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Warming Arctic: Rain on Snow Threatens Reindeer Survival
7 Jan
Summary
- Warming winters cause rain-on-snow events, creating ice layers.
- Ice layers impede reindeer's ability to access food like lichen and moss.
- Reindeer birth rates have declined following winters with frequent icing.
Reindeer in the Arctic face a growing challenge from a warming climate, which ironically hinders their ability to find food. As winters become warmer, more frequent rain-on-snow events occur. These events cause snow to melt and refreeze, forming impenetrable ice layers that prevent reindeer from reaching their primary food sources of lichen and moss with their specialized hooves.
Scientific findings presented in December reveal a concerning trend: reindeer birth rates have declined in summers following winters with extensive rain-on-snow occurrences. Climate records dating back to 1960 confirm an increase in warmer winters, leading to more of these detrimental icing events across Arctic regions. Areas with large reindeer populations are experiencing heightened competition for limited food.
These research outcomes, highlighted at a recent geophysical conference, indicate that rain-on-snow events are becoming more common, earlier, and widespread. The findings aim to inform future land-use strategies, potentially guiding herders toward areas less impacted by these climate-driven food access issues to better support reindeer populations.
