Resonance Strategies of Sámi Reindeer Herders in Northernmost Finland during Climatically Extreme Years

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This study focuses on the resonance strategies of Sámi reindeer herders in four reindeer-herding cooperatives in northernmost Finland in climatically extreme years, specifically those occurring during the period 1970 -2007. "Resonance" is an instinctive and indwelling reaction of a herder to a specific change (in contrast to coping, which is a more general response). The study is based on interviews with herders, field experiences, reindeer population statistics, and weather data. Before the 1960s, herders were able to deal with changing weather conditions by using intensive herding techniques and semi-tame reindeer. After the 1960s, reindeer became wilder because of the use of snowmobiles and more extensive herding techniques. The herders of the fell and forest cooperatives did not have sufficient means to prevent the serious reindeer losses in 1972 -74, which resulted from two years of hard snow and ice cover, hot summers, and the free ranging of loose herds. In each of the four cooperatives studied, most of the old siida herds were combined, and one solution to handling large, loose herds was to build fences between cooperatives. Since the 1990s, all four cooperatives have used diverse herding and pasture rotation strategies to cope with the critical winter months. The herding techniques and the human-reindeer relationship in the fell cooperatives have differed from those in the forest cooperatives mainly because of differences in pasture types, topography, and microclimate. The contrast can be seen particularly in snow and ice conditions, as open fell regions have a thin and compact snow cover, whereas forest regions typically have deep, soft snow. This research shows that the resonance strategies of Sámi reindeer herders are both heterogeneous and dynamic: herders change them constantly, drawing on both old and new techniques to deal with the variable weather.

Past and Present Winter Feeding of Reindeer in Finland: Herders’ Adaptive Learning of Feeding Practices

“…Intensive herding was replaced with extensive or loose herding in the southern part of the herding area following the disruption caused by the Second World War. Extensive herding is characterized by the free ranging of large herds, which are gathered only for calf marking in summer and roundups in autumn (Helle and Jaakkola, 2008;Vuojala-Magga et al, 2011). In the north, the "snowmobile revolution" sparked a transformation from intensive to extensive herding by the 1960s (Pelto et al, 1968;Müller-Wille, 1975;Helle and Jaakkola, 2008).…”

“…Overgrazing caused by high reindeer densities and inadequate or lacking pasture rotation systems has also greatly contributed to the trend (Forbes et al, 2006;Heikkinen, 2006;Kortesalmi, 2007;Mattila and Mikkola, 2009;Kumpula et al, 2011;Jaakkola et al, 2013). The marked reindeer losses of the 1960s and 1970s were due to poor digging conditions caused by deep snow cover and ground icing or to moldy vegetation (Helle and Saastamoinen, 1979;Kumpula et al, 2000;Vuojala-Magga et al, 2011). The increased energy consumption these conditions required weakened the animals, lowered calf percentages, and ultimately led to animals' perishing (Helle and Kojola, 2008;Vuojala-Magga et al, 2011).…”

“…The marked reindeer losses of the 1960s and 1970s were due to poor digging conditions caused by deep snow cover and ground icing or to moldy vegetation (Helle and Saastamoinen, 1979;Kumpula et al, 2000;Vuojala-Magga et al, 2011). The increased energy consumption these conditions required weakened the animals, lowered calf percentages, and ultimately led to animals' perishing (Helle and Kojola, 2008;Vuojala-Magga et al, 2011). Reindeer numbers then peaked in the 1980s as a result of extensive herding, favorable weather and snow conditions (FMI, 2013;RHA, 2013), the adoption of a slaughter system focusing on calves, and antiparasite medication.…”

Observed cold season changes in a Fennoscandian fell area over the past three decades

“…In Fennoscandia, reindeer herding has been relatively well adapted to various snow and weather conditions in environments with snow cover for seven or more months per year (Riseth et al 2010;Vuojala-Magga et al 2011). During the winter season, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) feed mainly on ground-growing lichens (mainly Cladina spp.…”

Seasonality of habitat selection shown to buffer alpine reindeer pastoralism against climate variability

“…Although the extent to which the geographical distribution of organisms might be affected by climate warming is unclear, it is likely that areas with climatic conditions suitable for cold-adapted species will decrease significantly under climate warming (Ruiz-Labourdette et al 2012). Several studies suggest that arctic-alpine pastoralism might thus be extremely vulnerable to projected future climate changes (Post and Forchhammer 2002, Tyler et al 2007, Moen 2008, Rees et al 2008, Riseth et al 2010, Vuojala-Magga et al 2011. But the climate-driven variability of habitat selection of large herbivores has not been explicitly analyzed before.…”