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Seasonal grazing effects by semi-domesticated reindeer on subarctic mountain birch forests

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Abstract

In northern Fennoscandia, the spatial and temporal grazing practices of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) vary, which implies different grazing effects dependent on natural conditions as well as management regime (i.e., timing and intensity of grazing). We compared density and biomass of main plant groups in semi-dry mountain birch forests exposed to either long-term summer or winter grazing in three reindeer herding districts in the northernmost Finland. Percent plant cover, height, and biomass of reindeer lichens (Cladonia spp.) and dwarf shrubs (Vaccinium uliginosum, Calluna vulgaris, and Betula nana) were lower on summer ranges compared with winter ranges. The biomass of other dwarf shrubs (Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea), and graminoids and herbs, and the % cover of non-vegetated bare soil and litter were, however, higher on summer ranges than on winter ranges. Young mountain birch shoots (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) were less frequent on summer ranges than on winter ranges. The total leaf biomass under the browsing height of reindeer (<1.5 m) was also lower on summer ranges compared with winter ranges. Especially in drier and nutrient poor mountain birch forests, intensive summer grazing reduces the quantity of lichens and total plant biomass which affects the ecological state and productivity of these forests and also reduces especially their winter grazing value for reindeer. Therefore, in addition to regulating the maximum sustained numbers of reindeer, pasture rotation systems that effectively protect dry and nutrient poor vegetation from summer grazing and trampling should be encouraged.

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Acknowledgments

We thank research technician Jukka Siitari and temporary field assistants from the Reindeer Research Station at the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute in Kaamanen for data collection and entry. We also thank Dr. Jackie Hrabok for adding comments and checking the language. Finally, we thank the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Arctic Microbiology Research Consortium, and the Academy of Finland (project 108235) for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reindeer Research Station, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Toivoniementie 246, 99910, Kaamanen, Finland

    Jouko Kumpula

  2. Rovaniemi Research Unit, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 16, 96301, Rovaniemi, Finland

    Sari Stark

  3. Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway

    Øystein Holand

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  1. Jouko Kumpula
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  2. Sari Stark
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Correspondence to Jouko Kumpula.

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Kumpula, J., Stark, S. & Holand, Ø. Seasonal grazing effects by semi-domesticated reindeer on subarctic mountain birch forests. Polar Biol 34, 441–453 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0899-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0899-4

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