Use and abuse of reindeer range

摘要: In consequence of variations in geology and soils, climate, its wide extent longitude, latitude altitude, the Scandinavian mountain chain exhibits major natural conditions. Nature is constantly influenced by processes that include both forces human activity.In early 1990s, there was an intense media debate about current damage to montane vegetation, which many believed they could observe.In 1992, World Wide Foundation for Nature, WWF, invited representatives responsible authorities, reindeer-husbandry interests, voluntary conservation bodies interested researchers a conference, which, somewhat erroneously, came be called 'Reindeer grazing conference', but included spectrum factors can affect vegetation.One result this conference that, 1993, WWF initiated research project, extending over several years, intended provide information temporal changes vegetation.Experimental areas distributed along Swedish were selected: southernmost are on Fulufjallet Dalama, northernmost ea. 15 km S Tavvavuoma Lapland. (Some placenames given modern North-Saamish spelling Appendix 2) The vegetation types studied Grass heath, Meadow with low herbs, Dry Birch forest-heath type lichens mosses. These cover all important reindeer.At study sites, six adjacent plots selected, half fenced deny access larger herbivores, left open herbivores. composition plant communities field, bottom tree layer estimated 1995-96, re-estimated three four years later.Generally, marginal or no effects enclosure seen communities, differences between types.Up end 19th century, travellers region, Saami outsiders, ocularly assessed cover. As rule, reported good supply reindeer fodder plants, especially lichen species.From began observations severely denuded cover, exposed veritable invasion from north-Norwegian north-Finnish areas. Incomers those introduced extensive form husbandry, developed suit conditions Finnmarksvidda Finland, where large herds readily find well-demarcated headlands islands during snowfree season, without much supervision.The conflicts interest incomers, indigenous who wished carry intensive closely supervised herds, great. From beginning 20th state interventions, commissions enquiry field surveys, instituted. Their aim resolve existing conflicts, ensure sustainable grazing, satisfactory profitability. results cannot said have been satisfactory.