Long- and short-term effects of reindeer grazing on tundra wetland vegetation

Kitti, Heidi; Forbes, Bruce C.; Oksanen, Jari

doi:10.1007/s00300-008-0526-9

Cited by 71 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…This could be mediated by a reduced extent or increased fragmentation/shredding of willow thickets or reduced height and density of thickets due to intense reindeer browsing in riparian habitats ). Ravolainen (2009) found indications that reindeer imposed a habitat shredding eVect on the willow thickets, while several authors have shown that reindeer reduce the height of thickets (Olofsson 2001;Pajunen et al 2008;Olofsson et al 2009;Kitti et al 2009). On the other hand, climate warming is expected to increase the height (Forbes et al 2010) as well as the extent (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As reindeer browsing has been shown to also aVect the vertical structure of willow thickets (den Herder et al 2004;Kitti et al 2009;Pajunen et al 2008) and climate warming aVects the vertical growth of willow shoots (Forbes et al 2010), we measured the height and density of the thickets in the Weld. These two variables were measured at four points along the side of the sampling quadrat lining the thicket.…”

Section: Quantifying Willow Thicket Conwgurationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On one hand, an increased extent of willow thickets has been observed in parts of the arctic and this has been attributed to a warming climate (Sturm et al 2001;Chapin et al 2005;Tape et al 2006). On the other hand, where herds of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) have increased substantially over the last decades, such as in Finnmark in northern Fennoscandia (Moen and Danell 2003;Tveraa et al 2007) and in Yamal in western Siberia ), studies have shown that reindeer browsing may reduce the willow thickets (Olofsson 2001;Pajunen et al 2008;Olofsson et al 2009;Kitti et al 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population dynamics of tundra voles in relation to configuration of willow thickets in southern arctic tundra

et al. 2010

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The areal extent and conWguration of thickets of willow shrubs are currently changing in the Arctic both as an eVect of global warming and changed browsing pressure of reindeer. These changes have been predicted to impact the distribution and abundance of wildlife species relying on willow thickets as habitat. We assessed the relation between variables quantifying willow thicket conWguration and population dynamics of tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus) in three riparian regions in Finnmark, northern Norway, which were subject to intense browsing by semidomesticated reindeer. The tundra vole, which exhibits 5-year population cycles in Finnmark, is the dominant small rodent species in riparian landscape elements in southern arctic tundra. In the course of a 4-year trapping study, tundra vole populations went through the cyclic phases of increase, peak and crash, however, with distinct diVerences between the three regions in the population dynamics. Within regions, the occupancy pattern during the increase phase was positively related to willow thicket conWguration (in particular edge density and willow height) only in the region attaining the highest abundance and occupancy. However, local abundance was not clearly related to habitat features within any regions. The lack of consistency in the response of tundra vole populations to willow thicket conWguration, as well as the positive relation between the degree of thicket shredding and tundra vole habitat occupancy in one of the regions, indicates that tundra voles will not be much aVected by climate or browsing induced changes in the shrubbiness of the tundra in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Quantifying Willow Thicket Conwgurationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population dynamics of tundra voles in relation to configuration of willow thickets in southern arctic tundra

et al. 2010

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“…Species richness and diversity are not different between areas disturbed and undisturbed by small and large herbivores in a forest-tundra ecotone (Olofsson et al 2004). Since grazers, including lemmings, select to feed on palatable plants, species palatability to such herbivores is an important determinant of plant community structure in tundra wetlands over both the short-and long-term (Kitti et al 2009). The collared lemming (Dicrostomyx exsul) favors drier habitats dominated by willows (Salix spp.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Baidzharakhs (relic mounds) increase plant community diversity by interrupting zonal vegetation distribution along the Arctic Sea, northern Siberia

2009

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To understand how baidzharakhs (relic mounds enclosing polygonal ice blocks in permafrost) affect the zonal distribution of vegetation, vegetation was measured in 145 50 cm × 50 cm plots on a coastal terrace facing the Arctic Ocean in northern Siberia. Cluster analysis classified five community types that were zonally distributed along the coastline.α-diversities (species richness and diversity) were not different among vegetation types except for vegetation close to the coastline. On and around baidzharakhs, burrows created by lemmings were frequently observed, and plant cover was low, suggesting that baidzharakhs support habitats for rodents. Disturbances by rodent habits caused plant cover to decline but did not change α-diversity. Two vegetation types that developed only on baidzharakhs were found at intermediate distances between the seacoast and inland areas.Because these two vegetation types are azonally distributed, β-and γ-diversities were increased by permafrost-derived topography, i.e., baidzharakh, and/or disturbance by rodents of which suitable nesting habitat is provided by baidzharakh.

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“…Reindeer grazing and trampling effects on arctic plant species have been studied relatively extensively (Bråthen and Oksanen 2001;Moen and Danell 2003;Olofsson, Hulme et al 2004;Bråthen, Ims et al 2007;Pajunen, Virtanen et al 2008;Kitti, Forbes et al 2009). However, grazing interactions with climate warming and the effects on plant community structure have received less attention ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arctic Tundra Vegetation Dynamics under Changing Environmental Conditions

Qin¹

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The Arctic is a system with strong interconnectedness among components and now is experiencing dramatic alterations due to climate change. With amplified climate warming and greater accessibility to the Arctic, anthropogenic factors such as industrial development, climate change, and animal husbandry have become increasingly important to arctic ecosystems. The objective of this dissertation is to use a vegetation model and remote sensing to better understand the dynamics of the arctic tundra biome in a chaning environment with emphasis on the effects of climate, soils, grazing and land use.

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Long- and short-term effects of reindeer grazing on tundra wetland vegetation

Cited by 71 publications

References 43 publications

Population dynamics of tundra voles in relation to configuration of willow thickets in southern arctic tundra

Population dynamics of tundra voles in relation to configuration of willow thickets in southern arctic tundra

Baidzharakhs (relic mounds) increase plant community diversity by interrupting zonal vegetation distribution along the Arctic Sea, northern Siberia

Arctic Tundra Vegetation Dynamics under Changing Environmental Conditions

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