A1 Journal article (refereed)
Land-use and climate related drivers of change in the reindeer management system in Finland : Geography of perceptions (2021)

Rasmus, S., Wallen, H., Turunen, M., Landauer, M., Tahkola, J., Jokinen, M., & Laaksonen, S. (2021). Land-use and climate related drivers of change in the reindeer management system in Finland : Geography of perceptions. Applied Geography, 134, Article 102501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2021.102501

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Rasmus, Sirpa; Wallen, Henri; Turunen, Minna; Landauer, Mia; Tahkola, Juho; Jokinen, Mikko; Laaksonen, Sauli

Journal or series: Applied Geography

ISSN: 0143-6228

eISSN: 1873-7730

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 134

Article number: 102501

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2021.102501

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77681

Abstract

Drivers of change in the reindeer management system are rather well-known. But when developing the governance to support the traditional livelihoods, it is crucial to understand also practitioner perceptions. Systematic research on these is lacking. We analyzed the land-use and climate related drivers within the reindeer management area (RMA) in Finland, and, using a perception geography approach, studied the herder perceptions towards these. We conducted an on-site questionnaire survey with herders from 51 herding districts. Factors directly affecting the welfare of reindeer were perceived as crucial by herders, for example basal icing affecting the forage availability, and land-use related factors limiting the seasonal pasture access. Perceptions of herders on biophysical factors were rather homogeneous. The regional heterogeneities in perceptions towards land-use related factors could be explained by spatial differences in land-use and varying herding traditions. Cumulative land-use impacts raised particular concerns. Our approach can be utilized in the co-planning of the northern land-use and more widely in the co-management of natural resources.

Keywords: reindeer management; reindeer management areas; reindeer hearding; climate changes; land use

Free keywords: climate change; cumulative effects; land use; Northern Fennoscandia; practitioner knowledge; reindeer husbandry

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2