Detecting land cover disturbances in the Lappi reindeer herding district using multi-source remote sensing and GIS data

Abstract

Land use intensification in northern regions has resulted in major land cover transformations that have generally negative impacts on traditional land use systems. We examined land cover disturbances in the Lappi reindeer herding district in North-Eastern Finland between 1965 and 2005 using multi-source remote sensing and GIS data. We utilised a series of Landsat MSS and TM data, KH-9 images, aerial photography and national GIS databases to detect land cover changes and accumulation of disturbances in a study area of 4504km2. The results showed that the cover of continuous (old) coniferous forests was notably reduced by the 1970s, and the undisturbed forest cover further declined from 87 to 77% during the study period. The length of the road network increased from 835km in 1972 to 1855km in 2010. We estimate that circa 27% of the total area in the reindeer herding district has experienced major disturbances since the late 1960s owing to modern forest management, road construction and hydroelectric reservoirs. These long-lasting or permanent land cover changes have had several negative effects on reindeer pastures and have increased vulnerability of the reindeer herding system.