Reindeer husbandry in Finland [1].
The paper provides statistic data on reindeer husbandry in Finland, presents locations involved and managerial approaches.
Reindeer husbandry in Finland takes place in Province of Lapland and partly in Province Oulu. The total area, occupied by reindeer husbandry reaches over one third of the total country area.
There are 56 reindeer herding cooperatives, where each cooperative has separate area for herding (the map is provided).
In 2002/2003, 5,344 reindeer owners were registered, where 800 – 1000 were Saami people, and the rest were Finns.
Saami reindeer pastoralism under climate change: Applying a generalized framework for vulnerability studies to a sub-arctic social–ecological system [2].
The paper describes different factors which may affect reindeer pastoralism in Finnmark (Northern Norway) and cause change of husbandry approaches and traditions.
Saami reindeer herders, having nomadic life-style, change pastures twice a year. In summer season (from April-May to September) they use the most northern coastal mountainous part of Finnmark (70°N and higher latitudes), and in winter time they drive their herds to the southern upland parts of Finnmark (about 65°N and lower latitudes) featured drier environmental conditions than coastal parts. The map of the routs is provided. In 2004, about 2000 reindeer owners were registered in Finnmark that amounted to 75% of all reindeer owners in Norway.
Large-scale climate change may have influence on pastures productivity. Among other significant reasons of ranges loss is infrastructure development (construction of dams, power lines, roads). The latter has caused the loss of about 35% of productive coastal pastures in Finnmark during the last 50 years.
Climate Change: Effects on the Ecological Basis for Reindeer Husbandry in Sweden [3].
In Sweden, reindeer husbandry is spread to the north, occupying about 40% of the country (the map is provided). The husbandry is based on migratory system. In summer, alpine ranges close to Norwegian boarder are the most preferable for reindeer prosperity, while in winter time herds should be driven to pine heaths in the boreal forests closer to the Baltic Sea.