Simulating Removal of a Popular Tourist Cabin: Consequences for Wild Reindeer

Trine Hay Setsaas

2025-04-01T13:32:00.0000000 2025-04-01T13:31:32.2100000

Until recently, the entire Reinheimen mountain area in Norway was used by wild reindeer, and the area around the Norwegian Trekking Association’s (DNT) cabin Pyttbua served as calving grounds. However, since the 1980s, increased human activity has caused the shy and near-threatened wild reindeer to abandon the area. Disturbances along historic migration routes are also preventing contact between different reindeer herds in Reinheimen.

As part of DNT’s application to upgrade the Pyttbua tourist cabin, the Reinheimen National Park Board requested more information before processing the application. They therefore commissioned an assessment from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).

NINA researcher Manuela Panzacchi and her colleagues have spent several years mapping the cumulative impact of human activity in all wild reindeer areas in Norway, identifying remaining suitable habitats and migration corridors, and simulating the effects of various mitigation measures. This allowed them to model two scenarios proposed by the National Park Board across different seasons: (1) closure of the Pyttbua tourist cabin and associated hiking and cross-country skiing trails; or (2) closure of the Pyttbua cabin and trail network plus closure of the access road, with establishment of a new parking area at "Kabben."

“The maps provide, for the first time, a bird’s-eye view of the entire ecological network for wild reindeer in Reinheimen, showing core habitat areas, barriers, and corridors between them. This is especially important because we have no GPS data for wild reindeer in this region,” says Panzacchi.

The results from the simulations closely match local knowledge, wildlife observation databases, and the location of ancient reindeer pitfall traps.

“This shows that our models—based on GPS data from Norway’s 10 largest wild reindeer populations and validated across reindeer ranges—can also be effective in areas where GPS data is lacking,” Panzacchi explains.

Re-establishment of Connectivity Within the Reindeer Range

The results indicate that Scenario 2 (above), where all proposed mitigation measures are implemented, would be by far the most effective. This scenario is expected to increase both the area of suitable habitat and the likelihood of restoring connectivity to the northern part of the range throughout the year, particularly during the calving and migration seasons.

Connectivity within the range is projected to increase by 6% during the calving period. This corresponds to a gain of 19 square kilometers of high-quality, connected grazing habitat—equivalent to about 2,619 soccer fields.

“Well-planned and targeted mitigation measures can make a significant difference to the population’s future, even if the restored area may appear small in percentage terms,” says Panzacchi.

Informing Future Mitigation Strategies

Panzacchi emphasizes that the models primarily serve as an objective, high-resolution knowledge base of existing and potential connections between critical areas, as well as the cumulative impacts of human activity in the Reinheimen area. These data can inform future discussions with stakeholders on how to improve the wild reindeer population, in line with Norway’s parliamentary white paper on reindeer conservation.

In order for wild reindeer to resume use of lost calving grounds and migration routes, the animals must feel safe in the landscape. The Sámi word beitero describes this sense of peace and undisturbed grazing. The researchers therefore recommend an ambitious approach to mitigation.

“Scenario 2 targets a critical bottleneck, but it's important to remember that the goal is to minimize disturbances in the area—especially during the calving season and early summer. This may require considering additional measures in a broader context. We hope that the maps and results showing the cumulative impact of various human activities can support productive dialogue among stakeholders to identify the most effective solutions for ensuring the viability of the reindeer population,” concludes Panzacchi.

Learn more:

Evaluating the effect of mitigation measures for wild reindeer in Reinheimen-Breheimen – NINA Report 2478

Statistical modelling of cumulative impacts of human activities on wild reindeer areas. Identifying functional areas and performing scenario analyses for impact assessment and area planning – NINA Report 2189

Anthropogenic disturbance in Norwegian wild reindeer areas. A new Dashbord makes available statistical maps and estimates in support to management processes - NINA Report 2342

Learn more with web apps:

Wild reindeer Maps on habitat loss

Contact: Manuela Panzacchi

Norway's wild reindeer struggle to reproduce

Jørn J. Fremstad

2024-09-05T07:45:00.0000000 2025-01-02T15:00:09.1430000

Aerial counting of calves. This year the result was disappointing, as here in Snøhetta. Photo credit: Roy Andersen, Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre.

Wild reindeer calves are counted annually in almost all 24 wild reindeer areas in Norway, as part of the quality standard for wild reindeer. With only a few exceptions, this year's numbers are alarming.

In Knutshø wild reindeer area, only 34 calves per 100 females/young animals were found, qualifying for a code red according to the quality standard (poor ecological quality). Two years ago, the code was yellow (medium quality) in the same area.

- These results are only exacerbating an already alarming trend. Unfortunately, we don’t have a clear answer to why the numbers are so low, it is most likely a combination of several factors. It is therefore crucial that we acquire more knowledge, says senior researcher Brage Bremset Hansen at the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (NINA).

Parasites, disturbances, climate change and predators

There are several hypotheses as to what negatively affects the wild reindeer. In some areas, populations are impacted by parasites originating from large numbers of sheep on summer pasture. In others, they have challenges related to disturbances, infrastructure and tourism. Climate change is another factor that most likely plays a role.

In the Dovre mountain region, calf production was generally poor, including a code red for the sub population in the western part of Snøhetta, according to the quality standard. As a result, the Government banned all hunting this year, as the number of wild reindeer in Norway mainly is regulated by hunting. Locally though, many believe that natural predators, mainly wolverines, play a role.

International responsibility

The last viable populations of wild mountain living reindeer in Europe are only found in 24 more or less isolated areas in Southern Norway, putting a particular international responsibility to conserve this species on Norway. As a response to this, the Government decided in 2016 to initiate the development of an environmental quality standard for wild reindeer areas as a tool to safeguard the species. In 2023, an expert group led by NINA presented the last of two status reports of the wild reindeer areas according to the quality standard, where ecological standard is shown as good (green), medium (yellow) or red (bad). 

Learn more about the classification system for wild reindeer in Norway (summary in English): Environmental quality standard for wild reindeer

Learn more about current status of wild reindeer and recent policy developments: Code red and yellow for Norway's wild reindeer

Contact: Brage Bremseth Hansen

Nationwide mapping of green infrastructure in Norway

Anne Olga Syverhuset

2024-04-08T12:33:00.0000000 2024-04-18T09:43:24.5770000

The cumulative impact of human activities is not only causing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Habitat degradation is also causing fragmentation and barriers, preventing species from reaching isolated patches of suitable habitat. These are two of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. 

In order to safeguard biodiversity, it is therefore important to take ecological connectivity into account in spatial planning and preserve the most important networks of suitable habitats, or Green Infrastructure (GI).

A network-based methodology was initially developed by NINA researchers for networks of suitable habitats for wild reindeer in Norway. With the same approach they have now presented, commissioned by the Government, among the first attempts to statistically model Green Infrastructure on a national scale, in high resolution, for solitary bees, moose and 14 species of trees.

Pollinators and possible corridors

The national maps for solitary bees identify all suitable habitat for every 30 m in the whole of Norway, as well as the most functional habitats and corridors through which the species can move. The bees’ movements are highly governed by the availability of meadows, topography and climate, information important to consider when prioritising areas for conservation and restoration.

If we safeguard solitary bees, we also safeguard numerous other pollinators, which are essential for several ecosystem services. Therefore, solitary bees were prioritised as one of the first groups of species for which we created maps of Green Infrastructure, explains Senior Researcher at NINA and head of the research group, Manuela Panzacchi.

She further highlights that the maps represent a first attempt to identify the most functional core areas and corridors for wild pollinators in Norway. Such knowledge has the potential to support Norway's National pollinator strategy and Action Plan for wild pollinating insects, with the aim of safeguarding, restoring and improving their habitats.

Moving forests in a changing climate

Mapping of trees was prioritized, as forests contain 60 percent of all plant and animal species in Norway. Maps for 14 tree species show the connection between suitable areas today and suitable areas in 2030, 2060, 2100, in light of climate change. 

Models show a movement northwards and towards higher elevations for most tree species, especially for some conifers such as spruce. This is expected to have consequences for the future conservation of biodiversity, for forest management and the provision of ecosystem services.

The report also presents a "climate vulnerability index", which shows vulnerable areas due to climate change in Scandinavia (every 100 m) and in Europe (every 10 km), as well as maps showing areas that could be naturally colonized by deciduous trees, and areas that would become suitable, but are too far from other deciduous forests to be naturally colonized.

The amount of habitat suitable in 2100 (dark blue) will be far greater than the area a species will be able to colonize naturally (light blue). Hence, Norwegian temperate deciduous forests won’t be able to fully track the speed of climatic changes naturally.

Moose maps can increase traffic safety

For moose, we have created maps for winter, the time of year with the greatest chance of traffic related collisions, explains Panzacchi.

The maps provide the first landscape perspective of functional areas and barriers for moose in Norway and can be used to quantify human-made habitat loss, identify areas for restoration or other management measures (e.g. wildlife passages and fences to allow for moose movements while increasing traffic safety), and predict effects of climate change.

Moose in winter. Good habitat quality is widespread in Norway (map 1: dark green = good quality), but the most functional areas (light areas in map 3) are both suitable and well connected. Map 4 shows corridors with light colour, and map 2 barriers with dark colour.

Read the report (summary in English): NINA Rapport 2371 – Nasjonal kartlegging av grønn infrastruktur 

Map portal and prototype application for Green Infrastructure: https://konnektivitetskart.nina.no/Map-Portal

Contact: Manuela Panzacchi

NINA opens Centre for Biodiversity Genetics

Jan Arne Stokmo

2022-10-25T13:07:00.0000000 2022-10-25T14:53:35.6400000

The official opening of NINAGEN was carried out by State Secretary Aleksander Øren Heen from the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Present at the opening were many of the users of NINA's genetic laboratory services.

Strengthens nature monitoring

All living things have their own unique DNA profile and access to these ‘biological nametags’ opens up a new world of possibilities for efficiently gathering knowledge about individuals, species and ecosystems. Genetic analyses have become an increasingly important part of contemporary nature management and NINA has a long track record of suppling genetic data and its conclusion to government and industry.

– DNA analyses have become a key tool in natural resource management and assignments from the government and other institutions are only increasing. Today we are opening a new, modern laboratory and establishing a new centre of competence to meet this growing demand, says Norunn S. Myklebust, managing director of NINA.

DNA has many uses

NINAGEN delivers genetic services to many areas of nature management. For example, DNA analyses are used when monitoring populations of Scandinavian carnivores, including brown bears, wolverines, wolves and golden eagles.

NINAGEN also uses DNA to monitor the condition of wild salmonid fishes in Norway and for example to quantify the degree of hybridization between wild and farmed salmon in Norwegian rivers.

With Environmental DNA, NINAGEN can simultaneously identify the presence of hundreds of species from only a small sample of water or soil. This methodology can also be used to assess the diets of individual animals via genetic analysis of fecal samples.

– New applications for the use of DNA in monitoring and research are continually emerging, and among others, have been implemented by NINAGEN staff in the management of deer, salamander, insect and plant populations. NINA stands at the cutting edge of this work, says Myklebust.

NINAGEN – a national centre of competence

The Centre for Biodiversity Genetics in Trondheim consists of several geneticists and researchers from various disciplines. Together with a team of experienced laboratory technicians, the centre forms a unique research platform, which can deliver a broad portfolio of genetic analyses. This capability is strengthened by a close collaboration with NINA's many ecologists and taxonomic specialists.

The centre provides services across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, and in organism groups ranging from insects and plants to birds and mammals.

Genetic diversity is very important

– Genetic variation is a key part of biological diversity and is critical for the survival and adaptation of all species. This is more relevant than ever given the rapid pace of environmental change that is unfolding around the world. In this respect, NINAGEN will work efficiently to meet the increasing demand for genetic services, says Frode Fossøy, senior researcher at NINA.

For a research field that is constantly advancing due to technological development, NINAGEN will ensure that contemporary knowledge and methodology are efficiently implemented in Norwegian natural resource management.

Read more about NINAGEN on our new website (link)

Contact persons in NINA: 

Norunn S. Myklebust, managing director of NINA
Jonas Kindberg, head of Rovdata 
Frode Fossøy, senior researcher at NINA

A ray of hope for the golden deer of Myanmar

Bjørg Bruset

2019-05-29T14:24:00.0000000 2019-06-03T14:26:42.0000000

For a rare species Eld’s deer has many names! Variously known as thamin, golden deer or brow-antlered deer (Rucervus eldii in latin) the species is native to eastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and parts of China.