ABSTRACT
The changes in Arctic vegetation due to climate change are forecasted to be of great magnitude, with a general productivity increase, increased shrub abundance, an advancing tree-line and a changing functional composition as the most prominent processes. The different Rangifer subspecies have adapted to many different types of forage throughout their distribution range. In the winter, Rangifer are dependent on reaching their forage by digging through the snow layers. Rangifer impact vegetation not only through foraging itself, but also by trampling and by fertilizing the ground with nutritious manure. In addition to generally increased temperatures in northern regions, climate change may impact wind and precipitation patterns and humidity, and may also represent increased weather variability. Since 2006, Bluetongue virus expanded its distribution to northern Europe, possibly associated with climate change. Antibodies against Schmallenberg virus were found in cattle, and the virus was detected in biting midges in the southern part of the Europe.
