Multiscale Analysis of the Dynamics in Reindeer Herding in Arctic Regions: Geographical Shifts and Intraregional and Local Differences

Abstract

The article presents a multiscale analysis of domesticated reindeer herding in Arctic regions. The analysis revealed factors that have the strongest effect on the dynamics of reindeer livestock at different spatial levels (international, national, and regional) and determined the causes of geographical shifts in domesticated reindeer herding toward the western tundra zone and the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug’s loss of its leading position in number of domesticated reindeer in the post-Soviet period. With a case study of the okrug, we identified intraregional (across municipal districts) shifts and factors affecting them (economic, political, institutional, natural–climatic, and sociocultural). This is the first time that information across all reindeer farms of Chukotka has been systematized and generalized, which has provided insight into particularities of the post-Soviet transformation in select enterprises. Based on field research data collected on regional farms in rural localities or villages of Neshkan, Konergino, and Tavaivaam, we studied in detail local characteristics of development of the industry. It has been inferred that during years of economic crisis, trends in head of reindeer in Chukotka were in sync with the overall economic situation in the country at all spatial levels, although the correlation was not as strong during years of economic stability. Within the industry, intraregional and local contrasts and differences become more pronounced during crisis, and, conversely, subside during a period of stability and growth.