Lichen ranges, animal densities and production in Finnish reindeer management

Helle, Timo; Kilpelä, S.-S.; Aikio, Pekka

doi:10.7557/2.10.3.840

Cited by 24 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The shape of the correlation that we found between reindeer density on a lichen range and the condition of the lichen range was quite similar to that reported by Helle et al (1990). It seems that when reindeer density on lichen ranges increases from very few to 5 -7 animals per km 2 , the condition of lichen ranges deteriorates rapidly.…”

Section: Standing Biomass Potential Recovery Rate and Productivity Osupporting

confidence: 73%

Condition, Potential Recovery Rate, and Productivity of Lichen (<i>Cladonia</i> spp.) Ranges in the Finnish Reindeer Management Area

Kumpula¹,

Colpaert²,

Nieminen³

2000

ARCTIC

101

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ABSTRACT. The focus of the work was to investigate dependency between reindeer density and lichen (Cladonia spp.) ranges in the Finnish semidomesticated reindeer management area. Secondly, we formed a model on the recovery rate of ungrazed woodland lichen ranges (29 sites) after forest fires to evaluate the potential productivity and time needed for Finnish lichen ranges to recover at optimal production. During 1974 -95, 59% of the variation in mean semidomesticated reindeer density (range: 0.7-3.0 reindeer/km 2 of the total land area) among the reindeer herding districts in Finland was explained by the proportion of land area covered by lichen ranges in these districts. Reindeer densities were highest in the districts where lichen ranges covered 20% to 30% of the area. Reindeer density on the total land area did not explain the condition of lichen ranges, but 58% of the condition was explained by the reindeer density on the lichen ranges. A condition level for lichen ranges of 1000 kg dry matter per hectare (d.m./ha) of lichen biomass can be considered adequate to ensure survival of reindeer and continued production of lichen. To maintain this level within the sedentary Finnish grazing system, winter reindeer densities on lichen ranges must remain below 5-7 reindeer/km 2 . According to our model, the maximum amount of living lichen in the woodland lichen stand at the climax stage is on average about 7000 kg d.m./ha. The maximum annual yield of lichen (175 kg d.m./ha) is produced by lichen stands that contain 2600-2800 kg d.m./ha of living lichen. Using our model and our 1995 -96 data, we calculated that the average lichen biomass on lichen ranges in the Finnish reindeer management districts was 13.0% of this optimum, and the average lichen production was 36% of the possible maximum annual yield. Our model indicates that the Finnish lichen ranges would have to remain ungrazed for an average of 18 years to recover to maximum production levels. However, the average time needed for the lichen ranges to recover to the level of 1000 kg lichen d.m./ha, would be only about 7 years.Key words: Rangifer, reindeer, Cladonia, lichen, pastures, condition, recovery, productivity RÉSUMÉ. Ces travaux portent tout d'abord sur l'étude de la dépendance existant entre la densité du renne et les grands pâturages de lichen (Cladonia spp.) dans le secteur finlandais de gestion du renne semi-domestique. Ensuite, on a conçu un modèle en se fondant sur le taux de récupération, après des incendies de forêt, d'étendues naturelles (29 emplacements) de lichen forestier non pâturées, en vue d'évaluer la productivité potentielle et le temps nécessaire aux grands pâturages de lichen finlandais pour récupérer à une production optimale. De 1974 à 1995, 59 p. cent de la variation dans la densité moyenne du renne semi-domestique (fourchette de 0,7 à 3,0 renne/km 2 de superficie totale des terres), parmi les districts où se trouvent les troupeaux de rennes en Finlande, s'expliquaient par la proportion du territoire qui était couvert par des pâturage...

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Section: Standing Biomass Potential Recovery Rate and Productivity Osupporting

confidence: 73%

Condition, Potential Recovery Rate, and Productivity of Lichen (<i>Cladonia</i> spp.) Ranges in the Finnish Reindeer Management Area

Kumpula¹,

Colpaert²,

Nieminen³

2000

ARCTIC

101

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“…At densities of 1.03 to 1.41 reindeer per km 2 , females become sexually mature and conceive for the first time when just over 1-year old, which suggests this density is compatible with optimal range (Reimers et al, 1983). In contrast, a density of 4 reindeer per km 2 is too high to sustain lichen heath at optimal condition in Finland (Helle et al, 1990). Observations from Svalbard (Norway) support this.…”

Section: And Aftermentioning

confidence: 48%

West Greenland caribou explosion: What happened? What about the future?

Cuyler

2007

Ran

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In West Greenland, the 1993 caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) population size estimate was 7000 to 9000 animals. Eight years later in 2001, the estimate was ca. 140 000. Relatively rapid rise and fall cycles of abundance in West Greenland caribou have been noted since the 1700s. Caribou have no natural predators in West Greenland. Combined with their high fertility and recruitment, this suggests that overabundance might be their greatest threat to stability. The 2005 population surveys indicate poor recruitment in two major populations and decreasing abundance in one. Given stocking densities are three to six-times the value considered sustainable, we expect strong competition between individuals for available food resources. Although the management goal is sustainable harvest of natural resources, if populations continue at their current size or increase further, there is a clear risk of range overgrazing and trampling. Unsustainable range use may result in density-dependent forage limitation with subsequent relatively rapid population decline over a series of years, e.g. a decade. As in the past, populations are expected to recover, and if true to the past, recovery will take the better part of a century. Furthermore, the role of catastrophic weather events may be of major importance. Abrupt collapse could be precipitated by a disastrous single year event, e.g. thaw-freeze icing or deep snow, because possibilities for dispersal to new ranges are limited. Regardless of management initiatives taken now, population declines or crashes may be inevitable for some West Greenland herds in the foreseeable future, but accurate predictions about herd trends are impossible. To understand the potential impact of future developments, Greenland caribou and their range must be studied within the wider context of climate change.

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“…To date, Finnish reindeer management statistics have been used in several studies regarding the demography and productivity of reindeer in Finland (e.g. Helle et al, 1990;Kumpula & Nieminen, 1992;Helle & Kojola, 1993;Kojola & Helle, 1993a;b;Kumpula et al, 1998a).…”

Section: Basic Knowledge and Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There exist several studies on wild and semi-domesticated reindeer populations where many of these interactions have been examined (Klein, 1968;Alendal & Byrkjedal, 1974;Gossow, 1974;Reimers, 1977;Skogland, 1983;1986;Helle et al, 1990;Kumpula & Nieminen, 1992;Cameron & Smith, 1993;Helle & Kojola, 1993;Kojola & Helle, 1993a;b;Kojola et al, 1995). However, adopting these relationships directly in another area is not necessarily valid because of differences from one area to another in vegetation, pasture types, topography, weather and snow conditions.…”

Section: Interactions To Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing an ecologically and economically more stable semi-domestic reindeer management - a Finnish point of view

Kumpula¹

1999

Ran

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In arctic and sub-arctic regions semi-domestic reindeer management forms an important livelihood which should be able to provide enough income for herders. Reindeer management has natural limits of growth. Consequently it should be managed to optimise both the use of reindeer pastures and herder income. Reindeer pastures should be grazed at the economic carrying capabity level. This gives the maximum sustained harvest from reindeer stock and also the maximum sustained foraging from pastures. How is this to be accomplished? First, reliable knowledge about reindeer pastures in time and place is necessary: to estimate the quantity and quality of specific reindeer pastures within each management district, as well as the productive capacity and the changes in condition and productivity of those pastures. Secondly, data is needed on the accurate productivity of reindeer stock and the production costs for each management district. Thirdly, study the relationships between pasture resources and productivity of reindeer stock together with the effects of long-term reindeer densities on pasture condition and productivity. Finally, knowledge is needed about the effects of herd structure on reindeer stock productivity as well as the factors which restrict the use of reindeer pastures. Models based on adequate data could provide a useful tool for optimising the use of reindeer pastures and herder income. First the economic carrying capacity of reindeer pastures should be studied. Subsequently the economy of reindeer husbandry could be modelled with respect to reindeer stock density. Also the economy of reindeer husbandry based on different levels of feeding, and the effects of this husbandry practice on pastures, should be modelled. Models should be accurate and flexible enough to use when looking for solutions to practical questions and challenges in reindeer management.

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Lichen ranges, animal densities and production in Finnish reindeer management

Cited by 24 publications

References 6 publications

Condition, Potential Recovery Rate, and Productivity of Lichen (<i>Cladonia</i> spp.) Ranges in the Finnish Reindeer Management Area

Condition, Potential Recovery Rate, and Productivity of Lichen (<i>Cladonia</i> spp.) Ranges in the Finnish Reindeer Management Area

West Greenland caribou explosion: What happened? What about the future?

Developing an ecologically and economically more stable semi-domestic reindeer management - a Finnish point of view

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