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The Arctic ecosystem -

Reindeer are an integral part of the Arctic ecosystem. Research is proving the pivotal role these mammals play in maintaining both the livability and environmental protection of Arctic areas.

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Albedo -

Surface albedo is a concept that measures the whiteness of a given surface. The albedo effect is the capacity of snow and ice to reflect heat.

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Albedo -

Where there is higher surface albedo, more sunlight is reflected into space. By reducing or eliminating the amount of shrubs, reindeer help increase albedo.

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Forest -

In the forest, trees have a blocking effect. Reindeer grazing here don't have as much of an impact on the surface albedo.

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Tundra -

However, in the tundra, a type of biome where tree growth is hindered by frigid temperatures and short growing seasons, the impact of reindeer grazing is significant.

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Results -

While the results are small if viewed on a global scale, they have far-reaching implications for the future of the Arctic itself, long under threat.

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Reindeer herding -

For more than 20 different indigenous communities in the Arctic, reindeer herding provides an income. Across nine countries, around 100,000 people are involved in herding.

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Indigenous communities -

Indigenous communities have traditionally also used reindeer as a form of transport, as well as to make cold-resistant clothing and for food.

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Warmer months -

In the warmer months, the reindeer roam freely in the region. During this time, they feed on lichen and other plants, trampling the ground.

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Warmer months -

This process prevents the growth of woody shrubs, that are trampled on by the reindeer, as they move and graze on the Arctic floor.

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Shrubification -

When open landscape gradually turns into taller, woodier plants, slowly turning the area into a forest, the process is known as "shrubification."

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Shrubification -

While there are many parts of the world where extra tree and shrub cover would be considered desirable, this isn't the case in the Arctic.

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Ancient ecosystem -

Shrub and forest cover in the Arctic erases an ancient ecosystem, which is characterized by boreal forests (open forest) and tundra landscapes.

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Impact -

Shrubification could actually worsen the impact of climate change in the Arctic. Research suggests tundra is warmed up when shrubs trap heat that thaw the permafrost.

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Permafrost -

The permafrost is vital to the Arctic landscape. It is any ground that remains frozen—0°C (32°F) or colder—for at least two years.

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Permafrost -

Permafrost is made of a combination of soil, rocks, and sand that are held together by ice. The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long.

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Permafrost -

A layer of soil on top of permafrost does not stay frozen all year. Called the active layer, it thaws during the warm summer months and freezes again in the fall.

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Active layer -

In colder regions, the active layer of ground rarely thaws—even in the summer. As temperatures rise, however, the permafrost is thawing. That means the ice inside the permafrost melts, leaving behind water and soil.

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Thawing -

As permafrost thaws, plant material in the soil called organic carbon, that is unable to decompose, releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

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Thawing -

Many northern villages are built on permafrost. Harder than concrete, when it thaws the permafrost can destroy houses, roads, and other infrastructure.

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Climate change -

Research suggests that climate change is accelerating the rate of shrubification in the Arctic, as the warmer, longer growing season speeds up plant growth.

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Climate change -

One study found that vegetation in the Yamal Peninsula, a region of north-west Siberia, remained stable despite increasing summer temperatures.

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Reindeer effect -

In the same area, there had been a 75% increase in the reindeer population between 1986 and 2016. The authors of the study believed reindeer grazing appeared to compensate for changing temperatures.

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Reindeer effect -

The researchers also say the reindeer helped to preserve the tundra habitat so native species such as mosses, lichen, and low-growing willows can continue to thrive.

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Reindeer crossing -

On the northernmost part of the Finnish-Norwegian border, there's a fence to stop reindeer crossing from one country to the other. Lichen cover differs dramatically between the border countries here.

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Reindeer crossing -

Bruce Forbes, professor at the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland, says this is because of different reindeer herding methods employed on each side of the border fence.

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Finnish approach -

Reindeer trample lichen on the Finnish side of the border in summer, when temperatures are between 20-25°C (68-77°F).

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Finnish approach -

The way the reindeer graze in summer prevents shrubs from growing taller and protruding through the snowpack later in the yearly cycle. As a result, the snow melts later here in the springtime.

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Norwegian side -

In contrast, on the Norwegian side reindeer only graze during winter. They can't trample lichen, as they have to dig down deep into the snow to feed on it.

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Traditional practices -

The beneficial effects of reindeer on the environment in studies reflect long-held, traditional Sámi herding practices. Moderate numbers of reindeer give resilience to the ecosystem, in a culture that recognizes reindeer and the community as intertwined.

Sources: (BBC Future) (The Washington Post) (Time) (International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry) (AAAS)

See also: The incredible ways animals impact the earth

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