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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:oulo.fi/oai:oulu.fi:isbn951-42-6555-6 |
| Date | 12 November 2001 |
| Creators | Kumpula, J. (Jouko) |
| Publisher | University of Oulu |
| Source Sets | University of Oulu |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess, © University of Oulu, 2001 |
| Relation | info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/0355-3191, info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1796-220X |
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