A model for analyzing influence of timber production on lichens for reindeer grazing

• Published in: Rangifer
• Main Authors: Olof Eriksson, Mats Sandewall, Erik Wilhelmsson
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 1987
• Subjects: reindeer; timber production; lichens; reindeer grazing; Animal culture; SF1-1100; Alectoria; Hugin; Rangifer; reindeer husbandry; Norrbotten
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.7557/2.7.2.712; https://doaj.org/article/ec50f9511c8642deb039e294a18206b3

A model for long-term analysis of the influence of timber production on lichens for reindeer grazing (Cladina, Alectoria, Bryoria spp and others) in Sweden is presented. The annual production of and demand for lichens are estimated and compared. Production of these lichens is presumed to set the upper limit for the reindeer population. Reindeer graze on both ground and tree lichens, which both must be accessible in sufficient amounts and at the right times of the year if reindeer husbandry is to succeed without supplementary feeding. The model is based mainly on existing data, and uses are estimations from the National Forest Survey and the Hugin system for calculation of longterm potential cut (Bengtsson, 1981). Geographically the study is limited to Vasterbotten and Norrbotten, the northernmost counties in Sweden, where most reindeer husbandry in Sweden is located, and where reindeer grazing takes place over almost the whole area. The calculations cover a period of one hundred years from 1980, and are based on a timber production programme which relies more on «multiple use» than the current Swedish forest policy (Bengtsson, 1986). The annual production of ground lichens is calculated by multiplying the area covered with ground lichens by their increment as estimated from their rate of biomass increase, which in turn depends on site factors and age of the stand. The estimation of the area is based on data from the National Forest Survey. Sample plots with ground lichens are assumed to maintain lichens during the whole hundred year period. Areas with stands that have been thinned within ten years and stands younger than 20 years are excluded due to logging residues from thinnings and packed snow. Some of the remaining area cannot practically be utilized for reindeer grazing. Representatives of three communities of reindeer herders classified 212 plots from the National Forest Survey with ground lichens and assessed that 3/4 of the plots can be utilized. The reduction was because of location (near buildings, ...