Innovations in cumulative impact studies and applications to aid conservation and sustainable management of Reindeer in Scandinavia
Informations
- Funding country
Norway- Acronym
- -
- URL
- -
- Start date
- 1/1/2020
- End date
- 12/31/2025
- Budget
- 1,330,860 EUR
Fundings
| Name | Role | Start | End | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILJØFORSK - Environmental Research for a Green Transition | Grant | - | - | 1,330,857 EUR |
Abstract
During the last century the world has changed rapidly due to human activities. Climate change and its effects are regular frontpage news, and human land use has changed the earth's surface. For instance, roads and railways often act as barriers for species movements. The result is a 'perfect storm', where movement barriers trap species in places that no longer provide good (climatic) living conditions. Already, species extinction rates are so high that we are living in what has been termed the Sixth Extinction period; the previous period 65 million years ago eradicated the dinosaurs. To limit the negative consequences of our activities, we need to understand the total effect of all human activities on other species. In this project we focus on reindeer, a highly iconic species for Scandinavia. Reindeer not only figure on many Scandinavian souvenirs, more importantly they play a pivotal role in alpine and tundra ecosystems, and the lives of many local communities. Notably, they form the pillar of the reindeer husbandry and the Sami culture. Despite the relative remoteness of the reindeer ranges, they have not been spared from infrastructure developments, and the effects of climate change are felt globally. We are a team of international researchers, with expertise ranging from ecology to computer sciences, that will work together with reindeer herders to quantify the total effects of the different stressors (e.g. renewable energy, transport, tourism, climate) on the reindeer ranges. Barriers may separate the animals from their suitable ranges during different times of the year. At the same time climate change might increase the need for mobility. For each range we will identify the most important stressors. This will provide a knowledge basis for effective mitigation actions to reduce the negative impacts of human activities on reindeer ranges.