This project, , 'Human Role in Reindeer / Caribou Systems', is an outgrowth of an International Workshop on The Human Role in Reindeer/Caribou Systems: 'Coping with Threats to Environmental Security in Northern Landscapes' organized by Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth College and Arctic Centre and hosted by the Arctic Centre in Rovaniemi, Finland, 10-14 February 1999.

Caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) play a crucial role in human habitation of the Arctic by providing food, shelter, and transportation. The animals are central to the cultures of many indigenous peoples, including the Chukchi, Cree, Dene, Even, Evenki, Gwich'in, Innu, Inuit, Metis, Nenets, Saami, Sakha (Yakut), Yukagir, and Yupiit. Changes in caribou and reindeer systems that may adversely impact these and other arctic residents include reductions in grazing land and resources as a result of large-scale development by mining and hydrocarbon industries, habitat alteration due to global warming and pollution, and shifts from subsistence hunting and herding to commercial herding. Fundamental changes in economic, political, and legal structures also affect indigenous peoples and their use of natural resources.The effects of these changes on caribou and reindeer systems and their relationship to indigenous peoples are potentially extreme, but have received little scientific study.

This website will facilitate the realization of the following goals:

• a comprehensive science plan which identifies the gaps in prior research and existing cooperative arrangements and proposes a strategy to fill the gaps
• a network that combines scientists, the user community, and those engaged in managing and protecting reindeer/caribou systems

In addition to these, on this website you will find links to past and ongoing research projects on reindeer/caribou, links to various pages and sites with information on Rangifer tarandus, detailed profile of caribou herds, announcements about current events and news on caribou, and much more useful and interesting information.