Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2009. / Thesis documentation sheet inserted. Includes appendix with reprints of two published papers and two manuscripts, three of which are co-authored with others. Includes bibliographical references. Issued also electronically via World Wide Web in PDF format; online version lacks appendix.

Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala University, 1981. / One map on one folded leaf tipped in on cover p. 3. Additional (corrected) p. 97 inserted. Included bibliographical references (p. 511-526).

The climate in the north is changing over time, which affects the nature in many ways. For instance, some microorganisms that cause infections might become more common. This might have negative consequences for reindeer husbandry. In Sweden, this is an industry that is relatively large. However, even though the reindeer is common in the north the knowledge about its diseases is limited.In this study the prevalence of microorganisms that may cause infection in reindeer was investigated. Comparisons between different sami villages and previous studies were performed to detect differences that could occur due to climate changes. The diseases and microorganisms that were analyzed with PCR were malignant catarrhal fever, herpes infections, Chlamydia sp. and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). The cause of eye problems in reindeer was also investigated. BVD and bovine leukemia virus where analyzed with ELISA. Next generation sequencing where used for broader screening of samples for microorganisms that might be of interest of future analysis in more detailed follow-up studies.Since not enough samples were available at the time of this study findings could not be linked to changing climate. In the reindeer with eye infection Chlamydia sp., Moraxella sp. and Neisseria sp. can probably be involved causing disease. This should be further investigated to be able to determine whether it is true or not by analyzing samples from individuals without changes in the eyes. The prevalence of reindeers with antibodies against BVD has increased in Sweden since 2012. There will be further studies in this field with reindeers from other northern countries.

In the winter 2015/2016, about 700 reindeer were winter grazing on the islands of Holmöarna. Since the islands had not been used for reindeer grazing for more than 100 years, this is a unique opportunity to study how reindeer influence the vegetation that has developed in the absence of reindeer. Moreover, it also means that all reindeer faeces depositions and grazing damages originate from the last year. Most of the reindeer grazing occurred on Ängesön and Grossgrunden, at least during winter, due to lichen rich habitats. To investigate which habitats were available for reindeer, the abundance of these habitats and which resources they provide, 239 randomly selected study sites were investigated. To find out reindeer utilization of resources and impact on vegetation, all faecal droppings from reindeer were counted. Also, lichen height, lichen cover, lichen volume, grazing damages of lichens and vegetation, trampling, and digging, were recorded at every study site. Old-grown spruce forest was the most abundant habitat, providing reindeer with ground lichens, bilberries and epiphytic lichens. Pine forest, rich in ground lichens, was the most preferred and used habitat based on lichen cover and lichen volume, lichen damage and trampling. NMSD ordination confirmed a strong relationship between lichen height and lichen cover, i.e. lichens were heavily grazed in every habitat where lichens were recorded. Reindeer depositions of dungs and pellets were found in all habitats, but were most abundant in spruce forest with ground lichens. Strong relationships between lichen damages, digging signs and reindeer pellets confirmed more activities where lichens were abundant. Grazing of bilberry shoots and trampling, both indications of summer activities by reindeer, were also closely associated, indicating that bilberry shoots was an important food resource in summer on these islands. In the light of my result, the islands of Holmöarna have good provision for reindeer, in winter by richness of ground lichens in pine forest and old spruce forest, and summer primarily by bilberries in old grown spruce forest, mixed forest and pine forest with Vaccinium ssp. Although almost all suitable habitats show signs of reindeer activities after only one year, there is still abundant winter and summer food resources available for future grazing. There is thus plenty of resources available for reindeer on the islands of Holmöarna and reindeer are able to utilize them. If they are suitable to use for reindeer grazing in the future is thus more dependent on logistic problems like difficulties in transporting the reindeer from mainland to the islands.

Abstract Although the present day management of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus L.) and its operational environment have changed from the past, knowledge of the ecological mechanisms typical of traditional herding is still important. The main objective of this study was to examine factors related to stock productivity and carrying capacity of pastures in the Finnish semi-domesticated reindeer management area during 1960-1990's in order to clarify the basis of the present management strategies in Finland. In the Oraniemi district, before 1987, calf production was more affected by the snow conditions of the previous winter, than the weather conditions of the previous summer. Slaughtering mass of calves was more affected by the weather and precipitation in spring and summer than the snow conditions of the previous winter. Thick snow cover and unfrozen soil in early winter also probably affect the quality of natural winter food of reindeer by favouring the growth of certain micro fungi on pastures. Before the mid-1990's in the northern part of the management area, calf production decreased and its variability increased between the districts when reindeer densities on forest and heath land increased, amount of lichen (Cladonia spp.) pastures per reindeer decreased and condition of these pastures deteriorated. Variability in calf production increased especially when the amount of arboreal lichen (Alectoria, Bryoria spp.) pastures per reindeer decreased. The slaughtering mass of reindeer decreased when reindeer densities on all pastures increased. Intensive calf slaughtering increased reindeer stock productivity although it was density dependent. Because of intensified feeding, reindeer densities on winter pastures did not affect stock productivity in the whole management area between 1993 and 1999. Stock productivity could be increased markedly by feeding. Still, slaughtering mass and meat production per reindeer decreased when reindeer densities on summer pastures increased. In the Finnish grazing system, reindeer densities should have remained well below 10 reindeer/km2 lichen range for maintaining lichen ranges in a good condition. The average lichen biomass of lichen ranges in the management area in the mid-1990's was 13% of the lichen biomass at the maximum production. Lichen ranges should have been ungrazed for an average 18 years to recover to the maximum production. The time needed for the lichen ranges to recover to a good condition, would have been 7 years. This study showed that the amount and condition of pastures had a fundamental part in the productivity of Finnish reindeer stock. Calf slaughtering and feeding were effective ways to increase and stabilize stock productivity in the situation where the economic carrying capacity of winter ranges has obvuously been exceeded due to overgrazing and the effects caused by the other land use. This has made reindeer management more and more dependent on feeding. Improvements of the state and condition of winter ranges would only be possible during a long period by regulating reindeer stock size, developing pasture rotation and protecting reindeer pastures from the other land use.

Herbivores have a significant role in tundra ecosystem composition and processes. They can cause changes of vegetation composition and nutrient content that result in altered palatability of the vegetation and food availability for herbivores. The direct effect of herbivores on plant quality and quantity have been studied in detail, and recent studies have shown that present vegetation composition and soil processes might show legacies of historical grazing a century ago. This raises the question if historical grazing also has a legacy on the palatability of the vegetation. In this study, I investigated if the quality of the vegetation of the Historical Milking Grounds (HMGs) heavily grazed up until a century ago is still under influence a century after the heavy grazing has ceased. I focused on the nitrogen content and digestibility of the vegetation, since these should be two independent measures of food quality which, when evaluated together, should give a good estimate of the quality of the forage.

The aim of this study is to explore if Western researchers with different academic backgrounds comply with requests articulated by Indigenous scholars in establishing relationships with Indigenous Sámi reindeerherders. I examine if the researchers’ motivations, attitude and their possible decolonizing approaches are in accordance with the requests of Indigenous scholars, and how these differ between social and natural scientists.The results illustrate that the researchers’ general mind set,as well as their decolonizing approaches-ifexisting-only partly meet the requests of Indigenous scholars. However,the herders are still interested in participating in research projects,even though the outcomes of these projects often do not seem to have direct positive effects on the reindeerherding community.The differences between social and natural scientists are not strongly pronounced and may possibly be caused by other factors than the academic background only

Environmental enrichment is commonly used to improve the welfare of captive animals by offering options to increase behavioural diversity and normal behaviour patterns. The aim of this study was to assess if environmental enrichment has a positive effect on a group of four zoo-housed reindeer, Rangifer tarandus. Three types of environmental enrichment were used: food enrichment, olfactory enrichment, and tactile enrichment, with a spontaneous rotation to prevent habituation. Following a baseline period of ten days without enrichment, the animals’ behaviour was monitored for four months with enrichment. All behaviours shown by the reindeer during the study were categorized into locomotory behaviour, feeding behaviour, passive behaviour, social interactions, and behaviour towards enrichment. The overall level of activity of the reindeer almost doubled between the baseline period (40.8%) and the enrichment period (75.3%), with a significant increase in feeding behaviour (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in passive behaviour (p < 0.001). Food enrichment had the strongest impact on the reindeer out of the three types of enrichment presented. Even though the reindeer showed a continuous interest towards tactile enrichment, it was low compared to the interest shown towards food enrichment. They also showed little interest in olfactory enrichment. Neophobia may explain the lack of interest by the reindeer to certain types of enrichment that were novel to them. Overall, the presentation of environmental enrichment made the behaviour of the captive reindeer clearly more similar to the behaviour of wild reindeer.

Background: Within capitalistic economies the notion persists that only the most efficient and profit-maximizing companies and industries, that withstand the market mechanisms, should sustain. However, market mechanisms currently do not sufficiently consider non-monetary value creation such as social and environmental contributions. Thus, the notion of “survival of the fittest” drives industries that deliver social and environmental contributions, but are not as profitable, into extinction. One such industry whose viability is currently challenged is the indigenous Sami reindeer industry in Fennoscandia. Reindeer herding carries great social, cultural, and environmental value beyond economic terms. It is an essential part of Sami culture and does not only provide income but preserves traditional knowledge, practices, and identity. The reindeer industry, however, exists under pressure-like conditions and is facing multiple social, economic and environmental challenges. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the interrelations that constitute the struggle faced by the Swedish reindeer industry in which its viability is challenged. Method: This study is a grounded theory case study of the reindeer industry in Sweden. Following a qualitative theory building approach, key stakeholders were interviewed as part of fieldwork in Norrbotten County, Sweden. Through data analysis a theory was developed which is mapping out the struggle of the reindeer industry in its context. Conclusion: The study highlights the struggle of the Swedish reindeer industry from an inside-out perspective. The theoretical contribution is in the form of a process map which shows the interrelations and context of the struggle. Three conditions affecting the struggle were identified (missing value recognition, power asymmetry, and clashing cultures and values) whereas needs, challenges and adaptation strategies and the interrelations between them constitute the struggle. Overall, for the reindeer industry to be viable long-term, the political and economic systems need to recognize and respect the real value it is creating. / Bakgrund: I kapitalistiska ekonomier finns det en föreställning om att endast de mest effektiva och vinstmaximerande företagen och branscherna, som klarar marknadsmekanismerna, bör bestå. Marknadsmekanismerna tar dock för närvarande inte tillräcklig hänsyn till icke-monetärt värdeskapande, t.ex. skapande av sociala och miljömässiga värden. Därför driver begreppet "den starkaste överlever" industrier som ger sociala och miljömässiga bidrag, men som inte är lika lönsamma, till utrotning. En sådan industri vars livskraft för närvarande ifrågasätts är den inhemska samiska rennäringen i Fennoskandia. Renskötseln har ett stort socialt, kulturellt och miljömässigt värde som går utöver de ekonomiska aspekterna. Den är en viktig del av den samiska kulturen och ger inte bara inkomster utan bevarar också traditionell kunskap, praxis och identitet. Renskötseln lever dock under pressade förhållanden och står inför flera sociala, ekonomiska och miljömässiga utmaningar. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att bidra till förståelsen av de samband som utgör den kamp som den svenska rennäringen står inför, där dess genomförbarhet utmanas. Metod: Denna studie är en fallstudie med grundad teori om rennäringen i Sverige. Efter en kvalitativ teoribildning intervjuades nyckelaktörer som en del av fältarbetet i Norrbottens län i Sverige. Genom dataanalys utvecklades en teori som kartlägger rennäringens kamp i sitt sammanhang. Slutsats: Studien belyser den svenska rennäringens kamp ur ett inifrån-och-ut perspektiv. Det teoretiska bidraget är i form av en processkarta som visar på kampens inbördes relationer och sammanhang. Tre villkor som påverkar kampen har identifierats (bristande erkännande av värden, maktasymmetri och kolliderande kulturer och värderingar) medan behov, utmaningar och anpassningsstrategier och deras inbördes relationer utgör kampen. För att rennäringen ska vara långsiktigt livskraftig måste de politiska och ekonomiska systemen erkänna och respektera det verkliga värde som den skapar.