Abstract
Grazing and trampling by the wide-ranging wild tundra reindeer may have major top down landscape effects by causing vegetation changes. Grazing, as the collective effect of eating, trampling, defecation, and urination, has been studied extensively. In contrast, trampling effects per se are rarely studied, and almost never quantified, even though considered very important. The main reason appears to be methodological; effects of trampling imprints are difficult to measure and quantify systematically. In particular, in winter reindeer may largely subsist on slow-growing ground lichens. They grow in habitats with little snow cover and extensive soil frost, and dry lichen may be particularly susceptible to trampling, generating a likely substantial forage loss.
Highlights
Grazing and trampling by large herbivores like northern reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.) can have extensive top down landscape effects on tundra and alpine vegetation through generating vegetation changes (e.g. Suominen & Olofsson, 2000; Austrheim & Eriksson, 2001; Cairns & Moen, 2004; Wehn et al, 2011; Holtmeier, 2015)
Qualitative and understudied reindeer trampling relative to eating of vegetation During the long northern winters, reindeer often depend on lichen forage (Skogland, 1989; Ferguson et al, 2001; Vikhamar-Schuler et al, 2013)
The common idea that reindeer trampling may be a major cause of lichen forage losses appears to be based on anecdotal observations, and does not seem well substantiated or quantified scientifically
Summary
Grazing and trampling by large herbivores like northern reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.) can have extensive top down landscape effects on tundra and alpine vegetation through generating vegetation changes (e.g. Suominen & Olofsson, 2000; Austrheim & Eriksson, 2001; Cairns & Moen, 2004; Wehn et al, 2011; Holtmeier, 2015). Open alpine grazing systems is a good model for studying trampling effects, because chionofobic oligotrophic vegetation, like lichen, may be exposed to trampling year round
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
