The decreasing availability of reindeer forage in boreal forests during snow cover periods: A Sámi pastoral landscape perspective in Sweden

Abstract

This paper argues that Sámi reindeer pastoralism in Sweden is highly stressed during the critical snow cover periods due to large-scale human interventions, especially forestry, and that these have over time significantly worsened the ecological conditions for natural grazing-based responses to changing snow conditions caused by climate change. Informed by a literature review, the paper conceptualises two, overlapping ecological dynamics that shape the availability of lichen as key forage resources within a Sámi pastoral landscape perspective: the grazing dynamics of reindeer during snow cover periods as determined by climatic stochasticity, and the more predictable vegetation dynamics of lichen habitat formation, growth and sustenance based on structured forestry practices. This could help articulate an intervention ecology that pursues sustainable ecological conditions for natural grazing-based Sámi reindeer pastoralism, along with other goals. As such alternatives are likely to face political resistance, the article discusses the implications of its findings within a science–politics interface.

Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for production forests: Trade-offs, synergies, and uncertainties in biodiversity and ecosystem services delivery in Northern Europe

“…The adoption of CCAMS was contrasted with the reference in terms of projected changes to forest biodiversity, and ES, specifically provisioning services (biomass production, carbon sequestration), cultural services (recreational values, aesthetics), and regulatory services ameliorating abiotic (wind, fire, drought) and biotic risks (pests, pathogens, large herbivore browsing). We also highlight the implications for lichens, due to their direct relevance to biodiversity and often as forage for Saami reindeer Rangifer tarandus herds (Harnesk 2022 ). Our selection of ES topics targeted issues frequently raised by the many forest stakeholders (production outcomes, damage risk, recreation, biodiversity) (Lodin et al 2017 ).…”

Strategies of the Sámi movement in Sweden: mobilization around grievances related to the ecological conditions of reindeer pastoralism, 2012–2022

“…Reindeer pastoralism is based on Sámi pastoral landscapes (Harnesk 2022): free-ranging semi-domesticated reindeer that use natural pastures within highly variable, multi-purpose landscapes that include areas suitable for calving and migration pathways with resting pastures, ideally within continuous pasturelands for each of the eight pastoral seasons (Horstkotte et al 2014, Holand et al 2022). In the annual herding cycle, access to safe winter pasturelands is absolutely vital, as the herd's survival depends on access to key forage resources (Holand et al 2022).…”

“…Although pastoralists represent a minority of the population, reindeer pastoralism is an important cultural and livelihood practice for the Sámi people (Sámi Parliament 2023). These practices are threatened by the cumulative effects of not only encroachments from industrial land use, but also the impacts of climate change on snow conditions and predator pressure, with many pastoralists periodically having to rely on artificial feeding (Harnesk 2022. In response, the Sámi movement in Sweden has over 100 years of experience of mobilizing against the state, notably conflicts over land, water, and natural resources (Lantto 2000, Lantto and Mörkenstam 2008, 2015, and it is timely to take stock of how the movement is developing, given the threat of further environmental and climatic change.…”

Adapted forest management to improve the potential for reindeer husbandry in Northern Sweden

“…In forestry, individual forest stands and property boundaries usually constitute the landscape in focus. In reindeer husbandry on the other hand, focus is on a much larger pastoral landscape that at times also spans several grazing seasons (Sandström 2015 ; Harnesk 2022 ). Furthermore, Roturier and Roué ( 2009 ) discuss the Sami word and concept guohtun that in addition to explaining the amount of grazing resources, also incorporates the distribution and accessibility of grazing resources.…”

“…The mountain RHCs migrate between the forestland and the mountains, while the forest RHCs migrate within the forestland. A functional wintering area for reindeer consists of a varied forest landscape that offers grazing opportunities at different weather and snow conditions (Roturier and Roué 2009 ; Harnesk 2022 ; Horstkotte et al 2022 ). Besides the availability of lichen, important issues for reindeer herders include mobility through forests for both reindeer and herders, in particular along migration routes.…”