Scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer
The ongoing dispute about reindeer overabundance in the West Finnmark (Norway) herding region has accentuated the need for an in-depth understanding of the density-dependent and -independent processes driving this pastoral system, as well as the spatial and temporal scale(s) they operate on. Using 2...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:66fb2c2e2f38485d819644e81e226364 2023-05-15T16:13:33+02:00 Scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer Øystein Holand Anders Aa. Ims Robert B. Weladji 2010-03-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.7557/2.30.1.248 https://doaj.org/article/66fb2c2e2f38485d819644e81e226364 EN eng Septentrio Academic Publishing https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/248 https://doaj.org/toc/1890-6729 doi:10.7557/2.30.1.248 1890-6729 https://doaj.org/article/66fb2c2e2f38485d819644e81e226364 Rangifer, Vol 30, Iss 1 (2010) density dependence Rangifer tarandus reindeer husbandry scale effect Animal culture SF1-1100 article 2010 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.7557/2.30.1.248 2022-12-30T22:48:06Z The ongoing dispute about reindeer overabundance in the West Finnmark (Norway) herding region has accentuated the need for an in-depth understanding of the density-dependent and -independent processes driving this pastoral system, as well as the spatial and temporal scale(s) they operate on. Using 20 604 records of individual male reindeer yearlings we assessed the spatial and temporal variation in animals’ performance (measured by their autumn carcass mass), and investigated summer density dependent effects on autumn carcass masses at different scales. We defined three spatial scales; a regional scale represented by the whole summer range of West Finnmark, a sub-regional scale represented by the mainland (14) and the island (11) summer districts, and a fine scale represented by eight individual summer districts. We defined two temporal scales; the whole collection phase (13 years) and a temporal dimension based on the three periods of population growth. We found carcass masses to be higher at island than at mainland and to vary among districts. Effect of period was found at the regional, sub-regional and often at the district scale. The autumn carcass masses were sensitive to density at West Finnmark and mainland scales, but not at island scale, the effect being negative. This suggests intra-specific competition for summer forage due to consistent higher density resulting in reduced range quality at mainland as compared to island. On the finest scale the density effect was highly variable. Response of carcass mass to density appeared to be scale dependent both in space and time at regional and sub-regional scales. These findings underline the importance, for skilful management, of site specific biological understanding of (1) the density dependent processes and (2) the spatial and temporal scales these processes are operating on. Adaptive management strategies for sustainable use of the summer forage resources in West Finnmark have therefore to be district specific. Skala-avhengige virkninger av antallet rein ... Article in Journal/Newspaper Finnmark Rangifer Rangifer tarandus reindeer husbandry Finnmark Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Norway Rangifer 30 1 15 29 |
institution |
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Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
density dependence Rangifer tarandus reindeer husbandry scale effect Animal culture SF1-1100 |
spellingShingle |
density dependence Rangifer tarandus reindeer husbandry scale effect Animal culture SF1-1100 Øystein Holand Anders Aa. Ims Robert B. Weladji Scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer |
topic_facet |
density dependence Rangifer tarandus reindeer husbandry scale effect Animal culture SF1-1100 |
description |
The ongoing dispute about reindeer overabundance in the West Finnmark (Norway) herding region has accentuated the need for an in-depth understanding of the density-dependent and -independent processes driving this pastoral system, as well as the spatial and temporal scale(s) they operate on. Using 20 604 records of individual male reindeer yearlings we assessed the spatial and temporal variation in animals’ performance (measured by their autumn carcass mass), and investigated summer density dependent effects on autumn carcass masses at different scales. We defined three spatial scales; a regional scale represented by the whole summer range of West Finnmark, a sub-regional scale represented by the mainland (14) and the island (11) summer districts, and a fine scale represented by eight individual summer districts. We defined two temporal scales; the whole collection phase (13 years) and a temporal dimension based on the three periods of population growth. We found carcass masses to be higher at island than at mainland and to vary among districts. Effect of period was found at the regional, sub-regional and often at the district scale. The autumn carcass masses were sensitive to density at West Finnmark and mainland scales, but not at island scale, the effect being negative. This suggests intra-specific competition for summer forage due to consistent higher density resulting in reduced range quality at mainland as compared to island. On the finest scale the density effect was highly variable. Response of carcass mass to density appeared to be scale dependent both in space and time at regional and sub-regional scales. These findings underline the importance, for skilful management, of site specific biological understanding of (1) the density dependent processes and (2) the spatial and temporal scales these processes are operating on. Adaptive management strategies for sustainable use of the summer forage resources in West Finnmark have therefore to be district specific. Skala-avhengige virkninger av antallet rein ... |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Øystein Holand Anders Aa. Ims Robert B. Weladji |
author_facet |
Øystein Holand Anders Aa. Ims Robert B. Weladji |
author_sort |
Øystein Holand |
title |
Scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer |
title_short |
Scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer |
title_full |
Scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer |
title_fullStr |
Scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer |
title_full_unstemmed |
Scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer |
title_sort |
scale-dependent effects of summer density on autumn mass in reindeer |
publisher |
Septentrio Academic Publishing |
publishDate |
2010 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.7557/2.30.1.248 https://doaj.org/article/66fb2c2e2f38485d819644e81e226364 |
geographic |
Norway |
geographic_facet |
Norway |
genre |
Finnmark Rangifer Rangifer tarandus reindeer husbandry Finnmark |
genre_facet |
Finnmark Rangifer Rangifer tarandus reindeer husbandry Finnmark |
op_source |
Rangifer, Vol 30, Iss 1 (2010) |
op_relation |
https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/248 https://doaj.org/toc/1890-6729 doi:10.7557/2.30.1.248 1890-6729 https://doaj.org/article/66fb2c2e2f38485d819644e81e226364 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.7557/2.30.1.248 |
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Rangifer |
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30 |
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1 |
container_start_page |
15 |
op_container_end_page |
29 |
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1765999332597694464 |