Forest Ecosystem Management and Reindeer Husbandry

Forest ecosystem management and reindeer husbandry are intrinsically linked across boreal and sub-arctic landscapes, where the survival of semi-domestic Rangifer populations depends on the availability of both ground and arboreal lichens. Sustainable approaches integrate extended rotation periods, uneven-aged silviculture and retention of large trees to maintain lichen abundance while allowing for timber extraction. Adaptive planning tools, including forest decision support systems and post-fire restoration techniques, help anticipate climate-driven shifts in lichen growth and distribution. Culturally informed management respects the land-use practices of Indigenous herders, mitigating conflicts over grazing rights, biodiversity conservation and economic objectives. Such multi-use frameworks foster resilient forest–herbivore systems and offer practical models for temperate and polar woodlands worldwide, guiding policymakers and land managers towards balanced outcomes that secure ecosystem services, cultural heritage and productive forestry under changing environmental conditions.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Forest Ecosystem Management and Reindeer Husbandry publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in forest ecosystem management and reindeer husbandry across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Continuous cover forestry (CCF): A silvicultural system that maintains an unbroken forest canopy through selective harvesting rather than clear-cutting.

Ground lichen: Mat-forming Cladonia species growing on well-drained soils, serving as the primary winter forage for reindeer.

Pendulous lichen: Epiphytic lichens such as Alectoria and Bryoria that hang from tree branches and provide essential winter fodder.

Rotation period: The time interval between successive harvests in a managed forest stand.

Boreal forest: A northern biome dominated by coniferous trees and extensive lichen understoreys, subject to cold climates and periodic disturbances.

References

1. Adapted forest management to improve the potential for reindeer husbandry in Northern Sweden. Ambio (2023).
2. Assessing the restoration and the dispersal of reindeer lichen after forest fire in northern Sweden: Results after eleven growing seasons. Ecological Engineering (2024).
3. Multiple-use forests and reindeer husbandry – Case of pendulous lichens in continuous cover forests. Forest Ecology and Management (2023).
4. Systematic Literature Review of Land Use Conflicts in Northern Sweden—Lessons Learned and Ways Forward. Resources (2024).
5. Interlocking panarchies in multi-use boreal forests in Sweden. Ecology and Society (2010).