Abstract
In Scandinavia, a large extent of land used by reindeer husbandry is occupied and modified by other land uses. At the same time, reindeer need habitats where they can escape from predation. The combination of high predation risk and human disturbances may force reindeer to concentrate in refuge areas. Consequently, high reindeer densities may cause overgrazing and overtrampling on pastures. I will explore these dynamics using data from radiocollared reindeer, satellite images and fieldwork to analyze the way reindeer use their pastures and the status of the pastures both in the snow-free season and in winter. The results of the project will be a first step to quantify the indirect effects of predators and human activities on reindeer and their pastures. Reindeer are essential for counterbalancing the effects of climate change and are drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem processes in the tundra. Therefore, preserving this species will help in meeting the Swedish goals of Reduced Climate Impacts and Magnificent Mountain Landscape. Moreover, the proposed project is a novel, needed step toward the dialogue on compensation for reindeer herders based not only on direct mortality, but also on indirect effects of predation.
Sweden