معرفی
Beate Strøm Johansen is a Researcher at the Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, University of Agder (UiA), specializing in herpetology and mammalogy. With over three decades of experience in wildlife research and education, she focuses primarily on the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), and badgers (Meles meles).
Her academic journey includes:
- Master's degree in Ethology (Zoology) from NTNU (1990-1993), studying badgers using radiotelemetry
- PhD studies in Ethology and Ecology of hedgehogs at NTNU (1994-1995)
- Various teaching positions at University of Agder and secondary schools (1998-2000)
- Full-time position at the Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden since 2009
Dr. Johansen's research interests span herpetology, mammalogy, ecology, ethology, and conservation biology. She has pioneered citizen science projects for mapping smooth snake populations across Norway and studying melanism in reptiles. Her fieldwork often involves direct observation of animal behavior, radiotelemetry tracking of mammals, and metabarcoding analysis of snake diets. She has documented numerous rare behaviors including mass bathing in slow worms, bird egg predation by smooth snakes, and predation on other snake species.
Her recent publications show a strong focus on:
- Smooth snake ecology and behavior in Norway
- Snake fungal disease and its impacts on Norwegian reptiles
- Hedgehog ecology in urban environments
- Citizen science approaches to wildlife monitoring
Dr. Johansen actively engages with the public through media appearances, educational outreach, and her blog on naturblogg.uia.no. She has been instrumental in raising awareness about the conservation status of the smooth snake in Norway, particularly the important population at Møvik Fort and Sandvigsheia, which represents Norway's densest and most valuable population of this red-listed species.
Her research methodology combines traditional field observation with modern techniques like metabarcoding and radiotelemetry. She frequently collaborates with students and citizen scientists, making her work both scientifically rigorous and accessible to the broader community.
