Vinterbetesområdets förändring för Flakabergsgruppen i Gällivare skogssameby över två renskötande generationer : hur betesresursen har nyttjats för renskötsel och påverkats av skogsbruk

Abstract: The Sámi is an indigenous people in Sweden, and they have the right to carry out reindeer herding. The knowledge that exists within reindeer herding is included in traditional Sámi knowledge, which is centred around the relationship between nature, animal and human. Today the situation between reindeer herding and forestry is relevant. Previous studies agree that forestry negatively affects the reindeer’s winter grazing. The aim of this study was to describe and document how the winter grazing area has changed over time for the Flakaberg-group within the Gällivare reindeer herding community over two generations of reindeer herders. The description was achieved qualitatively through interviews and the documentation was done with a geographical information system. The results show that the winter grazing area for the Flakaberg-group has become more widespread over the two generations, although the grazing resource itself has decreased and become more fragmented. The alteration that has happened when it comes how the winter grazing area has been used for reindeer herding is that nowadays all the available pastures must be used every year. Regarding how forestry has altered the winter grazing area it is demonstrated that forestry has a negative impact through for example clear-cutting, soil scarification, and the establishment of Pinus contorta. In the discussion the method is evaluated, the alteration of the winter grazing area over time is discussed and the results are compared with previous studies. The discussion is concluded by giving proposals on how forestry can develop and the problem with cumulative effects is highlighted.