| Summary: | In Sweden, reindeer husbandry is one of the most important traditions of the Sami people and is protected by the Reindeer Husbandry Act. The reindeer are semi-domesticated and migrate to different grazing lands depending on seasons. Reindeer husbandry is dependent on weather conditions for forage availability throughout the year, and this study examines potential effects of the predicted climate changes on reindeer husbandry in the county of Norrbotten, northern Sweden. The purpose of this study was to link observed changes in weather by reindeer herders to future predictions by SMHI and analyse what potential impacts climate change could have on reindeer husbandry. The results indicate that winter season is a bottle-neck for the reindeers, with unpredictable forage availability. Further, if the autumn is rainy an ice-crust can form on top of the ground which makes grazing of lichens difficult for the reindeer. The future climate is projected to change, with higher temperatures and increased precipitation as a consequence. A warmer climate will result in shorter winters and a longer growing season with higher plant productivity. This is positive for the reindeer husbandry as it increases the reindeer’s survivability because they have more time to feed and access to more food. Higher summer temperatures, on the other hand, can have a negative consequence such as increased insect harassment. In addition, the reindeer husbandry is already facing a challenge from competition of the grazing land with other industries, in which they often feel powerless. As the climate is getting warmer new developers and industries are likely to migrate further north and potentially increase competition for land. In summary; the reindeer husbandry in Sweden face a difficult future with an ongoing climate change and potentially more fragmented grazing lands from increasing land use competition. Klimatet på Jorden står inför en förändring. I Sverige bedrivs rennäringen av samerna sedan urminnes tid och är direkt beroende av väder och ...
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