In Norway areas of intact wilderness (areas without technical infrastructure) have decreased dramatically during the last decade, e.g. during 2008-2012 decreased by 900 km2 [http://inonkart.miljodirektoratet.no/inon/kart]). Almost 90% ofthe Faroe Islands are alpine areas (Olsen 2014). There are also extensive alpine areas in Norway, Iceland and Sweden. Anthropogenic effects on biological diversity within this biome are relatively small given the sparseness of physical encroachments, however the increasing fragmentation due to infrastructure, hydropower plants, sports facilities and cabin building has negative effects on populations of migrating wildlife and ecosystem functions (Nilsen & Strand 2017). In recent years the ecologically important small rodent cycle in the mountains has been absent or greatly reduced. This may be due to grazing pressure or climate change.