The effects of outdoor recreation on range use by semi‐domesticated reindeer

The effects of a large holiday resort on the distribution and range use of semi‐domesticated reindeer were studied in the three most important habitat types in Saariselkä, eastern Finnish Lapland. In two of these habitats the relative reindeer densities increased in winter, when outdoor activities declined reaching density equal to the average for the herding association at a distance of about 10 km from the holiday resort. In summer, male reindeer adapted better than females to the proximity of the holiday resort. The feeding site preferences of the reindeer during winter followed, in general, the normal pattern in areas with little human interference. Although the economic value of the range loss appeared small compared to the gain from outdoor enterprises, better planning is needed to avoid the harmful effects of recreation on reindeer management.