EFFECTS OF ABIOTIC FACTORS ON DOMINANCE, DIURNAL ACTIVITIES AND HEART RATE OF FEMALE REINDEER (RANGIFER TARANDUS TARANDUS) IN A FENCED WINTER PASTURE IN FINNISH LAPLAND.

The article discusses a study which showed how external parameters such as snow and temperature can influence diurnal activities including feeding behavior, heart rate and dominance behaviour of female reindeer in a fenced pasture area during winter. The hierarchy was studied between two study periods within a group of female reindeer. The study found new knowledge about the dominance relationships, competition and feeding activities among deer in winter conditions, which is said to be important in reindeer herding management.