Wild reindeer as a keystone cultural and ecological species in the Eurasian north

Abstract

Wild reindeer as a keystone cultural and ecological species in the Eurasian northThe story of terrestrial ecosystems of northern Eurasia is a story of the wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus, various). Much like the caribou for northern North America, we can consider the wild reindeer, in all its forms, a keystone species for cultural and ecological health of the northern Eurasia. For centuries, domesticated wild reindeer supported nomadic lifestyles and the survival of many Indigenous peoples in this region. This Arctic ruminant, having adapted to the seasonal changes and transitions, where applicable between the tundra and taiga forest habitats, is central to the traditions and cultures of the local and Indigenous peoples of the region (providing food, cultural and social services, clothing, sense of security and place-making).

Climate change and extreme events are changing the biology of Polar Regions

“…Understanding the complex interactions between physical and biological changes (Meire et al, 2017; Spencer et al, 2019; Thorson et al, 2020) will be vital to predicting the future of polar ecosystems and adopting appropriate management strategies (Constable, 2022; Mumby et al, 2017; Mustonen, 2022).…”

“…Climate change increasingly threatens many facets of Arctic livelihoods, particularly for Indigenous People. In northern Eurasia, wild reindeer are central to the traditions and cultures of local and Indigenous people (providing food, clothing, cultural and social services; Loe et al, 2020; Mustonen, 2022). Reindeer stocks are in decline due to multiple effects including overharvesting, land use changes and climate change.…”

“…Human health risks associated with food insecurity, contamination of food, and foodborne and waterborne disease are amplified for those reliant on the environment for subsistence (Alava et al, 2017; Constable et al, 2022). Climate‐resilient adaptation pathways in the Arctic must involve indigenous communities and embrace traditional knowledge (Mustonen, 2022).…”

“…The contraction of polar climate, and especially sea ice zones, is leading to shifts in distributions, as ranges for cold‐specialists contract (Bao et al, 2022; Descamps et al, 2017; Mustonen, 2022; Stirling & Derocher, 2012). Whilst some species may benefit from increased ranges, there are additional risks from invasive and expanding species (Chan et al, 2019; Chown et al, 2022; McCarthy et al, 2019; Neukermans et al, 2018).…”

Assessing current visual tooth wear age estimation methods for Rangifer tarandus using a known age sample from Canada

“…These animals are widespread across much of northern Eurasia and North America [20][21][22][23], and their remains are frequently found in abundance at archaeological sites beginning in the Late Pleistocene [e.g., [24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Furthermore, reindeer and caribou, in both wild and domestic forms, continue to be essential to maintaining ways of life and well-being for many northern peoples [23,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45].…”