The management of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Hardangervidda National Park, Norway

• Published in: 6th Symposium for Research in Protected Areas
• Main Authors: Bargmann, Tessa, Ole R. Vetaas, Ole R.
• Other Authors: Salzburger Nationalparkfonds, Gerlos Stra?e 18/2, 5730 Mittersill, Austria, 2018
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: Salzburger Nationalparkfonds, Gerlos Stra?e 18/2, 5730 Mittersill, Austria, 2018 2018
• Subjects: hunting; climate; tourism; Norway; Rangifer tarandus
• Online Access: http://puma.isti.cnr.it/dfdownloadnew.php?ident=EUproject/ECOPOTENTIAL/2018-A1-005; http://puma.isti.cnr.it/rmydownload.php?filename=EUproject/ECOPOTENTIAL/2018-A1-005/2018-A1-005.pdf

Hardangervidda is the largest mountain plateau in northern Europe, and is home to the largest wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) population on the european continent. Wild reindeer are often considered keystone species of the circumpolar region, because they influence ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and primary production (e.g. OLOFSSON et al, 2004). The reindeer population on the Hardangervidda plateau is important for its ecological value, and for its economical and recreational value for hunters, hikers and landowners (BJERKETVEDT et al, 2014). A loss of this herd would have a negative impact not only for the ecosystem, but also for the people that depend on it for their livelihood. The protection of the largest population of wild reindeer in Europe was one of the main reasons to designate Hardangervidda National Park. Hardangervidda's wild reindeer population has had frequent and extreme fluctuations in harvest numbers over the last six decades because data on herd size is unreliable, there is a lack of data on recruitment and other life stage characteristics, and because there is a high variation in hunting success (BJERKETVEDT et al, 2014; STRAND et al, 2004). Thus, more reliable population data is sorely needed.