21
5. GENERAL CONCLUSION AND MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
This study found differences in faeces density that indicated reindeer avoidance in relation to a hiking trail in Setesdal-Ryfylke. However, the faecal pattern may reflect reindeer’s preferences for higher altitudes and the trail’s location at lower elevations, as correlation was revealed between elevation and distance to trail. Insect harassments are known to be an important factor determining animal’s trade-offs between quality foraging areas and escaping plagues. Hence, the current indication of avoidance may not be related to the hiking trail itself or to reindeer’s association of humans, but to elevation or other non-measured variables.
Since other studies have found negative effect of human disturbance on reindeer in relation to hiking trails, future studies should include extra robust study design to control the numerous environmental variables influencing reindeer behaviour, movement and area use over time. Pasture measurements and variation in topography alone are not sufficient to conclude whether reindeer area use has been influenced by human activity, and registrations of snow conditions, climate, insect harassment, natural barriers and fragmentation of the ranges should be included. Additionally, pellet count data should be corrected for possible differences in decay rate in different vegetation types (Skarin 2008). For future studies, it can be beneficial to include direct observations (i.e. GPS registrations), since a combination of direct and indirect measurements represents a good basis for interpreting reindeer area use over time.
For future development and the management of reindeer areas, stakeholders and management authorities would find it beneficial to obtain a set of data on the possible effect of human presence on reindeer populations, and the potential change in habitat use for decision-making. The outcome of this study can be used as predictions on reindeer responses towards human hiking activities and provide reliable guidelines regarding the planning and usage of new and existing DNT trails in several reindeer areas in Norway. Alternative management options include directing visitors to parts of wild reindeer areas that are known to be of less importance to the animals, and change the location of marked trails that currently fragment large continuously reindeer habitat.
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