(1) Institute of Arctic Studies, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
(2) Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775
(3) Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland SF-96101

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An international group of eighty Rangifer users, managers, and social and natural scientists gathered at the Arctic Center in Rovaniemi, Finland in February of 1999 for an interdisciplinary workshop with a Circumpolar focus. The goal of the workshop was to formulate a research plan for studies of the human role in reindeer/caribou systems. Small group discussions were organized with six themes: hunting systems, herding systems, rangeland/habitat protection, minimizing industrial impacts, maintaining the strength of indigenous cultures, and responding to global change. Each working group generated substantive research questions and focused attention on issues related to research practices. Cross-cutting themes from the workshop include:

· Improve the ability to anticipate and respond to change - Today's unprecedented socioeconomic, environmental, and political changes underscore the need to investigate more thoroughly and articulate more clearly the risks and benefits associated with policy choices. Central to this enterprise is the problem of assessing cumulative impacts.

· Understand better the dynamics of Human-Rangifer Systems - Among the approaches recommended are circumpolar comparative studies, new approaches to integrated regional monitoring and assessment, the creation of a meta-database of information sources, and studies that consider how cultural perspectives shape norms and values in the use of Rangifer resources.

· Develop new methods - Among the most forcefully stated directives was the call to develop new research methodologies that are holistic in approach and provide meaningful involvement for indigenous resource users in the co-production of knowledge.

· Facilitate better communication among groups - Research projects need more effective communication that enables Arctic residents to understand better the findings of studies, assume a role in framing research questions, and participate in research information exchanges. Research agendas should be formulated in closer cooperation with user organizations.

· Organize researchers into a stronger and better coordinated network -There is a need to capitalize on emerging technologies (e.g., the internet), develop stronger links among researchers, create improved circumpolar collaboration, and make the Rovaniemi research-planning exercise an on-going process. Development of new technologies should be balanced with traditional methods of networking for those without access to high-tech systems.

· Reframe the paradigm - The complexity of Human-Rangifer Systems and their current rate of change point up the need for a critical review of theories and assumptions used in conventional Rangifer analysis, and for frameworks that account for differing cultural perspectives, while at the same time building on the tremendous knowledge base already available.

The research plan is established as a living document and developed through an interactive web-based Rangifer resource guide, located at http://www.rangifer.net for the purpose of networking people and advancing the agenda identified in Rovaniemi. Working groups addressing specific problem areas will be convened in the future to address research issues raised in Rovaniemi. The workshop’s transactions illustrate the challenges of circumpolar research planning, and the evolving plan offers a model for formulating and coordinating Human-Rangifer System research agendas in the future.