim, 30 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Andreassen R, Kling D, Randa R, Forfang K, Hagen SB, Eiken HG (2017) Family groups of brown bears in Sør-Varanger, Finland. Application of SNP and STR markers to reconstruct pedigrees from DNA-samples non invasively collected 2004-2016. NIBIO Report 3 (160). Svanvik, 40 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Randa R, Sotkajærvi E, Aspholm PE, Fløystad I, Schregel J, Aarnes SG, Hagen SB (2016) Påvisning av brunbjørn i den nordlige delen av Pasvikdalen i 2016 ved bruk av hårfeller og DNA analyse. NIBIO Report 2 (160). Svanvik, 16 pages.

  • Aspholm PE, Kopatz A, Sotkajærvi E, Aarnes SG, Schregel J, Tobiassen C, Fløystad I, Solem A, Ryeng T, Eiken HG, Hagen SB (2016) Resultater fra bjørnehårfeller i reinbeitedistrikt Beahceveai/Pasvik 5A/5C i 2016. NIBIO Report 2 (109). Svanvik, 32 pages.

  • Aarnes SG, Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Schregel J, Aspholm PE, Ollila T, Makarova O, Polikarpova N, Chizhov V, Hagen SB (2015) Monitoring of the Pasvik-Inari-Pechenga brown bear population in 2015 using hair-trapping. NIBIO Report 1 (69). Svanvik, 32 pages.

  • Aarnes SG, Kopatz A, Aspholm PE, Schregel J, Solem A, Sotkajærvi E, Eiken HG, Hagen SB (2015) Påvisning av bjørn og andre rovdyr i reinbeitedistrikt Beahceveai/Pasvik 5A/5C. NIBIO Report 1 (68). Svanvik, 33 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Aspholm PE, Rudolph A, Eiken HG, Schregel J, Aarnes SG, Hagen SB (2014) Testing hair sampling on power poles as a potential method for DNA identification and monitoring brown bears. Bioforsk Report 9 (168). Svanvik, 23 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Andreassen RJ, Eiken HG, Aarnes SG, Tobiassen C, Randa R, Wikan S, Hagen SB (2014) Female brown bears in Sør-Varanger, Norway: localities and mother-cub relationships analyzed by genetic methods. Bioforsk Report 9 (167). Svanvik, 25 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Østereng G, Hagen SB (2013) Joint border raccoon dog meeting - First joint-border meeting on preventive measures against an invasive mammal, the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). Bioforsk Report 8 (77). Svanvik, 143 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Aspholm PE, Eiken HG, Hagen SB (2012) Hair trapping of brown bears for management purposes in Neiden and Pasvik in 2012 - application of hair traps in a sheep grazing area and around sheep and moose carcasses. Bioforsk Report 7 (189). Svanvik, 19 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Aspholm PE, Hagen SB (2012) Hair trapping versus field sampling of feces and hair – a comparison of two strategies to collect brown bear samples in 2007 and 2011 at the Pasvik Valley, Norway. Bioforsk Report 7 (128). Svanvik, 23 pages.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Aspholm PE, Tobiassen C, Bakken BB, Schregel J, Ollila T, Makarova O, Polikarpova N, Chizhov V, Hagen SB (2011) Monitoring of the Pasvik-Inari-Pechenga brown bear population in 2007 and 2011 using hair-trapping. Bioforsk Report 6 (148). Svanvik, 27 pages.

  • Eiken HG, Kopatz A, Aspholm PE, Tobiassen C, Bakke BB, Knappskog PM, Ollila L, Bjørn TA, Hagen SB (2011) Hårfeller og DNA-analyse brukt som metoder for å påvise bjørn i Hattfjelldal i Nordland i 2011. Bioforsk Report 6 (140). Svanvik, 24 pages.

  • Eiken HG, Ollila L, Aspholm PE, Ollila T, Bergsvåg M, Smith ME, Kopatz A, Magga S, Sulkava P, Aspi J, Wartiainen (2009): Hair snares applied to detect brown bears in Øvre Anárjohka and Lemmenjoki National Parks. Bioforsk Report Vol. 4 No. 190. Svanvik, 25 pages.

  • Smith ME, Ollila L, Bjervamoen SG, Eiken HG, Aspholm PE, Kopatz A, Aspi J, Kyykkä T, Ollila T, Sulkava P, Makarova O, Polikarpova N, Kojola, I (2007) Monitoring of the Pasvik Pasvik-Inari brown bear population using hair snares. Final report of the project “Development of the monitoring and research of brown bear population in North Calotte area. Bioforsk, Svanvik.


CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS

PRESENTATIONS

  • Kopatz A, Raeymaekers JAM, de Boer H, Vernesi C (2023) Genomic BIodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE). Presentation at the first Norwegian Biodiversity & Genomics Conference, February 8-10, 2023, Oslo, Norway.

  • Kopatz A, Kleven O, Kojola I, Aspi J, Norman AJ, Spong G, Gyllenstrand N, Dalén L, Fløystad I, Hagen SB, Kindberg J, Flagstad Ø (2021) Restoration of transborder connectivity between two large brown bear populations. Presentation at the 27th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, September 14-23, 2021, Kalispell MT, USA.

  • Kopatz A, Kling D, Eiken HG, Forfang K, Hagen SB, Andreassen R (2018) Pedigree reconstruction by combined SNP and STR analysis in a brown bear population. Presentation at the 26th International Conference of Bear Research and Management, September 16-21, 2018, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

  • Kopatz A (2018) Population genetic assessment of the brown bear across Northern Europe - National and transboundary perspectives and challenges. Presentation at the 5th European Congress of Conservation Biology, June 12-15th 2018, Jyväskylä, Finland.

  • Kopatz A, Schregel J, Eiken HG, Aspi J, Kojola I, Hagen SB (2015) Male mediated gene flow and the carnivore comeback: Y-chromosomal patterns during range expansion in a recovering brown bear population. Presentation at the 7th European Congress of Mammalogy, August 17–21, 2015, Stockholm, Sweden.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Schregel J, Aspi J, Kojola I, Hagen SB (2014) Genetics of population recovery - Spatio-temporal analyses on the demographic and geographic expansion of the Finnish brown bear Ursus arctos. Presentation at the 23rd International Conference on Bear Research and Management, October 5-11, 2014, Thessaloniki, Greece.

  • Kopatz A, Hagen SH, Schregel, J, Eiken HG (2012) Genetic monitoring and research of brown bears in northern Europe. Presentation at the 86th Annual Conference of the German Society of Mammalogy - "THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF MAMMALIAN DIVERSITY" - by the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum and the Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BIK-F), September 4-8, 2012, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Aarnes SG, Tobiassen C, Ruokonen M, Esparza-Salas R, Smith ME, Ollila L, Wartianen I, Makarova O, Polikarpova N, Rendakov NL, Danilov PI, Rykov A, Schregel J, Kojola I, Aspi J (2010): Population structure of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in north-eastern Europe. Presentation at the 5th International Symposium "Dynamics of game animal Populations in Northern Europe", September 1-5, 2010, Rabocheostrovsk, Russia.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Aarnes SG, Tobiassen C, Ruokonen M, Esparza-Salas R, Smith ME, Ollila L, Wartianen I, Makarova O, Polikarpova N, Rendakov NL, Danilov PI, Rykov A, Schregel J, Kojola I, Aspi J (2010): Population structure of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in north-eastern Europe. Presentation at the 19th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, May 16-22, 2010, Tbilisi, Georgia.

  • Kopatz A, Aspi J, Ruokonen M, Kojola I (2006): Ecology and genetics of the brown bear in Finland. Presentation at the International Symposium "Dynamics of Game Animal Populations in Northern Europe", September 18-22, 2006, Petrozavodsk, Russia.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS & LECTURES

  • Kopatz A, Raeymaekers JAM (2023) Genetic Diversity Monitoring Workshop. Workshop organized by COST Action CA18134 - Genomic BIodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems “G-BIKE”. Workshop at the first Norwegian Biodiversity & Genomics Conference, February 8-10, 2023, Oslo, Norway.

  • Kopatz A (2022) Conservation genetics in brown bear monitoring and management. Bear Conservation Webinar. February 17, 2022. Amity Institute of Forestry and Wildlife, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

  • Kopatz A (2021) Genetic connectivity among brown bears in Fennoscandia. Landscape Ecology and Nature Management Seminar. November 12, 2021.
    Nord University, Steinkjer, Norway.

  • Kopatz A (2020) DNA-based monitoring of brown bears and other large carnivores in Norway. Webinar in Biodiversity and Evolution. CIBIO - Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources & InBIO - Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology. June 26, 2020, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal.

  • Kopatz A, Kleven O (2019) Genflyt til den skandinaviske bjørne- og jervpopulasjonen. Skandinavisk Rovdjurinventeringsmøte. December 4-5, 2019, Stockholm, Sweden.

  • Flagstad Ø, Kleven O, Kopatz A (2019) Råd för bättre resultat i DNA-insamling. Skandinavisk Rovdjurinventeringsmøte. December 4-5, 2019, Stockholm, Sweden.

  • Kopatz A (2018) Hvor mange bjørnefamilier i Pasvik? Rekonstruksjon av familiestruktur med genetiske metoder. Presentation at the 'konferanse om rovvilt, beitedyr og samfunn', January 22-23, 2018, Hamar, Norway.

  • Kopatz A (2017) Insights into 10 years of genetic monitoring. EDU-ARCTIC - Engaging students in STEM education through Arctic research. Online Lesson, October 11th, 2017.

  • Kopatz A (2017) How to pluck a brown bear? EDU-ARCTIC - Engaging students in STEM education through Arctic research. Online Lesson, June 14th, 2017.

  • Kopatz A (2017) Why and how to study brown bears? EDU-ARCTIC - Engaging students in STEM education through Arctic research. Online Lesson, May 31st, 2017.

  • Kopatz A (2017) What genetics can tell us about brown bears? Public presentation at the brown bear evening in Northern Lapland, March 14, 2017, Siida, Inari, Finland.

  • Kopatz A (2015) Wildlife population recovery – What genetics can tell us. Presentation at the 2nd Svanhovd Brown Bear Seminar: The Future of Genetic Monitoring and Research on Large Carnivores. Transborder Monitoring and research of brown bears and other large carnivores in Northern Europe and across the Fennoscandian Green Belt. November 10-11, 2015, Svanhovd, Norway.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Schregel J, Aarnes SG, Hagen SB (2015) Hva for teller genetisk overvåkning om den voksende brunbjørnbestanden i Nord-Europa og deler av Russland? Grensekryssende perspektiver basert på ny genetisk forskning. Presentation at the Nasjonale Konferanse om Rovvilt, Beitedyr og Samfunn, January 12-13, 2015, Hamar, Norway.

  • Kopatz A, Hagen SB (2011) Genetic monitoring and research of brown bears in Northern Europe. Presentation at the meeting on Brown bear research, monitoring and management in Pasvik-Inari area and North Calotte area, December 7-8, 2011, Inari, Finland.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Aarnes SG, Tobiassen C, Ruokonen M, Esparza-Salas R, Smith ME, Ollila L, Wartianen I, Makarova O, Polikarpova N, Rendakov NL, Danilov PI, Rykov A, Schregel J, Kojola I, Aspi J (2010): Population structure of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in north-eastern Europe. Presentation at the seminar "Forskning på brunbjørn i Norge", Bioforsk Svanhovd, June 7-8, 2010, Svanvik, Norway.

  • Kopatz A (2010): How to pluck a bear? - Noninvasive sampling methods in brown bear research. Presentation at the 3rd Jyväskylä Winterschool international workshop “Current trends and future challenges in wildlife biology”, February 24-26, 2010, Konnevesi research station, Finland.

  • Kopatz A (2009): A look at the brown bears in the northern edge of Europe. Presentation at the mini-symposium on Predator relationships - from hostility to co-operation, April 23, 2009, Helsinki, Finland.

  • Kopatz A (2008): Population genetics of brown bears at the northeastern edge of Europe. Presentation at the 12th Kaamos Symposium, December 8-9, 2008, Oulu, Finland.

  • Kopatz A (2008): How to pluck a bear? - Noninvasive techniques in brown bear research. Presentation at the Game Management Colloquium, March 11, 2008, Helsinki, Finland.

  • Kopatz A, Aspi J, Kojola I (2006): Ecology and genetics of the brown bear in Finland. Presentation at the Wildlife Ecology Seminar 2006, Jyväskylä, Finland.

  • Kopatz A, Aspi J, Kojola I (2006): Suomen karhun ekologiaa ja genettiikka. Presentation at the Riistapäivät, January 24-25, 2006, Kouvola, Finland (in Finnish).

POSTERS

  • Kopatz A, Kleven O, Brøseth H, Spong G, Ekblom R, Milleret C, Dupont P, Bischof R, Mattisson J, Tovmo M, Holmstrøm F, Stokmo JA, Flagstad Ø, Kindberg J (2022) DNA-based monitoring of the Scandinavian wolverine population. 17th Nordic Congress of Wildlife Research, September 19-23, 2022, Uppsala, Sweden.

  • Kopatz A, Kleven O, Norman AJ, Spong G, Valtonen M, Kojola I, Aspi J, Flagstad Ø, Kindberg J (2022) Harmonizing DNA-based brown bear (Ursus arctos) transnational monitoring in northern Europe using SNPs. 5th European Conservation Genetics Meeting, August 30-September 1, 2022, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

  • Kopatz A, Schregel J, Eiken HG, Aspi J, Kojola I, Hagen SB (2016) Temporal Analyses of Effective Population Size during Recovery and Range Expansion in the Northern European Brown Bear. Poster at the 24th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, June 12-16, 2016, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

  • Schregel J, Kopatz A, Hagen SH, Aarnes SG, Tobiassen C, Wartiainen I, Smith ME, Kojola I, Ollila T, Ollila L, Makarova O, Polikarpova N, Wikan S, Aspi J, Eiken HG (2011) Viability of a small brown bear population at 70° North: Genetic analysis of the Pasvik-Inari-Pechenga population using 13 different STRs. Poster at the 20th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, July 17-23, 2011, Ottawa, Canada.

  • Eiken HG, Andreassen RJ, Kopatz A, Bjervamoen SG, Wartiainen I, Tobiassen C, Knappskog PM, Aspholm PE, Smith ME, Makarova O, Danilov PI, Aspi J (2009): Population data for 12 STR loci in Northern European brown bear (Ursus arctos) and application of DNA-profiles for forensic case-work. Poster at the 23rd International Society for Forensic Genetics World Congress, September 14-18, 2009, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Bjervamoen SG, Wartiainen I, Tobiassen C, Smith ME, Makarova O, Danilov PI, Rykov A, Aspi J, Kojola I (2009): A look at the genetics of the brown bears in the north-eastern edge of Europe. Poster at the European Science Foundation Conservation Genetics Conference: Integrating Population Genetics and Conservation Biology, May 23-26, 2009, Trondheim, Norway.

  • Smith ME, Ollila L, Bjervamoen SG, Eiken HG, Aspholm PE, Kyykkä T, Ollila T, Sulkava P, Kopatz A, Aspi J, Kojola I, Makarova O, Polikarpova N (2007): Population monitoring in the Pasvik-Inari region of Norway, Finland and Russia using non-invasive hair sampling. Poster at the 18th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, November 4-11, 2007, Monterrey, Mexico.

  • Kopatz A, Kojola I, Pesonen M, Ruusila V (2005): Brown bear observations by moose hunters and population estimation in Finland. Poster at the 16th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, September 27 - October 1st, 2005, Riva del Garda, Italy.