1. |
- Arndt, D. S., et al.
(author)
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STATE OF THE CLIMATE IN 2017
- 2018
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In: Bulletin of The American Meteorological Society - (BAMS). - : American Meteorological Society. - 0003-0007 .- 1520-0477. ; 99:8, s. S1-S310
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Research review (peer-reviewed)
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2. |
- Barrio, I. C., et al.
(author)
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Biotic interactions mediate patterns of herbivore diversity in the Arctic
- 2016
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In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1466-822X .- 1466-8238. ; 25:9, s. 1108-1118
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: Understanding the forces shaping biodiversity patterns, particularly for groups of organisms with key functional roles, will help predict the responses of ecosystems to environmental changes. Our aim was to evaluate the relative role of different drivers in shaping the diversity patterns of vertebrate herbivores, a group of organisms exerting a strong trophic influence in terrestrial Arctic ecosystems. This biome, traditionally perceived as homogeneous and low in biodiversity, includes wide variation in biotic and physical conditions and is currently undergoing major environmental change. Location: The Arctic (including the High Arctic, Low Arctic and Subarctic) MethodsWe compiled available data on vertebrate (birds and mammals) herbivore distribution at a pan-Arctic scale, and used eight variables that represent the most relevant hypotheses for explaining patterns of species richness. We used range maps rasterized on a 100kmx100km equal-area grid to analyse richness patterns of all vertebrate herbivore species combined, and birds and mammalian herbivores separately. Results: Overall, patterns of herbivore species richness in the Arctic were positively related to plant productivity (measured using the normalized difference vegetation index) and to the species richness of predators. Greater species richness of herbivores was also linked to areas with a higher mean annual temperature. Species richness of avian and mammalian herbivores were related to the distance from the coast, with the highest avian richness in coastal areas and mammalian richness peaking further inland. Main conclusions: Herbivore richness in the Arctic is most strongly linked to primary productivity and the species richness of predators. Our results suggest that biotic interactions, with either higher or lower trophic levels or both, can drive patterns of species richness at a biome-wide scale. Rapid ongoing environmental changes in the Arctic are likely to affect herbivore diversity through impacts on both primary productivity and changes in predator communities via range expansion of predators from lower latitudes.
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4. |
- Eilola, Salla, et al.
(author)
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Perceptions on and impacts of environmental changes under multiple stressors : a case study from two communities in northern Fennoscandia
- 2024
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In: Regional Environmental Change. - : Springer Nature. - 1436-3798 .- 1436-378X. ; 24:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Against the backcloth of particularly fast environmental change in the Arctic, this study juxtaposes local perceptions of environmental change in two communities in the boreal zone of Northern Europe with scientific data. The local knowledge was gathered through an online participatory mapping survey among the two communities and scientific evidence was gathered from various peer-reviewed and official monitoring sources. Local knowledge of environmental change in Savukoski (Finland) resembles that in Jokkmokk (Sweden). Most perceived changes are in line with scientific studies, public discourse, and local concerns in the Arctic. What differs, however, is the degree of correspondence between local and scientific knowledge on certain phenomena: some dynamics are well documented in both local and scientific observations whereas other dynamics require more nuanced scientific research, particularly considering their relevance for local livelihoods. Among these are: berry yields, the abundance of mosquitoes and other Nematocera, peatland thaw and frost, and changes in river and lake ice conditions. It is noteworthy that in both Savukoski and Jokkmokk, for many people the most impactful changes are caused by resource extraction rather than climate change. Local concerns and perceptions of environmental change are not all shared nor easily translate into adaptation strategies, but nonetheless they have clear policy implications.
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5. |
- Holand, Øystein, et al.
(author)
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Reindeer pastoralism in Fennoscandia
- 2022
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In: Reindeer Husbandry and Global Environmental Change. - London : Routledge. - 9781000593402 - 9780367632670 ; , s. 7-47
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This introductory chapter presents reindeer pastoralism as a social-ecological system and outlines its essential components. Reindeer herders – the pastoralists of the north, the reindeer and the natural environment of Fennoscandia – are briefly introduced. The chapter describes how different historical, natural and social environments lead to different management forms in Finland, Norway and Sweden. Further, it provides a historical overview of reindeer pastoralism deeply embedded in Sámi and local culture and gives some key statistics of the situation today. Finally, it outlines the major challenges that reindeer pastoralism is facing today within the three Fennoscandian countries. This chapter therefore provides the background for the detailed analyses in the main part of this book.
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6. |
- Horstkotte, Tim, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Contested boreal landscapes – consequences of different forest management priorities
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- When managing natural resources, the requirements of several stakeholders often need to be considered, as their competing aims and interests need to be delivered in different ways. Agreeing on trade-offs and finding optimal solutions is often a demanding task, particularly if the actions of one land user make it difficult for others to utilize natural resources in a specific way.In this case study, we explore the consequences of two different forest management scenarios on forest characteristics and economic gains in two particular study areas in the Swedish boreal forest. The management strategies differ by prioritizing either i) forest characteristics that sustain reindeer grazing or ii) timber production as practiced in Swedish forestry today. However, simplifications that affect our models include the assumption of only one landowner and a management focus on the stand level. Further, we do not evaluate the direct consequences of the two scenarios on reindeer husbandry, as only selected parts of the winter grazing grounds are considered.Depending on the management strategy, forest characteristics differ, e.g. the composition of age classes or timber volume. Compared to management for timber production, forests managed for reindeer grazing are characterized by a higher abundance of older age classes with larger trees, but lower stem density. We found that, over a 100 year period, these forest characteristics generated revenues of approximately 80 % of those resulting from management focused on timber production.These differences and their resulting consequences illustrate the contrasting preferences for particular forest characteristics of the two land users. However, to understand them as principles for potential trade-offs, they have to be interpreted carefully in relation to the range of possible management options available to achieve sustainability in the multiple-use situation of Swedish boreal forests, as well as to enhance their cultural and biological value.
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7. |
- Horstkotte, Tim, 1981-
(author)
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Contested Landscapes : social-ecological interactions between forestry and reindeer husbandry
- 2013
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Throughout northern Fennoscandia, reindeer husbandry is a central part in the cultural heritage of the Sámi people. In its history, Sámi culture and reindeer husbandry have undergone significant adaptations to environmental, social and political challenges. Landscape changes on the winter grazing grounds were mainly driven by resource exploitation, especially by industrialized forestry. Important grazing resources were lost, i.e. terrestrial and arboreal lichens that constitute essential key elements in the herding year.In my thesis, I explore the consequences of these transformations in Swedish boreal forests for reindeer husbandry. The multi-disciplinary approach integrates interview studies, ecological fieldwork and theoretical modeling of forest development.I emphasize the understanding of landscapes as multi-dimensional concepts with ecological, social and economic components. They interact in determining the amount of landscape fragmentation in physical or administrative ways, or in enabling reindeer herders to move between different landscape elements. These elements, e.g. forest stands of different ages, can react differently to winter weather. Thus, they enable reindeer herders to adjust their grazing grounds according to the availability of forage, mediated by snow conditions. However, forestry practices have reduced the abundance of old-growth forests, and therewith the functionality of the landscape. By comparing snow conditions in different forest types, I show that multi-layered canopies can offer a more diverse pattern of snow hardness. However, the interaction between forest characteristics with snow is strongly dependent on weather conditions, e.g. the timing and intensity of warm spells. The prevalence of single-layered forest stands therefore can lead to a reduction in snow variability and potentially restricts the availability of suitable grazing grounds for reindeer. If snow conditions hinder reindeer in foraging on terrestrial lichens, old forests formerly supplied reindeer with arboreal lichens. I show how industrial forestry has reduced the availability of this emergency forage by the reduction of old forests and increased landscape fragmentation and analyze the consequences of different management strategies on future habitat availability for arboreal lichens. By integrating these results into a model of forest management, I offer insights into consequences arising from different priorities that either favor timber production or the development of lichen-rich grazing grounds.In conclusion, I emphasize the importance of landscape diversity, as well as the ability to make use of this diversity, as a source of adaptability of reindeer husbandry to changes in grazing conditions by e.g. winter weather dynamics. A shared future of reindeer husbandry and forestry could be fostered by encouraging the social-ecological co-evolution of multiple use landscapes and the enhancement of the cultural and biological significance of the Swedish boreal forests.
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8. |
- Horstkotte, Tim, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Does forest stand structure impact the dynamics of snow on winter grazing grounds of reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus)?
- 2013
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In: Forest Ecology and Management. - : Elsevier. - 0378-1127 .- 1872-7042. ; 291, s. 162-171
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The landscape in boreal Sweden is dominated by even-aged, single-layered forest monocultures and clearcuts. Few forest stands with a more complex, multi-layered structure remain as landscape elements. Westudied the impact that different forest management regimes have on snow conditions and the metamorphosisof snow, and discuss how these factors may affect suitability for reindeer grazing.Over two winters, we recorded the development of snow depth and hardness in clear cuts and two differentforest types, and their changes with weather events. In the forests, the dynamics of snow characteristicswere analyzed in relation to stand structure and at the level of individual trees.There were no clear differences in snow characteristics between single-layered and multi-layeredstands, although snow hardness was more variable in the latter. In single-layered stands, snow depthand hardness were spatially uniformly distributed in relation to stand characteristics. Contrastingly,the complex structure of multi-layered stands did influence snow depth significantly. However, hardnesswas highly heterogeneous in these stands. Due to the absence of tree effects, clear cuts had deeper butsofter snow than forested stands, although hardness increased towards spring.Weather affected the metamorphosis of the snow blanket. The magnitude of the effects depended onboth timing and severity of discrete weather events and forest structure, but generally weather had agreater influence on snow cover characteristics than forest structure per se. In their interaction withweather, different forest structures affect the snow and thus suitability as winter grazing area for reindeer.Reindeer herders, therefore, require diversity in the landscape in order to respond to such weathervariations and their impact on grazing conditions.
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9. |
- Horstkotte, Tim, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Exploring the multiple use of boreal landscapes : the importance of social-ecological diversity for mobility and flexibility
- 2014
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In: Human Ecology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0300-7839 .- 1572-9915. ; 42:5, s. 671-682
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sustainable multiple use of landscapes can be a challenging task for the stakeholders involved, especially when they have competing interests with respect to natural resource management. In this paper we analyze the consequences associated with “landscape diversity”, including the interactions between environmental, administrative and societal factors. As a case study, we describe winter land use for reindeer husbandry in the boreal forest in Northern Sweden, a resource that is also used for commercial timber production. We show how and why the interactions between the three factors associated with landscape diversity affect reindeer herding and the options for responding to change. Multi-dimensional landscape diversity can either (i) promote flexibility in the face of change in the form of mobility or (ii) create fragmentation that restricts adaption to changes. This is a result of the dynamic patterns of diverse landscape structures, created by administrative and societal choices. Because such landscape patterns react differently to environmental variability within a season and between years, landscape functions adjusted to the dynamics of environmental variables could help to provide continuity of grazing resources in both space and time and ensure that reindeer husbandry remains resilient to changes. Because of the unequal distribution of power and capacity for decision making, social learning between the two stakeholders can help to balance trade-offs between both types of land user, allowing them to coexist in a landscape shaped by diverse values, priorities and management practices.
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10. |
- Horstkotte, Tim, et al.
(author)
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Human-animal agency in reindeer management : Sami herders' perspectives on vegetation dynamics under climate change
- 2017
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In: Ecosphere. - : WILEY. - 2150-8925 .- 2150-8925. ; 8:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many primary livelihoods in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions experience accelerating effects of environmental change. The often close connection between indigenous peoples and their respective territories allows them to make detailed observations of how these changes transform the landscapes where they practice their daily activities. Here, we report Sami reindeer herders' observations based on their long-term inhabitance and use of contrasting pastoral landscapes in northern Fennoscandia. In particular, we focus on the capacity for various herd management regimes to prevent a potential transformation of open tundra vegetation to shrubland or woodland. Sami herders did not confirm a substantial, rapid, or large-scale transformation of treeless tundra areas into shrub-and/or woodlands. However, where they observe encroachment of open tundra landscapes, a range of factors was deemed responsible. These included abiotic conditions, anthropogenic influences, and the direct and indirect effects of reindeer. The advance of the mountain birch tree line was in some cases associated with reduced or discontinued grazing and firewood cutting, depending on the seasonal significance of these particular areas. Where the tree line has risen in elevation and/or latitude, herding practices have by necessity adapted to these changes. Exploiting the capacity of reindeer impacts on vegetation as a conservation tool offers time-tested adaptive strategies of ecosystem management to counteract a potential encroachment of the tundra by woody plants. However, novel solutions in environmental governance involve difficult trade-offs for ecologically sustainable, economically viable, and socially desirable management strategies.
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