Reindeer Herders Research Articles

Productive and morphological features of females and calves of domestic deer of the Evenk and Nenets breeds during the calving period

Purpose: to conduct a comparative description of the productive and morphological characteristics of domestic reindeer of the Nenets and Evenki breeds.Materials and methods. Study of the morphological, behavioral and reproductive characteristics of domestic reindeer of the Nenets and Evenki breeds, kept in various natural and climatic conditions of the tundra and northern taiga, during the calving and dairy periods. Experimental data were collected from clinically healthy animals. The research was carried out in accordance with the basic methods of zootechnical research (observation, examination). Their gender (visually) and age were determined (using ear tags and animal registration data, and, if necessary, based on the degree of tooth wear); An assessment of the exterior of the reindeer herd was carried out before the rut to select males and females for mating. Methods of visual assessment, linear measurements of animals, and field chronometry of calving were used.Results. The Evenki breed of deer is distinguished by its large size, height, high load-carrying capacity and endurance when transporting goods and people. It has been established that the dynamics of calving of domestic reindeer of the Evenki breed is identical to the dynamics of calving of Nenets reindeer, but there are some peculiarities. In the tundra zone, calving takes 3—5 days longer, and the initial phase begins (on average) 7-10 days earlier than in the taiga zone. The live weight of Evenki breed calves at birth is 0.8 kg higher than that of Nenets breed calves. The intensity of growth up to 3 months of age is higher in the early, mass and late periods of calving. It has been established that calves of the early calving period exceed in live weight at birth and its growth the calves of the mass period, and those, in turn, exceed the calves of the late calving period. This pattern can be traced up to 6 months of age. Calves of early and mass calving periods, having the potential for rapid growth, find themselves in more favorable nutritional conditions in the first months of life than late calves. This is expressed in the ability to receive green pasture food 15-25 days earlier and be stronger by the time the blood-sucking dipterous insects appear. Early calving Nenets calves are more active at night, since there is still a lot of snow in the tundra zone during this period and the temperature sometimes drops below 0ºC.

The Landscape of Longing and Belonging

The article examines Kola Sami literature, focusing on the autobiographical nature poetry written by the Skolt Sami author Askold Bazhanov (1934–2012) in the 1970s–2000s. The focus is on landscape and temporality in the contexts of Sami and Soviet literature, especially the literatures of small northern peoples. What characterises Bazhanov’s nature-centred texts in general is the complex way in which temporality and human and non-human existence are manifested in the northern landscape described. As a case study, the article examines nostalgic discourses, which in Bazhanov’s texts are associated with longing for the childhood landscape in Sami villages that were submerged in the 1960s. These discourses are often combined with romanticised idyllic depictions of reindeer herder life, which I analyse as arctic pastorals. In Bazhanov’s nature poetry, the temporality of the landscape, particularly the Sami history conveyed within the landscape that is described as strongly local, is an important means by which the identity and agency of the poems’ speakers are constructed and reinforced.

Quality of Life among the Sámi Population

Abstract Introduction The Sámi, indigenous to Northern Europe, maintain rich traditions like reindeer herding and unique languages. Continuous efforts are made to preserve their cultural identity and practices. Systemic barriers, including cultural marginalization and environmental challenges, exacerbate these inequalities, impacting their ability to preserve traditional lifestyles. It is not known, until now, how this impacts Quality of Life (QoL). Aims Describe QoL in the Sámi population in Norway Methods In 2019/20, the three northernmost Counties in Norway took part in the Norwegian Counties Public Health Surveys (NCPHS), which also has a comprehensive QoL module (comprises subjective and objective measures, Cantril scale). NCPHS is an internet-based survey. On average 25 % of the adult population was invited to participate in the NCPHS. Results Being Sámi was through self-identification, n = 3312. Satisfaction with Life was 7,34 versus 7,41 for the general population. For Loneliness, 15,9 % percent of the Sámi were characterized as lonely (score 6-10) versus 13,3 %, and for positive emotions, there was no difference, with a score of 6,69 for both groups. Sex, age and educational gradients are similar to the general population, for all measures. Minor differences were found according to if one lived in a Sámi-majority municipality or not. Conclusions Overall, being Sámi is associated with slightly lower QoL on several measures, but effect sizes are general small to insignificant. Due to lack of data on the Southern Sámi population, findings cannot be generalized to all Sámi. Key messages • Overall, being Sámi is associated with slightly lower QoL on several measures, but effect sizes are general small to insignificant. • Due to lack of data on the Southern Sámi population, findings cannot be generalized to all Sámi.

Reindeer as Draught Animals in Tourism: Bringing Past Traditions into Modern Practices

Driving with reindeer is an old tradition in northern Fennoscandia that became almost extinct in the last century but that has increased in the past few decades along with tourism. This study investigates the current use of draught reindeer in Lapland, identifies changes since the mid-1900s, and explores the human-reindeer relationship related to this practice, including draught training. We conducted interviews and participatory research with 15 reindeer herders who trained draught reindeer for tourism and competitive racing in northern Finland. Reindeer training today follows similar steps to those followed in the last century, but today the draught training starts earlier, with calves in their first autumn, and takes longer, usually three to four winters. The reindeer are carefully chosen, and their training and roles are more specified than in the past. Mutual trust, communication, and learning play essential roles in the establishment of human-reindeer relationships and collaboration. Herders treat reindeer as individuals and co-actors and take into account their interests and well-being. Driving practice was restarted in the 1970s because of tourism. In the early years of tourism, when draught reindeer were not available for this, racing reindeer were used for sledging; this contributed to the revival of the practice. We conclude that draught reindeer training and use in tourism is reviving old draught-reindeer culture and passing it forward, albeit in a new form. It combines reindeer herders’ traditional knowledge with modern requirements, deepens the herder-reindeer relationship, and supports reindeer herding as a livelihood.

Bohccuid dálvebiebman – váikkuhusat bohccuid láhttenvieruide, boazodoalu geavadagaide ja birrasii

This report is based on the results from a Nordic network project funded by The Nordic Joint Committee for Agricultural and Food Research (NKJ) during the years 2021-2022. This network was created to encourage further cross-border discussions about the prospects of winter feeding of reindeer. In reindeer husbandry winter feeding has increased during the last decades due to competing land use activities and climate change. Herders in Norway, Sweden and Finland have previously raised concerns about the benefits and risks associated to the increasing need of winter feeding of reindeer in all three countries. The report, published in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and North Sámi, and covers the main findings from a series of preparatory workshops within each country and a main workshop in Arvidsjaur 8-9 June 2022. During the network activities, reindeer herders, researchers and managers discussed the effects of feeding on reindeer behaviour, herding practices and the environment. The two main topics discussed at the preparatory workshops were 1) the short- and long-term effects of winter feeding on reindeer behaviour, and 2) local to large scale effects of feeding on the environment and the natural pastures. During the main workshop, discussions were held about reasons for feeding of reindeer, the preconditions of feeding in the three countries, how winter feeding is usually performed, and best practices in relation to reindeer behaviour and the environment. The work aimed at promoting knowledge exchange on winter feeding of reindeer among all participants to help find solutions and mitigation actions to avoid changes in reindeer behaviour and negative effects of feeding on reindeer, reindeer herding and the environment. The report is aimed at herders, managers, as well as other land users, authorities and policymakers to give information on what was discussed and a summary of the challenges related to winter feeding and effects on reindeer behaviour and reindeer husbandry, and the environment. Rangifer Report No 23 is the North Sámi version of the report. The Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian versions have already been published (Rangifer Report No 18, 19 and 20 respectively).

Predicting snow structures relevant to reindeer husbandry

ABSTRACT Snow conditions in the High North are an important control on wintertime forage availability for reindeer, and under climate change, they are changing rapidly. In the European Arctic, this has the potential to disrupt traditional reindeer herding practices, reindeer health, and local culture (including that of Indigenous communities like the Sámi). At the same time, Norwegian coastal cities are competing to act as multi-model transportation hubs as sea-ice retreat creates expectations for increased marine accessibility. An “Arctic Railway” connecting Rovaniemi to Kirkenes has been proposed to support these port developments, but this route passes through rangelands managed by Sámi and local herding communities. This study develops an assessment of past and future snow characteristics relevant to reindeer health to provide a context for understanding the impacts of this infrastructure development. Climate model and detailed snowpack simulations were performed for 1950 to 2100 along the proposed route. Results show that deep snow becomes less frequent and spring thaw advances, favorable to reindeer. However, icy snow conditions become more frequent, potentially forcing herds from tundra and farmland to forested areas. This suggests policy alternatives that focus on the development and maintenance of migration corridors to allow appropriate movement of reindeer herds.

Differentiating Indigenous Peoples from local communities under climate regimes in just energy transition: Implications for the Inuit and Sami Peoples

The distinction between Indigenous peoples and local communities under climate regimes was initially addressed under the UNFCCC and has recently garnered renewed attention owing to energy policy changes to cope with rapid climate change such as in Alaska. The Montana climate litigation demonstrates the possibility of harmonizing Indigenous peoples and local communities by clearly identifying the unique climate-related indigenous culture and avoiding unintentional confrontation, given the difficulty of making clear distinctions in modern society and garnering sympathy from the local community against litigations that solely seek indigenous rights, but Indigenous peoples themselves may not see the need for harmony. Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) is one approach to achieve a 30 by 30 target under the CBD by designating Indigenous peoples’ original land but may not be beneficial to assert inherent rights or the best way to achieve harmony if they work with local communities. The local community of Finnish non-Sami reindeer herders will not receive protection under the ICCPR unlike Sami herders in Norway, if a case similar to Norway’s Fosen case occurs. As just energy transition alone does not automatically reflect the perspectives of Indigenous peoples, green colonialism could easily occur when their rights are not considered.

Ecomorphological study of Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) distal phalanx: Insights from 3D geometric morphometrics for paleoenvironmental reconstructions

Reindeer mobility patterns exhibit significant variability in modern ecosystems, especially between open and wooded environments. This variability makes it difficult to reconstruct past reindeer migration patterns, which is key to understand the role of reindeer herds in the sustenance and territorial organization of Prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies. By examining morphology associated with different habitats and movement patterns, insights into prehistoric reindeer behavior can be obtained. Investigating the relationship between locomotor anatomy and substrate type in present-day animals allows for paleoecological inferences, as previous research indicates that an animal's environment affects bone morphology. In the present study, 3D geometric morphometrics is employed to examine the influence of habitat type and mobility patterns on distal phalanx morphology from extant caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Our analysis reveals significant morphological adaptations linked to different habitats (boreal forest, mountain, and tundra) and mobility types (sedentary, migratory, and altitudinal). However, the potential impact of sex remains uncertain due to incomplete data. The significant variations in shape and size of caribou distal phalanges across different habitats and mobility types underscore the complex interactions between morphology, ecology, and evolutionary pressures.

Traditional polar transportation seen from within the culture

This paper explores cultural narratives and oral histories related to two examples of traditional northern transport—long seal hunting journeys in the Baltic region and nomadic reindeer travel in northeastern Siberia. Ample material has been collected and reviewed regarding means of nonmotorised transport in the polar regions. However, scientific literature concerning the experiences and perspectives of the Indigenous and traditional community members who took part in these journeys remains scarce. This article explores the recorded narratives of two people involved in the journeys described. It assesses how these long-distance travels form significance, meaning, observations, and belonging to landscapes for these people. This analysis reveals that, rather than inhabiting northern ice and tundra scapes that are often described as barren and devoid of life, seal hunters and reindeer herders live in story-scapes rich in meaning. The sacred places, surrender to ice flow dynamics, and ways of living “inside” northern habitats that emerge from these testimonies offer a skeleton key for re-reading the misunderstood homelands of Arctic and tundra communities.

Экологические проблемы Арктической зоны России на примере Ямало-Ненецкого автономного округа

The authors analyze the ecological state of three environments (media) of the Russian Arctic zone on the example of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area: soil, water and atmosphere. The the Autonomous Area economy is based on the oil and gas production, which has an increasing negative impact on the region ecology. Environmental pollution due to accidents and fires on oil pipelines, the formation of unauthorized landfills near settlements, contamination of rivers and reservoirs, air pollution, year–round navigation in the Gulf of Ob contribute to the overall change in the region microclimate, which leads to degradation of pastures, changes in deer migration routes and disruption of the traditional way of life of the indigenous population — Nenets-reindeer herders. In order to restore pastures and preserve the traditional way of life of reindeer herders, the authors propose building roads and railways on stilts or isolating reindeer herds from transport infrastructure with the help of eco-bridges so that it does not become an obstacle to seasonal migration of reindeer along traditional routes.

Reindeer, rockets and space infrastructures: Enacting oligoptic-satellitarian environments in Northern Sweden

This article focuses on a series of connections between space infrastructures and environments in northern Sweden. Swedish space professionals often highlight the centrality of outer space for contemporary imaginaries about the planet as an interconnected whole. At the same time, the country's sounding rocket range outside the city of Kiruna relies on deep-seated constructions of the subarctic environment as empty wilderness. With the ongoing development of small satellite launch capability, the surrounding landscape needs to be sustained as an impact area, with the consequence that Sámi land practices are increasingly pushed to the sidelines. By turning to reindeer herders’ own uses of satellite technology, I delineate an oligoptic-satellitarian environment that runs athwart panopticonic understandings of satellite vision. Rather than trying to see everything from nowhere, the herders bring into view a limited set of more-than-human relations in order to challenge conceptions of the landscape as empty and exploitable. While showing that space activities in Sweden fold into and reproduce colonial histories, the article also argues that space infrastructures contain the potential for their own reconfiguration by eliciting the other worlds that are already being performed from within dominant socio-technical regimes.

Reindeer prey mobility and seasonal hunting strategies in the late Gravettian mammoth steppe

Reindeer are part of the faunal suite that dominated central Europe during the last glacial cycle. Their importance to Late Gravettian hunters as prey and a source of raw materials (hide, bone, antler) is well attested, however the context of Late Gravettian reindeer predation is lesser understood. This paper presents an investigation of human and reindeer predator-prey interactions at the Late Gravettian kill-butchery site of Lubná VI, Czech Republic. We reconstruct seasonal mobility (87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), diet (δ13C, δ15N) and season of death (dental cementum) of up to nine reindeer prey, to inform on the strategic choices made by Late Gravettian hunters. Results indicate that most hunted reindeer lived year-round in the foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian highlands near where Lubná is located, at altitudes between ~ 200–450 m above present sea level, while a smaller number showed evidence of seasonal migration between this area and the open plains of the Elbe river corridor (Bohemian Cretaceous basin). No evidence for long distance migration of reindeer was detected, indicating that productive local environments were supporting reindeer herds within a single annual territory. Meanwhile, areas higher than ~ 450 m above present sea level were avoided entirely by all analysed individuals, consistent with these areas being topographic barriers to movement due to climate severity. We conclude that hunters visited Lubná as part of a logistically-organised subsistence strategy, deliberately targeting reindeer in late autumn when fat supplies, hides and antler are in prime condition knowing that they would reliably encounter their prey at this location.

Characteristics of the Arctic nature in the perception of a child in the children's prose written by Semyon Tumat

Significant interest in the Arctic zone of Yakutia emerged at the end of the 20th century, when alluvial diamond deposits were discovered and began to be developed. The Arctic also has great prospects for hydrocarbons. At the present time there is a struggle for the development of natural resources of the Arctic, in this connection the relevance of the Arctic theme in Yakut literature as a whole increases. The Arctic is a mysterious, harsh northern land, which at the same time is very beautiful and dangerous. The land of White Silence fascinated and attracted explorers, travellers and romantics. Not only masters of words, but also artists, pedagogues, philosophers turned their eyes to the world of childhood as an integral part of people's life. Memories of childhood spent in the harsh northern land, of its courageous inhabitants - reindeer herders, hunters, fishermen - became the material for the literary works of the national writer of Yakutia, poet, prose writer Semyon Andreevich Popov-Tumat. In the works of the writer we get acquainted with the difficult life of the indigenous people of the North with their traditions, ways of life, with their feelings and dreams. We have analysed cycles of children's proses written by Semyon Tumat. In the stories of the writer contains a lot of cognitive information about the life of a simple man, a northerner, a master, transforming this harsh land and the amazing country of snow, endless sky, illuminated by the polar lights, the wonderful world of the Arctic. S. Tumat's prose does not glorify tenderness or mercy. In the works of the writer the most important themes are: the theme of childhood, upbringing, family, faith, willpower, the theme of nature, friendship and love. However, love for his native northern land, parents, the world of the Arctic appears in the works of a strong feeling, imprinted forever on the heroes. Semyon Andreevich approached to the disclosure of this issue individually; thinking over the style and details of the narrative, composition of the works, character and psychology of the heroes.

Eavttut ja hástalusat boazodollui Norggas, Ruoŧas ja Suomas

This report is based on the book "Reindeer Husbandry and Global Environmental Change - pastoralism in Fennoscandia". The book, which was published in 2022, brings together previous and new research compiled within a Nordic collaboration project, ReiGN (Reindeer husbandry in a Globalizing North), funded by NordForsk during the years 2016 – 2021. Grants from NordForsk also funded this report. The report, published in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and North Sámi, summarizes some of the main results from the book. In nine chapters it describes how reindeer herding is affected by climate change, the continuous loss of reindeer grazing land and other external factors that together represent large challenges for reindeer, reindeer herders and the reindeer herding community as a whole. The report contains perspectives from many different research areas. Each chapter in the report has one or more references and links to chapters in the above mentioned book, which is freely available online (https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003118565). The chapters in the report cover a range of different topics, like present and historical reindeer herding (Chapter 1), the genetic background of the semi-domesticated reindeer (Chapter 2), how reindeer ranges are used and how they are affected by climate change and expanding industrial development (Chapter 3), possibilities for adaptation to a warmer climate (Chapter 4), impact of large predators (Chapter 5), external and internal governance (Chapter 6), reindeer herding as subsistence (Chapter 7), the role of supplementary feeding (Chapter 8), and reindeer health and diseases in a climate perspective (Chapter 9). The report ends with some reflections over the present situation and future perspectives for reindeer herding. The report is aimed at herders and managers, as well as other land users, authorities and policymakers who deal with natural resource management, climate and environmental issues or other matters related to reindeer herding and the use of land and water within the reindeer herding area. Rangifer Report No 21 is the North Sámi version of the report. Reports in Swedish and Norwegian have already been published as Rangifer Report No 16 and No 17, respectively. A Finnish version is published as a following number of Rangifer Report.

Ways of identifying lichen and plant species by the Nenets reindeer herders in Yamal

Yamal Nenets herders have historically developed a rich knowledge of lichens and vascular plants, which feature in the diet of their migratory reindeer herds in the tundra zone of northwest Siberia. In the Nenets language there are native names for certain species of lichens and other reindeer forage plants, including graminoids, herbs, shrubs, berries, and mushrooms. During participant fieldwork together with nomadic tundra Nenets herders, we documented names and definitions of reindeer food on herding territories during their long migration routes from the northern forest-tundra transition zone to the northern coastal tundra. Like many other Indigenous peoples of Siberia, Nenets have noticed that the Arctic is changing and some of its recent dynamics are seriously affecting their livelihood. The degradation of some lichen composition and cover on tundra pastures has also contributed to a decrease of herders’ linguistic palette for describing these losses in a concrete manner. Since the Nenets language is on the list of endangered languages of the world, this has an especially negative impact on the language skills and traditional knowledge of the younger generations of Nenets people, who may not know what these lichens look like and why they are important for the Nenets reindeer herding culture.

Socioecological dynamics of diverse global permafrost-agroecosystems under environmental change

ABSTRACT Permafrost-agroecosystems include all cultivation and pastoral activities in areas underlain by permafrost. These systems support local livelihoods and food production and are rarely considered in global agricultural studies but may become more relevant as climate change is increasing opportunities for food production in high latitude and mountainous areas. The exact locations and amount of agricultural production in areas containing permafrost are currently unknown, therefore we provide an overview of countries where both permafrost and agricultural activities are present. We highlight the socioecological diversity and complexities of permafrost-agroecosystems through seven case studies: (1) crop cultivation in Alaska, USA; (2) Indigenous food systems and crop cultivation in the Northwest Territories, Canada; (3) horse and cattle husbandry and Indigenous hay production in the Sakha Republic, Russia; (4) mobile pastoralism and husbandry in Mongolia; (5) yak pastoralism in the Central Himalaya, Nepal; (6) berry picking and reindeer herding in northern Fennoscandia; and (7) reindeer herding in northwest Russia. We discuss regional knowledge gaps associated with permafrost and make recommendations to policy makers and land users for adapting to changing permafrost environments. A better understanding of permafrost-agroecosystems is needed to help sustainably manage and develop these systems considering rapidly changing climate, environments, economies, and industries.

Science-based assurance of the disease freedom in reindeer herds of the Russian Arctic zone

Science-based assurance of the disease freedom in reindeer herds of the Russian Arctic zone

Vinterforing av reinsdyr - effekter på reinsdyrs oppførsel, beitepraksis og miljøet

This report is based on the results from a Nordic network project funded by The Nordic Joint Committee for Agricultural and Food Research (NKJ) during the years 2021-2022. This network was created to encourage further cross-border discussions about the prospects of winter feeding of reindeer. In reindeer husbandry winter feeding has increased during the last decades due to competing land use activities and climate change. Herders in Norway, Sweden and Finland have previously raised concerns about the benefits and risks associated to the increasing need of winter feeding of reindeer in all three countries. The report, published in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and North Sámi, and covers the main findings from a series of preparatory workshops within each country and a main workshop in Arvidsjaur 8-9 June 2022. During the network activities, reindeer herders, researchers and managers discussed the effects of feeding on reindeer behaviour, herding practices and the environment. The two main topics discussed at the preparatory workshops were 1) the short- and long-term effects of winter feeding on reindeer behaviour, and 2) local to large scale effects of feeding on the environment and the natural pastures. During the main workshop, discussions were held about reasons for feeding of reindeer, the preconditions of feeding in the three countries, how winter feeding is usually performed, and best practices in relation to reindeer behaviour and the environment. The work aimed at promoting knowledge exchange on winter feeding of reindeer among all participants to help find solutions and mitigation actions to avoid changes in reindeer behaviour and negative effects of feeding on reindeer, reindeer herding and the environment. The report is aimed at herders, managers, as well as other land users, authorities and policymakers to give information on what was discussed and a summary of the challenges related to winter feeding and effects on reindeer behaviour and reindeer husbandry, and the environment. Rangifer Report No 20 is the Norwegian version of the report. The Swedish and Finnish versions have been published (Rangifer Report No 18 and 19, respectively). A version in North Sámi is published as a following number of Rangifer Report.

АГРОЛАНДШАФТНО-ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ РАЙОНИРОВАНИЕ КОРМОВЫХ ЭКОСИСТЕМ РОССИЙСКОЙ АРКТИКИ

The key principle of the Arctic development should be nature-saving nature management. The agro-landscape-ecological zoning of the Far North fodder ecosystems developed at the V.R. Williams Federal Research Centre for Forage Production and Agroecology is aimed at this very goal. About 90 % of Murmansk District is occupied by reindeer pastures, in some places disturbed as a result of their irrational use by reindeer herders, mining, construction, and transport; the ecological state of the territory is tense. In Yamal District, reindeer pastures occupy 65 % of the area; the ecological state of the ecosystems is tense or even critical in some places. The area of lichen tundras has decreased by 3,5-4 times, total fodder reserves in lichen-moss tundras, in those areas where they are still preserved, have decreased by 3-10 times. The total reserves of green grass fodder and shrubs has decreased by 1.5-2 and 2-8 times, respectively. Desertification of highlands (bare sands occupied about 6 %) and waterlogging of lowland areas is going on. Technogenic impact on tundra ecosystems disturbs soil and vegetation cover, hydrological regime. Waterlogging of lowlands due to thermoerosion is starting. It is necessary to find compromises between economy, ecology, social and national interests.

Between the local and the global? - reindeer herders’ perspectives on land use challenges and conflicts in the Sámi homeland, Finland

ABSTRACT Rapid increase in new land uses is one of the biggest threats to reindeer husbandry in Fennoscandia. We conducted a partly facilitated online Public Participation GIS survey to study reindeer herders’ perspectives on the impacts of land uses on reindeer herding in Inari, in the Sámi Homeland, Finland. The herders found that predators, husky safaris, hunting, mineral prospecting, gold mining, and forestry have had the most negative influence on reindeer herding, but they were most concerned about the cumulative effects of multiple land uses. Nature conservation was reported as having the most positive impact on reindeer herding. Map markings of the herders indicated that new land uses should not be directed to grazing areas but to population centers with existing infrastructure. The facilitated PPGIS survey encompassing interviews was found to be time-consuming, but trust-inspiring and interactive in that it enabled detailed discussions with the herders.