Study of the Alaska Tundra with Reference to its Reactions to Reindeer and other Grazing Page: 21
ii, 48 p. : ill., fold. maps ; 24 cm.View a full description of this report.
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STUDY OF THE ALASKA TUNDRA
cent Alaska tea and cranberry, 50 percent lichens, and 10 percent
mosses. The lichens averaged 31/2 inches in height.
Summary.-From the history of these quadrats it is apparent
that lichen range is quick to react to any disturbance. The
length of time required for recovery is directly proportional to
the degree of disturbance. Revegetation occurs both by invasion
from established plants in surrounding areas and by the estab-
lishment of new individuals within the area. The reestablish-
ment of lichens is very slow. The picked quadrat made the most
rapid and satisfactory recovery, and as this treatment closely
simulates the grazing action of reindeer when they are loosely
herded, it would seem that open herding, once over, on this type
of range and then allowing a. lapse of 6 to 8 years for recovery
would be the most conservative manner of utilizing it. It ap-
pears that trampling has a greater damaging effect upon lichens
than has actual grazing or removal of plant parts; open herding
would minimize this damage.
The use of 1-meter-square quadrats is important in the study
of reindeer ranges in that it has a relation to the feeding habits
of the animals. Preferably they graze for a short time on a small
area, then move on to another, even though there may remain
much forage on the area they leave. This habit results in lighter
utilization and permits a shorter period of rotation than would
be possible if the reindeer grazed evenly and closely as they
moved over the range.
The study of lichen ranges and their reaction to grazing is
extremely important. The management of winter ranges, which
are largely lichen areas, so as to keep them on a sustained yield
basis, is fundamental, as without adequate winter range there
can be no reindeer industry. Summer ranges, while equally im-
portant, are much less exacting in their management require-
ments and recover more rapidly after use.
PASTOLIK
The tundra-lichen type at Pastolik is very similar to that on
Nunivak Island. It occupies the low rolling hills just back from
the beach. The vegetation may be roughly grouped as 75 percent
lichens, 15 percent sedges, and 10 percent browse plants. The
browse species comprise ground birch, Ledum, salmonberry, Em-
petrum, and cranberry. The soil is deep, moist loam with an
abundant supply of humus.
An exclosure (fig. 8) containing four 1-meter-square quadrats
was established on this type in 1922. The last observations were
made in 1931.
Cut quadrat.-One of these quadrats was treated by cutting
off the top half of the lichen cover. The vegetation, which was
of full density (1.0), was composed of 75 percent lichens, 15
percent sedges, and 10 percent browse. Two years after estab-
lishment of the quadrat a very marked invasion of vascular
plants was noted. After 9 years the density of the vegetation
was again complete, the plant composition being estimated as
65 percent sedges, 5 percent browse, 10 percent mosses, and 2021
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Palmer, Lawrence J. & Rouse, Charles H. Study of the Alaska Tundra with Reference to its Reactions to Reindeer and other Grazing, report, 1945; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc100536/m1/26/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.