People and pines 1555–1910: integrating ecology, history and archaeology to assess long-term resource use in northern Fennoscandia

Abstract

Context Past human land use has received increasing attention as an important driver of ecosystem change also in seemingly natural landscapes. Quantification of historical land use is therefore critical for assessing the degree of human impact and requires integration of ecology, history and archaeology. Objective This study aims to assess and compare levels of resource use by different actors during 355 years across a large landscape of northern Sweden. Method Data on resource use derived from case studies were extrapolated using demographic data to estimate harvested resources at the landscape scale. Here, we examined the use of the key-specie Scots pine by native Sami peoples and farmers and through commercial logging, and reconstructed historical forest conditions in order to interpret harvest levels and sustainability. Results We show that (1) the pre-industrial use of Scots pine resources in Pite Lappmark was sustainable from a landscape perspective, and (2) that the early commercial logging, in contrast, was not sustainable. Large and old Scots pine trees were logged at a very high rate, reaching up to 300 % of the annual ingrowth. Conclusion We suggest that historical landscape studies should incorporate analysis at different spatial scales, as such an approach can mirror the overall use of resources. Only then can land use data be applied across larger spatial scales, function as reference values and be compared to those of other regions, time-periods and types of human impact.

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

“…Reindeer husbandry to a large degree maintains a land-use culture that has survived for ca. 1000 years (Aronsson, 1994;Andersen, 2011), and makes use of available natural resources in a sustainable way (Rautio et al, 2016).…”

Pre‐industrial landscape composition patterns and post‐industrial changes at the temperate–boreal forest interface in western Quebec, Canada

“…Consequently, it seems likely that the Algonquin population used to manage this area and that they promoted dominance of white cedar and pines through smallscale surface burning or other management practices. Localized modification by the native community within the forest landscape have been widely documented across northeastern America (Delcourt & Delcourt 2004;Black et al 2006;Munoz et al 2014) and northern Europe (Josefsson et al 2009(Josefsson et al , 2010Rautio et al 2016).…”

Defining a mountain landscape characterized by grazing using actor perception, governmental strategy, and environmental monitoring data

“…Next to traditional knowledge and historical human use of the mountainous landscape (Norstedt et al 2014;Östlund et al 2015;Ratio et al 2016), we conclude that recent reindeer spatial distribution and habitat selection can contribute to describe a "Grazed Landscape" and thereby help to frame its definition. Furthermore, recent distribution of reindeer and in combination with recent status on vegetation and landscape structure given by remotely-sensed data can help to identify areas that need stronger impact by herbivory.…”

“…The Swedish mountain area, considered as one of the most pristine environments in Europe, is no exception to this situation (Moen 2006;Swedish EPA 2014;Tolvanen and Kangas 2016;Lindahl et al 2018). Being a Sami cultural landscape, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) husbandry and reindeer have utilized the landscape for centuries (Josefsson et al 2009;Norstedt et al 2014;Östlund et al 2015;Ratio et al 2016). Historical data documents identify three critical resources for Sami communities of equal importance today: alpine heath together with subalpine birch forest, pine-dominated forests, and fishing waters (Norstedt et al 2014).…”