GPS-collar tracking and geo-spatial modelling to analyze the effects of hydro-power development on reindeer herding in northen Finland

Abstract

This paper deals with the possible eff ects of a planned water reservoir in the Pudasjarvi-Kollaja area (northern Finland) on local reindeer husbandry. Reindeer husbandry is a culturally and locally also economic important livelihood, which can utilize the limited biological resources of the Boreal forests and mires. The study used GPS-collar tracking and geospatial modelling (kernel density) together with statistical methods (Principal Component PCA niche analysis) to analyze the present situation and evaluate expected consequences of the implementation of the planned reservoir. The results show that the tracked reindeer in the study year (2015) did use the surroundings of the planned reservoir during the calving period (May-June), but not the core area. The planned channels leading to and from the reservoir however, will fragment the pasture areas and cut present migration routes. GPS-Collars and the open-source R-environment provide ample resources for the geo-statistical analysis of animal movement. Refs 12. Figs 6. Tables 3.