Participatory GIS to mitigate conflicts between reindeer husbandry and forestry in Vilhelmina Model Forest, Sweden

Abstract

To improve communication between reindeer-herders and other land users, we developed and implemented a system to produce reindeer husbandry plans together with Sami reindeer-herding communities. A central component of our communications strategy was the introduction and use of a participatory GIS (pGIS). We evaluated the potential and limitations of pGIS as a tool for collaborative learning. We concluded that by merging traditional and scientific knowledge in a pGIS, the process of spatial communication has contributed to a more inclusive planning process, and to improved knowledge-sharing. Furthermore, the process has contributed to a more efficient long-term perspective where land use planning focuses on key areas but with solutions applied to the landscape. The Model Forest offered an appropriate platform to facilitate the process. De plus, le processus a contribué à l'amélioration de la perspective à long terme dans le cas où la planification de l'utilisation des terres est axée sur des régions clés, mais où les solutions sont appliquées au paysage. Les Forêts Modèles ont offert une plate-forme qui a facilité le processus.

Shades of grey challenge practical application of the cultural ecosystem services concept

“…It provides a living and working space and a sense of place for those indigenous reindeer herders who have traditional land-use knowledge (Sandström et al, 2012). It also provides a sense of place for the Sami people, in general, and other local people, which contributes to their well-being (Eliasson et al, 2015).…”

“…Darvill and Lindo, 2015). In the Swedish mountain landscape, PGIS is used by the Reindeer Husbandry Plans in order to promote collaborative learning and improved communication within the reindeer husbandry and forestry sectors (Sandström et al, 2012).…”

Sámi knowledge and ecosystem‐based adaptation strategies for managing pastures under threat from multiple land uses

“…Sámi knowledge of pasture quality can be combined with GPS data that provided real‐time data on habitat preferences of reindeers (Iversen et al, ), thereby offering more precise data for estimating effects of land use change and loss of reindeer to other factors such as predation (Sandstrom, Sandstrom, Svensson, Jougda, & Baer, ). Monitoring by tracking devices can reveal habitat preferences and could as such complement the seasonal maps.…”

Visualizing the Forest in a Boreal Forest Landscape—The Perspective of Swedish Municipal Comprehensive Planning

“…Furthermore, land use and forests in Vilhelmina have been studied and described from various perspectives over the years cf. [25,66,67,[102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111]. This history gives a unique opportunity to combine and compare information from our study with other research to further analyze and learn about local forests from a municipal perspective.…”