Growth Rates of Important Reindeer Forage Lichens on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Authors

  • Robert E. Pegau

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic3268

Keywords:

Albedo, Atmospheric circulation, Atmospheric temperature, Density, Measurement, Microclimatology, Mountains, Slopes, Snow stratigraphy, Snow water equivalent, Solar radiation, Temperature, Thermodynamics, Topography, Weather stations, Winds, Logan, Mount, Yukon

Abstract

Cladonia alpestris, C. rangiferina and C. sylvatica may comprise 75-90% of all lichens eaten by reindeer. Their growth rates must be known to determine the carrying capacity, rates of recovery and patterns for rotational grazing of reindeer rangelands. Data from two sites near Nome and a third near Koyuk show the annual linear rates of growth of these three species to be 5.0, 5.3 and 5.4 mm respectively. These averages exceed those of northern Canada and some areas in the USSR. C. rangiferina reaches the podetium renewal period in 5.9 yr, or in almost half the time required by the other two species.

Downloads

Published

1968-01-01

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 4 (1968): December

Section

Articles