Global Environmental Change 17 (2007) 191–206 Saami reindeer pastoralism under climate change: Applying a generalized framework for vulnerability studies to a sub-arctic social–ecological system $ N.J.C. Tyler a,Ã , J.M. Turi b , M.A. Sundset c , K. Strøm Bull d , M.N. Sara e , E. Reinert f,g , N. Oskal e , C. Nellemann h , J.J. McCarthy i , S.D. Mathiesen e,j , M.L. Martello k , O.H. Magga e , G.K. Hovelsrud l , I. Hanssen-Bauer m , N.I. Eira n , I.M.G. Eira e , R.W. Corell o a Centre for Saami Studies, University of Tromsø, Tromsø N-9037, Norway b Association of World Reindeer Herders, N-9520 Guovdageaidnu, Norway c Department of Arctic Biology and Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway d Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Oslo, Norway e Saami University College, N-9520 Guovdageaidnu, Norway f Norwegian Institute of Strategic Studies (NORISS), Youngstorget 5, N-0181 Oslo, Norway g Tallinn University of Technology, Su ¨ tiste 21, Tallinn, Estonia h UNEP GRID-Arendal /NINA, Fakkelgaarden, Storhove, N-2624 Lillehammer, Norway i Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA j Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, N-9292 Tromsø, Norway k Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA l CICERO—Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research-Oslo, P.O. Box 1129, Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway m Norwegian Meteorological Institute, P.O. Box 43, Blindern, N-0313 Oslo, Norway n Fossbakken, N-9357 Tennevoll, Norway o American Meteorological Society, 1120 G Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005-3826, USA Received 26 January 2006; received in revised form 8 June 2006; accepted 12 June 2006 Abstract A generalized vulnerability framework was used to structure an interdisciplinary and intercultural examination of factors that influence the ways in which reindeer pastoralism in Finnmark (northern Norway) may be affected by climate change. Regional and local (downscaled) climate projections included scenarios that can potentially influence foraging conditions for reindeer. None of the projections were without precedent; several climate change events in Finnmark during the last 100 years were at least as great as those projected in the next 20–30 years. Herders’ traditional responses to changes in both the natural and the socio-economic environments have depended on a flexibility in herding practice that is currently being eroded by several non-climate factors. The reduced of freedom of action resulting from loss of habitat, predation and aspects of governance (especially economic and legal constraints) potentially dwarves the putative effects of projected climate change on reindeer pastoralism. It may, however, also lead to situations in which new climatic conditions threaten the system in unprecedented ways. Developing appropriate methodologies for assessing the adaptive capacity, the vulnerability and the resilience of social–ecological systems to global changes remains a challenge. Recognition of the knowledge systems of Arctic cultures and the full engagement of local people throughout the process are key elements of the solution. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Climate change; Downscaling; Finnmark; Pastoralism; Reindeer; Saami; Traditional knowledge; Transhumance; Vulnerability Terminology In this paper we distinguish between the terms reindeer ‘husbandry’ and reindeer ‘herding’ (cf. Paine, 1964). We ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.com/locate/gloenvcha 0959-3780/$ - see front matter r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.06.001 $ This paper is an expanded version of ‘Case 3: Reindeer nomadism in Finnmark, Norway’ included in McCarthy et al. (2005). Ã Corresponding author. Tel.:+47 77 64 47 88/+47 90 57 72 98; fax: +47 77 64 63 33. E-mail address: nicholas.tyler@ib.uit.no (N.J.C. Tyler).