Effects of a power line on migration and range use of wild reindeer

Abstract Linear infrastructures such as roads, pipelines and power lines can hinder Rangifer migration and reduce the total amount of area available for foraging. We studied the barrier and aversion effect of a 66 kV power line transecting the range of wild reindeer in North Ottadalen, south central Norway using aerial surveys of reindeer distribution (direct measurement of reindeer use) and lichen measurements (indirect measurement of reindeer use) at varying distances from both sides of the power line. We present a clear definition of the expected barrier and aversion effects, and present specific hypotheses and predictions based on these two terms that are often used unclearly in the literature. The aerial surveys and ground observations showed that reindeer crossed underneath and grazed under and on both sides of the power line during 14 out of the 22 years (63.6%) surveys were conducted over the last 31 years. This behaviour was confirmed by the lichen measurements, indicating a higher use of lichen pastures along ridges close to and under the power line compared to those at increasing distances and up to 3 km from both sides of the power line. This winter grazing pattern probably reflects the topographical channeling of reindeer to the ridges along an 8 km wide topographical corridor encompassing the power line and cannot be attributed to the power line itself. We found that direct measurement data (visual observations such as ours or GPS/telemetry tracking) provide less ambiguous information for testing barrier and aversion effects than indirect measurement data (pasture/lichen measurements) that are likely influenced by numerous uncontrollable environmental variables independent of reindeer grazing. Our results contrast with recent studies indicating strong barrier and aversion effects of similar power lines for Rangifer migration and grazing behaviour in alpine terrain.