Abstract
We conducted an 8-year exclosure experiment (1999–2006) in a forest–tundra ecotonal area in northwestern Finnish Lapland to study the effects of reindeer grazing on vegetation in habitats of variable productivity and microhabitat structure. The experimental sites included tundra heath, frost heath and riparian habitats, and the two latter habitats were characterized by hummock-hollow ground forms. The total cover of vegetation, cover of willow (Salix spp.), dwarf birch (Betula nana), dwarf shrubs, forbs and grasses (Poaceae spp.) increased in exclosures in all habitats. The increase in the total cover of vegetation and in the covers of willow and dwarf birch tended to be greatest in the least productive tundra heath. Opposing to the increase in the dominant vascular plant groups, the cover and species number of bryophytes decreased in exclosures. We conclude that the effects of reindeer grazing on vegetation composition depend on environmental heterogeneity and the responses vary among plant groups.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Kilpisjärvi Biological Station for lodging during the fieldwork and Finnish Forest Research Institute for help in the transportation of experimental materials. Hanna Nopsanen assisted in the field work. Dr. Teuvo Ahti and Dr. Pekka Halonen helped in the determination of lichen specimens. MSc Anu Eskelinen and three anonymous referees gave valuable comments to an earlier version of the manuscript. Anu Pajunen was funded by the Academy of Finland (project number 208147 and Arktis graduate school) during this research. The language was revised by Aaron Bergdahl.
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Pajunen, A., Virtanen, R. & Roininen, H. The effects of reindeer grazing on the composition and species richness of vegetation in forest–tundra ecotone. Polar Biol 31, 1233–1244 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-008-0462-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-008-0462-8