Greening conceals evergreening: contrasting trends for a socio-ecological system in Arctic Europe
Preprint 2022 English
Authors
MT
Maria Tuomi
TU
Tove Aagnes Utsi
NY
Nigel G. Yoccoz
Abstract
1 min read
Ongoing Arctic greening can increase productivity and reindeer pasture quality in the tundra. However, greening may also entail proliferation of unpalatable species, with distinct consequences for pastoral socio-ecological systems (SES). We show extensive greening across 20 reindeer districts in northern Norway between 2003 and 2020. The allelopathic, evergreen dwarf-shrub crowberry biomass increased by 60%, contrasted by smaller increases of deciduous dwarf-shrubs and stagnating forb and graminoid biomass. We found evidence, although uncertain, of a negative relationship between biomass and reindeer densities, but only among forbs, the least abundant plant group. Our results challenge the management decision-making, which aims at sustainable pasture management, but which assumes stationary density-dependent relationships. Changes in temporal vs. spatial relationships should be included as management criteria, to avoid mismanaging a SES in transition. Large-scale shift towards increased allelopathy may undermine the resource base of a key Arctic herbivore and pastoral SES.
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