Mapping wetlands in Sápmi

The 'Wetlands in Sápmi' project emphasizes the critical importance of Arctic wetlands for forest Sámi reindeer herders, providing essential grazing, calving grounds, and climate respite. These ecosystems also serve as global carbon sinks, storing approximately 20% of the world's carbon. The document advocates for Participatory Topological Mapping (PTM) to capture the dynamic social-ecological relationships that conventional GIS mapping misses, thereby preventing the exploitation of areas erroneously assumed to be unused. It recommends that policymakers implement Indigenous engagement frameworks, data-driven protections for critical herding areas, and integrated land management plans to enhance climate resilience and preserve Sámi cultural heritage.

• Arctic wetlands are critical for the survival and well-being of forest Sámi reindeer husbandry, serving as nutrient-rich calving grounds and providing essential grazing areas abundant in lichen and other vegetation, especially during spring and summer. They also offer reindeer protection from heat and insects during hotter summer months.
• On a global scale, Arctic wetlands act as the planet's largest regional carbon storage, containing an estimated 20% or more of the world's stored carbon, primarily within peat soils. This makes them vital for regulating the global climate and buffering against climate change impacts.
• Arctic wetlands face dual threats from direct human activities—such as commercial development and infrastructure projects that fragment land and alter hydrological flows—and indirect threats from warming temperatures that accelerate permafrost thaw and reduce precipitation.
• Conventional GIS mapping is insufficient for protecting these areas because it provides static representations and lacks local social context, which can lead to the erroneous assumption that wetlands are unused and thus open to exploitation.
• Participatory Topological Mapping (PTM) is an innovative methodology that co-produces knowledge by documenting oral histories and hand-drawn maps from reindeer herders. This approach values Indigenous knowledge on par with scientific research and highlights dynamic social-ecological relationships.
• To support wetland stewardship and Sámi livelihoods, the document recommends five policy actions: establishing Indigenous community engagement frameworks, using participatory mapping data for policy, creating integrated land management plans with buffer zones, providing financial and technical support to Sámi communities, and investing in climate resilience projects like wetland restoration.

APA

Johnsen, K. I., Westerveld, L., Persson, A.-M., Stenberg, J., Juntti, K.-J., & Carson, M. (2025). Mapping wetlands in Sápmi. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/mapping-sapmi-wetlands-brief-sei2025-051.pdf

Chicago

Johnsen, Kathrine I., Levi Westerveld, Anna-Marja Persson, Jörgen Stenberg, Karl-Johan Juntti, and Marcus Carson. Mapping wetlands in Sápmi. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2025. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/mapping-sapmi-wetlands-brief-sei2025-051.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Johnsen |first1=Kathrine I. |last2=Westerveld |first2=Levi |last3=Persson |first3=Anna-Marja |last4=Stenberg |first4=Jörgen |last5=Juntti |first5=Karl-Johan |last6=Carson |first6=Marcus |title=Mapping wetlands in Sápmi |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=November 2025 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/mapping-sapmi-wetlands-brief-sei2025-051.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{johnsen2025mapping, author = {Johnsen, Kathrine I. and Westerveld, Levi and Persson, Anna-Marja and Stenberg, Jörgen and Juntti, Karl-Johan and Carson, Marcus}, title = {{Mapping wetlands in Sápmi}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/mapping-sapmi-wetlands-brief-sei2025-051.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }