Per Sandström

Applications using estimates of forest parameters derived from satellite and forest inventory data

From the combination of optical satellite data, digital map data, and forest inventory plot data, continuous estimates have been made for several forest parameters (wood volume, age and biomass). Five different project areas within Sweden are presented which have utilized these estimates for a range of applications. The method for estimating the forest parameters was a ”k-Nearest Neighbor” algorithm, which used a weighted mean value of k spectrally similar reference plots. Reference data were obtained from the Swedish National Forest Inventory. The output was continuous estimates at the pixel level for each of the variables estimated. Validation results show that accuracy of the estimates for all parameters was low at the pixel level (e.g., for total wood volume RMSE ranged from 58-80%), with a tendency toward the mean, and an underestimation of higher values while overestimating lower values. However, when the accuracy of the estimates is assessed over larger areas, the errors are lower, with best results being 10% RMSE over a 100 ha aggregation, and 17% RMSE over a 19 ha aggregation. Applications presented in this paper include moose and bird habitat studies, county level planning activities, use as input information to prognostic programs, and computation of statistics on timber volume within drainage basins and smaller land holdings. This paper provides a background on the kNN method and gives examples of how end users are currently applying satellite-produced estimation data such as these.

Conflict resolution by participatory management: remote sensing and GIS as tools for communicating land-use needs for reindeer herding in northern Sweden.

Abstract When seeking to resolve complex land-management issues, geographical assessment of resources that are in short supply or in dispute can aid the communication of knowledge and the understanding among and between different stakeholders. In this paper, we illustrate how remote sensing and GIS can be used to gather and compile information regarding land-use activities and patterns among reindeer herders and other land users (forestry, mining, tourism, etc) in northern Sweden. The project represents a novel user-oriented effort largely based on the work carried out by the principal end user, i.e. the reindeer herders themselves. The basis for development of land-use plans for reindeer husbandry, was the following: to collect and digitally systemize traditional ecological and landscape knowledge of reindeer habitat use; to integrate this information with results from field inventories and satellite-based vegetation classifications; to map activities of other land users. The resulting land-use plans provide information that can facilitate consultation between the reindeer herders and other stakeholders and can facilitate operational work in reindeer management. This project can serve as a model for participatory involvement and planning, bringing indigenous knowledge and advanced remote-sensing techniques together in an interactive process.

Combining Satellite Imagery and Ancillary Data to Map Snowbed Vegetation Important to Reindeer Rangifer tarandus

Abstract Remote sensing provides a viable alternative for mapping vegetation in the Arctic because it allows for the mapping of discontinuous distribution of cover types over different spatial scales. In this paper we present a statistical method to map the distribution of important cover types for the reindeer Rangifer tarandus during summer in northernmost Sweden using IRS 1D-LISS satellite imagery. We exemplify our method with modeling of the distribution of snowbed vegetation, the cover type used most intensively by the reindeer in the study area. An autologistic regression model that incorporates the spatial structure of the data is used to combine the field data and the satellite image data. The terrain effects in the satellite image are accounted for in the regressions using a digital elevation model (DEM). We produced a fine-scaled coverage depicting the probability of occurrence of snowbed vegetation as a continuous variable at the pixel level. The accuracy of mapping snowbed vegetation was 69–77%, depending on the data used. We conclude that small-scale, pixel-wise classification modeling may be useful for depicting sparsely occurring cover types, some of which may be important determinants of range quality for reindeer.

Impacts of different forest management scenarios on forestry and reindeer husbandry

In northern Sweden, the forests are used simultaneously for both timber production and reindeer husbandry. During the winter months, lichen is the most important fodder for reindeer. Forest management operations are generally considered having a negative impact on reindeer husbandry as harvesting and dense stands remove or obscure the ground lichen cover. In this study, we simulate three different scenarios for forest management, differing in the intensity and types of harvest operations. The resulting 100-year scenarios are analyzed with respect to their estimated suitability for providing reindeer pasture areas. Suitability is determined by vegetation type, stand density and stand height. The results indicate that the current trend of a decrease in lichen area will continue if existing forestry practice prevails. Implementing continuous cover forestry as a management alternative and carrying out precommercial thinning could halt the decrease in reindeer pasture area and even lead to a future increase in pasture area, with losses of approximately 5% in the net present value of forestry.

HOME-RANGE SIZE AND EXAMPLES OF POST-NESTING MOVEMENTS FOR ADULT GOLDEN EAGLES (AQUILA CHRYSAETOS) IN BOREAL SWEDEN

Abstract We studied home-range size using 15 GPS-tracked adult Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in nine different territories, two in 2011 and those two as well as seven others in 2012, in northern Sweden. Home ranges were represented by 50 and 95% minimum convex polygons (MCPs) and 50, 80 and 95% kernel density estimates (KDE). In 2012, 95% MCPs ranged from 100–525 km2 for males (n  =  8), and 60–605 km2 for females (n  =  7). Mean home-range sizes for the eagles in our study were among the largest reported. Moreover, we found an inverse relationship between home-range size and the percent of clear-cuts within the range. Together these suggest that eagles in Sweden may compensate for low availability of hunting areas, e.g., lower proportion of clear-cuts in their range, by expanding their range. Some eagles displayed different forms of post-nesting movements (i.e., movements not related to breeding) during the normal breeding season in addition to the ranging within their home ranges: (i) long-distance directional movements (n  =  3), (ii) intermediate-distance movements (n  =  4), and (iii) movements within an unusually large home range (n  =  1). These movements varied considerably, with some eagles travelling nearly 700 km north into northern Finland and Norway. No adults with transmitters reproduced successfully in 2012; in four territories, nests failed and in five territories occupied by pairs we did not know if eggs were laid. Post-nesting movements, which occurred after nesting or breeding failure, occurred in a year with apparently low food supply and may have been triggered by local food shortage. TAMAÑO DEL ÁREA DE ACCIÓN Y EJEMPLOS DE MOVIMIENTOS POST-NIDIFICACIÓN DE INDIVIDUOS ADULTOS DE AQUILA CHRYSAETOS EN EL NORTE DE SUECIA Estudiamos el área de acción utilizando 15 individuos adultos de Aquila chrysaetos rastreados por GPS en nueve territorios diferentes, dos en 2011 y estos dos más siete otros en 2012, en el norte de Suecia. Las áreas de acción fueron representadas por 50 y 95% de polígonos convexos mínimos (PCMs) y 50, 80 y 95% de estimadores de densidad kernel (EDK). En 2012, 95% de los PCMs oscilaron entre 100–525 km2 para los machos (n  =  8), y 60–605 km2 para las hembras (n  =  7). Las áreas de acción medias para las águilas de nuestro estudio estuvieron entre las más grandes reportadas. Además, encontramos una relación inversa entre el tamaño del área de acción y el porcentaje de claros dentro del área. Todo esto sugiere que las águilas en Suecia pueden compensar la baja disponibilidad de áreas de caza (por ejemplo, una proporción menor de claros en su área), al expandir su área de acción. Algunas águilas presentaron diferentes formas de movimientos post-nidificación (i.e., movimientos no relacionados con la cría) durante la época reproductiva normal además de los movimientos dentro de sus áreas de acción: (i) movimientos direccionales de larga distancia (n  =  3), (ii) movimientos de distancias intermedias (n  =  4) y (iii) movimientos dentro de un área de acción inusualmente grande (n  =  1). Estos movimientos variaron considerablemente, con algunas águilas viajando cerca de 700 km en dirección norte hacia el norte de Finlandia y Noruega. Ningún adulto con transmisor se reprodujo con éxito en 2012; en cuatro territorios, los nidos fallaron y en cinco territorios ocupados por parejas no llegamos a saber si hubo puesta de huevos. Los movimientos post-nidificación, que ocurrieron luego de un anidamiento o cría fallidos, ocurrieron en un año de aparente baja disponibilidad de alimento y pueden haber sido ocasionados por la escasez local de alimento.

Effects of mining on reindeer/caribou populations and indigenous livelihoods: community-based monitoring by Sami reindeer herders in Sweden and First Nations in Canada

This paper explores the effects of human disturbances associated with mine development in the Arctic on habitat and populations of reindeer/caribou (both Rangifer tarandus), and implications for reindeer husbandry and caribou hunting of indigenous Sami people in Sweden and First Nations in Canada. Through three case studies, we illustrate how Cree and Naskapi communities develop community-based geospatial information tools to collect field data on caribou migration and habitat changes, and how Sami reindeer herders use GIS to gather information about reindeer husbandry to better communicate impacts of mining on reindeer grazing areas. Findings indicate impacts on the use of disturbed habitat by reindeer/caribou, on migration routes, and northern livelihoods. The three cases present novel methods for community-based environmental monitoring, with applications in hazards mapping and denote the active engagement of indigenous communities in polar environmental assessments, generating community-oriented data for land use management decisions. They also illustrate how technology can lead to better communication and its role for empowerment.

Combining spatiotemporal corridor design for reindeer migration with harvest scheduling in Northern Sweden

ABSTRACT Reindeer husbandry and commercial forestry seek to co-exist in the forests of Northern Sweden. As interwoven as the two industries are, conflicts have arisen. Forest practices have reduced the distribution of lichen, the main winter diet for reindeer. Forest practices have also increased forest density, compromising the animals’ ability to pass through forested areas on their migration routes. In an attempt to reduce impacts on reindeer husbandry, we present a spatially explicit harvest scheduling model that includes reindeer corridors with user-defined spatial characteristics. We illustrate the model in a case study and explore the relationship between timber revenues and the selection and maintenance of reindeer corridors. The corridors are not only to include sufficient lichen habitat, but they are also supposed to ensure access for reindeer by connecting lichen areas with linkages that allow unobstructed travel. Since harvest scheduling occurs over a planning horizon, the spatial configuration of corridors can change from one time period to the next in order to accommodate harvesting activities. Our results suggest that maintaining reindeer corridors in harvest scheduling can be done at minimal cost. Also, we conclude that including corridor constraints in the harvest scheduling model is critical to guarantee connectivity of reindeer pastures.

Habitat selection by adult Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos during the breeding season and implications for wind farm establishment

ABSTRACT Capsule: Global Positioning System (GPS)-tagged adult Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos breeding in forests in northern Sweden selected clear-cuts, coniferous forests with lichens and steep slopes during the breeding season but avoided wetlands and mixed forest. Aims: To investigate the habitat selection patterns of tree-nesting Golden Eagles, and identify how potential conflicts with wind farm development could be minimized. Methods: The study is based on GPS tracking data from 22 adult eagles. We estimated home range sizes using a biased random bridge approach and habitat selection patterns using resource selection functions following a use-availability design. Results: Core home range size among adults was variable during the breeding season (5–30 km2). Individual movement extents were variable, but sexes did not significantly differ in their scale of movement. At the landscape scale, individuals selected for clear-cuts and coniferous forest with ground lichens, whereas wetland, water bodies and mixed forest were avoided. Steeper and south facing slopes were selected for, whereas, north facing slopes were avoided. Conclusions: Potential conflicts between eagles and wind energy establishment can be reduced if wind farms are placed away from steep slopes, minimizing areas that are clear-cut during construction, and locating turbines within dense, young and other less favoured forest habitats.

Between protocol and reality : Swedish municipal comprehensive planning

ABSTRACT Spatial planning using a landscape approach has been recognized as being essential for reconciling ecological, cultural and socio-economic dimensions in sustainable development (SuD). Although embraced as a concept, there is a lack of planning tools capable of incorporating multi-level, multifunctional and multi-sectoral perspectives, especially in a rural context. The departure point in this paper is the legal requirements for municipal comprehensive planning (MCP) in Sweden and an e-mail survey about incentives, stakeholder involvement, policy integration and implementation in MCP in all 15 Swedish mountain municipalities. The purpose of this explorative study is to examine whether MCP could be a tool in planning for SuD. Results indicate a general lack of resources and a low status of MCP that affect, and even limit, stakeholder involvement, policy integration and implementation. However, legal requirements for MCP are targeted at SuD, and municipal personnel responsible for planning appreciate the potential of MCP. Therefore, there is potential to develop the MCP into an effective landscape planning tool. To accomplish this, the status of an active planning process has to be raised, the mandate of the local planning agency has to be secured, and residents and land users have to be involved throughout the planning process.

Interactions Between Forest Owners and Their Forests

More than half of the forest land in Europe is privately owned, and ownership structure is known to have implications for management, production of timber and other forest products and services that support the transformation towards a green economy. This chapter provides examples of how we can gain knowledge about the forest and forest owner/user relationship from a structural point of view. Sweden is taken as an example because of the accessibility of continuous data on forest conditions, ownership and demographic data. It is concluded that the pace of change in ownership structure and forest management behaviour is slow. Further, neither the ongoing migration, urbanisation, ageing population nor the increased proportion of women seems to reduce the willingness to manage and harvest.