Study of the Alaska Tundra with Reference to its Reactions to Reindeer and other Grazing Page: 29
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STUDY OF THE ALASKA TUNDRA
Spaded quadrat.-The second quadrat in this group was simi-
lar in appearance to the first, when established. The vegetation
on the area was completely removed by spading it up. At the
end of the first year there was a pure stand of sedges with a
density of 0.2. After 4 years the plant density had increased
to 0.6, the vegetation being composed of 90 percent Carex and
10 percent fine grasses of undetermined species but thought to
be bluegrass. At the end of the fifth year, after being trampled
by reindeer, the vegetation was a pure stand of Carex of 0.5
density.
Check quadrat.-Originally the check quadrat was very simi-
lar to the others in the group. It had a vegetative cover of ap-
proximately 0.4 density composed of 90 percent Carex and 10
percent mosses. It was left undisturbed for comparison with
the other quadrats and to observe the effect of protection. After
4 years the vegetation was made up of 90 percent Carex and 10
percent fine grasses. The density was estimated to be 0.65. A
very small moss growing between the sedge clumps,, if included,
would bring the density up to 0.8. During the fifth year, after
being trampled by reindeer, the vegetation was again reduced
to 0.5 density and was composed of a pure stand of Carex.
Summary.-On this wet-tundra type the vegetation readily re-
covered after denudation of the area, an almost pure stand of
Carex coming in. Under protection density increased and an in-
vasion of fine grasses was noted. One season without protection,
however, was sufficient to undo the progress of 4 years and render
the area substantially the same as when the studies were started.
It would be interesting to continue the study to determine the
progress and effect of the grass invasion.
GRASS-BROWSE TYPE
NUNIVAK ISLAND
The grass-browse type is of rather limited occurrence and of
minor importance compared with the types that make up the
greater part of the reindeer ranges. It is confined to shallow
gulches and along stream courses and does not extend far to
either side. The limiting factors are probably soil and soil mois-
ture, and it is likely that drifting snow exerts an influence. The
soil is fine, deep loam, very rich in humus. It is wet, if not satu-
rated, during most of the growing season. The vegetation is
predominantly willows and grasses. Other plants found in lesser
abundance in this habitat are Carex, Ranunculus, Potentilla, Peta-
sites, Polemonium, Equisetum, and Epilobium. Bryum and a few
lichens, largely species of Cladonia, are found occasionally under-
neath the other plants.
A fenced exclosure containing three 1-meter-square quadrats
for studying this type was erected in 1927 about 11/2 miles south
of the native village at Cape Etolin on Nunivak Island (fig.:12).
Spaded quadrat.-The first quadrat in this group was com-
pletely covered with a rank growth of Arctagrostis and willows.
The willows shaded about 70 percent of the area. This vegeta-29
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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/m1/34/?rotate=270: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.