Study of the Alaska Tundra with Reference to its Reactions to Reindeer and other Grazing Page: 38
ii, 48 p. : ill., fold. maps ; 24 cm.View a full description of this report.
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38 RESEARCH REPORT 10, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
density of the vegetation had been reduced to 0.9. The composi-
tion was estimated to be 80 percent lichens, 15 percent mosses,
and 5 percent grasses. Bare areas had developed. When the
area was last examined in 1932 the density of the vegetation was
estimated to be 0.8. Lichens made up 80 percent of the cover,
with mosses the remaining 20 percent. The average height of
the lichens was 31/2 inches. Some very small new lichen growth
was noted in the previously bare areas.
The opening up of the lichen stand on this quadrat allowed
the mosses to increase. The lichen growth appeared, but the
increase in mosses and lichens was not rapid enough to maintain
a complete vegetative cover. The cause of this reduction of the
lichen stand is not known and further observations should be
made.
Check quadrat No. 2.-The fourth quadrat in this group was
established in 1929. The vegetative cover was complete and was
composed of 85 percent lichens, 10 percent mosses, and 5 percent
weeds (Epilobium and Equisetum). When the area was last
examined in 1932 the density of the vegetation was estimated to
be 0.975. The cover was composed of 95 percent lichens, 4 per-
cent mosses, and 1 percent weeds (Equisetum). The lichens aver-
aged 4 inches in height. It appears that lichens increased on this
quadrat, displacing the mosses and weeds. These observations,
however, are not complete enough as yet to warrant definite con-
clusions.
Quadrat No. 5.-The fifth quadrat in this group was also
established in 1929. It appeared to have been badly trampled,
and it is thought that the area may have been scraped in 1922.
There was a scattering of dead lichens as though the area had
been grazed. The density of the vegetation was 0.6 and it was
estimated that half of it was dead. Stereocaulon made up 65
percent of the total cover. In 1932 the plant density was 0.8, and
it was estimated that the vegetation was composed of 90 percent
lichens, 6 percent mosses, and 4 percent birch, Carex, Equisetum,
and Epilobium. The vegetation on this area appeared to be
changing rapidly, but these observations are, as yet, too meager
to be conclusive.
ALPINE-DRYAS TYPE
EGAVIK
The alpine-dryas type occupies the summits of the higher
ridges and hills back from the coast in the Norton Sound region.
It is not of much economic importance as forage for reindeer
because of its short growth. It is chiefly valuable for holding the
soil against erosion, conserving moisture, and serving as forage
for such rodents as parka squirrels and marmots. The vegeta-
tion is composed largely of low-growing mat forms, of which
Drya& octopetala is the most important. Antennaria and Phlox
also are found in this type, along with a few sedges and such
fine grasses as Poa and Festuca. The soil is shallow and rocky,
with a slight layer of humus. Soil moisture is plentiful during
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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/m1/43/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.