Effects of Infrastructure on Migration and Range Use of Wild Reindeer

Vistnes, Ingunn; Nellemann, Christian; Jordhøy, Per; Strand, Olav

doi:10.2193/0022-541x(2004)068[0101:eoioma]2.0.co;2

Cited by 83 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…that it was conducted on a peninsula, giving the reindeer little opportunity to escape the area and that it did not include the range of the whole reindeer herd. Nevertheless, they state that their results stand in contrast with former large-scale studies (Nellemann et al 2000(Nellemann et al , 2003Vistnes et al , 2004. However, within the hierarchy and considering that the study was undertaken at the (or third-order selection) landscape scale, the limited response to the disturbances studied could, perhaps, be expected.…”

Section: Relevance Of a Large-scale Perspective For Domesticated Reinmentioning

confidence: 74%

Do human activity and infrastructure disturb domesticated reindeer? The need for the reindeer’s perspective

Skarin

Åhman

2014

Polar Biol

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In recent decades, human-Rangifer (reindeer and caribou) interactions have increasingly been studied from a scientific perspective. Many of the studies have examined Norwegian wild reindeer or caribou in North America. It is often questioned whether results from these studies can be applied to reindeer in managed herds, as these animals have been exposed to domestication and are also more used to humans. In order to examine the domesticated reindeer's reactions to various disturbance sources, we reviewed 18 studies of the effects of human activity and infrastructure on 12 populations of domesticated reindeer and compared these to studies on wild reindeer and caribou; based on this, we discuss the effects of domestication and tameness on reindeer responses to anthropogenic disturbance. We also consider the relevance of spatial and temporal scales and data collection methods when evaluating the results of these studies. The reviewed studies showed that domesticated reindeer exhibit avoidance behaviours up to 12 km away from infrastructure and sites of human activity and that the area they avoid may shift between seasons and years. Despite a long domestication process, reindeer within Sami reindeer-herding systems exhibit similar patterns of large-scale avoidance of anthropogenic disturbance as wild Rangifer, although the strength of their response may sometimes differ. This is not surprising since current Sami reindeer husbandry represents an extensive form of pastoralism, and the reindeer are not particularly tame. To obtain a true picture of how reindeer use their ranges, it is of fundamental importance to study the response pattern at a spatial and temporal scale that is relevant to the reindeer, whether domesticated or wild.

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Section: Relevance Of a Large-scale Perspective For Domesticated Reinmentioning

confidence: 74%

Do human activity and infrastructure disturb domesticated reindeer? The need for the reindeer’s perspective

Skarin

Åhman

2014

Polar Biol

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“…The barrier and the avoidance effects are two key aspects of ungulate disturbancereactions relating to linear structures like roads and power lines. Unless limiting or preventing crossings all together (the barrier effect: Forman & Alexander 1998, Trombulak & Frissell 2000, Vistnes et al 2004), linear and non-linear structures, like cabins, may cause an avoidance of or aversion towards adjacent areas (e.g. , Vistnes & Nellemann 2008.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Hunting on Response Behaviors of Wild Reindeer

et al. 2009

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Because wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) are hunted in southern Norway, reindeer may perceive all recreationists as threats. Potential adverse effects of hunting on reindeer behavior may be exacerbated by other forms of recreation because the number of skiers and hikers in areas inhabited by reindeer has also increased. The Norefjell‐Reinsjøfjell wild reindeer area is used extensively for recreation and tourism. Reindeer hunting was introduced in the area in 1992, and harvest rate has been stable at about 38% of winter herd size. We recorded behavioral responses of reindeer to a person approaching directly on foot or skis during 1992 and again in 2002–2006. Compared to 1992, flight‐initiation distance increased and fewer groups assessed the observer before taking flight during 2002–2006. In winter, when reindeer are usually comparably more vigilant than in other seasons, flight‐initiation distance increased from only 60 m to 115 m and escape distance decreased from 400 m to 210 m. Neither alert distance, calf carcass weights (23.6 ± 0.7 [SE] kg to 22.4 ± 0.2 kg), nor reindeer herd size (661 ± 73 to 579 ± 15) changed during the 15 years of our study. Reindeer appeared to habituate to the observer because they initiated flight at shorter distances as the number of approaches on the same day increased. In Norefjell‐Reinsjøfjell, encounters with a person on foot or skis did not result in behavioral responses likely to entail substantial energy costs for reindeer; therefore, hunting at current levels appears compatible with other recreational activities.

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“…Many of the alpine national parks in southern Norway hold the last remaining populations of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Europe, and recreational use can affect their distribution, population dynamics and general conditions in several ways (Vistnes et al 2004, Vistnes & Nellemann 2008, Reimers & Colman 2009, Forbes & Kumpula 2009. Recently these reindeer have received considerable national and international attention (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking visitor motivation with attitude towards management restrictions on use in a national park

Gundersen

Mehmetoglu

Vistad

et al. 2015

Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

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The increasing demand for visiting wilderness areas often requires management actions that both conserve the natural resources and ensure a high quality visitor experience. Many of the alpine national parks in southern Norway hold the last remaining populations of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Europe. Therefore management needs more effective tools to reduce or remove recreational impact on wild reindeer populations. Management actions should also consult research-based knowledge on visitors. Therefore, this study explores the link between visitor motivations and their attitudes towards management actions on track-related -The strategy of 'area restriction' is highly controversial for local communities, due to their long tradition with subsistence harvesting, grazing and traditional agriculture; therefore such a strategy will receive only low approval among the locals and leave the management with low legitimacy at the local level.-The strategy of 'management of the track system' will affect most non-local visitors, but these visitors are more flexible in adapting to a new trail system in the area, or may shift to another area.-Visitors with strong place attachment, as well as wilderness seekers who desire solitude are difficult to influence with physical management actions.-A management strategy that will limit the area of use and behaviour of off-track visitors should include information about ecosystem vulnerability.4

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Effects of Infrastructure on Migration and Range Use of Wild Reindeer

Cited by 83 publications

References 23 publications

Do human activity and infrastructure disturb domesticated reindeer? The need for the reindeer’s perspective

Do human activity and infrastructure disturb domesticated reindeer? The need for the reindeer’s perspective

Effects of Hunting on Response Behaviors of Wild Reindeer

Linking visitor motivation with attitude towards management restrictions on use in a national park

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