Modelling impacts of infrastructure and climatic factors on reindeer forage availability in winter

Kater, Ilona; Baxter, Robert

Abstract

Whilst the impacts of climate and of human activities on various species are being extensively studied, each component is often considered in isolation, hindering a comprehensive understanding of their combined effects. The present research addresses this limitation by proposing a novel conceptual model to assess the cumulative impacts of various anthropogenic developments and environmental conditions on ungulates. The conceptual model is applied to semi-domesticated reindeer, specifically in the context of winter grazing in northern Fennoscandia, as this species is facing an increasing range and intensity of stressors detrimental to its health and survival. The conceptual framework for the model is described. Data from previous studies are then synthesised to estimate forage availability—accounting for both presence and accessibility through snow—in a landscape without infrastructure. Infrastructure is then introduced, and the resulting loss of potential forage due to physical structures and reindeer avoidance behaviour is calculated, thereby revealing the extent of disturbance. When applied to a case study of a proposed mine in Sweden, the results show that excluding cumulative impacts would have underestimated the forage loss by approximately 35%, highlighting the importance of its consideration. Whilst this model is likely to still underestimate the full extent of disturbance caused by infrastructure, we believe that the multi-faceted conceptual approach represents an opportunity for the enhancement of existing models. Further, the findings emphasise the necessity of considering cumulative impacts within environmental impact assessments.

Citation

Kater, I., & Baxter, R. (2025). Modelling impacts of infrastructure and climatic factors on reindeer forage availability in winter. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 112, Article 107857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2025.107857

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 3, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Feb 7, 2025
• Publication Date: 2025-03
• Deposit Date: Feb 11, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 11, 2025
• Journal: Environmental Impact Assessment Review
• Print ISSN: 0195-9255
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-6432
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 112
• Article Number: 107857
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2025.107857
• Keywords: Avoidance; Cumulative impacts; Disturbance; Infrastructure; Model; Reindeer
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3477411