Forage diversity and nutrition supply of reindeer

Abstract

This study describes the mineral and nitrogen concentrations of reindeer forage plants from the Elgå reindeer herding district of south-eastern Norway. The data are compared with results from 5 other areas in Norway. Emphasis is put on the importance of environmental diversity. Different plant species accumulate Ca, Mg, P, S, Na, K, CI and K to a varying degree but reindeer can meet their nutritional requirements by eating different types of forage. Examples are sodium from aquatic herbs, sulphur and sodium from horsetails etc. Of further importance are variations in soil type, phenological development of plants in relation to differences in time for snowmelting, as well as different levels of nutrients in forage from different geographical

The Ecological Role and Geography of Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Northern Eurasia

“…In situations of low overall plant biomass animals may select for forage quantity (van der Wal et al 2000). However, there are also observations of Svalbard reindeer feeding very selectively among vascular plants and lichens (Cooper and Wookey 2003;Hjeljord 1975;Staaland et al 1993).…”

Landscape Variation in the Diet and Productivity of Reindeer in Alaska Based on Stable Isotope Analyses

“…Comparatively small differences in the proportion of nutrients in forage can markedly influence weight gain in reindeer (McEwan and Whitehead, 1970;White, 1983). Thus, proper seasonal placement of reindeer on a highly heterogeneous nutritional landscape is very critical for animal productivity (Klein, 1970;Pulliainen, 1971;Skogland, 1978;Staaland and Saebö , 1993;Finstad, 2008) Domestic reindeer were introduced to the Seward Peninsula; Alaska, during the late 1890s and currently are one of the primary livestock under production in Alaska (Stern et al, 1980;Finstad et al, 2006). Reindeer on the Seward Peninsula exhibit fast growth rates (0.43 kg day 21 for male, 0.37 kg day 21 for female calves) during summer and achieve a high body mass (98 kg for females in winter) and high reproductive rates (up to 39% yearling females lactating) compared to other circumpolar Rangifer populations (Prichard et al, 1999;Finstad and Prichard, 2000).…”

“…The vascular plant growing season of tundra environments is also very short so the spatial-temporal availability of high quality forage is limited. Reindeer appear to forage selectively on species that contain high concentrations of protein during the growing season (Klein, 1970;Nieminen and Heiskari, 1989;Staaland and Saebö , 1993;Finstad, 2008) because growth of both hard (bone, hair) and soft tissue (muscle, organs) is at a maximum. Comparatively small differences in the proportion of nutrients in forage can markedly influence weight gain in reindeer (McEwan and Whitehead, 1970;White, 1983).…”

Mineral nutrition and alimentary pools in muskoxen and caribou on the Angujaartorfiup Nunaa range in West Greenland

“…120 ra 100 - Staaland & Saebø, 1993). But much more mineral analyses are needed to give more exact and detailed comparison of mineral content of plants in different regions grazed by reindeer/caribou and muskoxen.…”

“…The diversity of the vegetation in an area is also important for mineral intakes, e.g. herbs do generally have higher mineral concentrations than leaves from deciduous trees and grasses (Staaland & Saebø, 1993). Lichens have usually low mineral concentrations and consequently caribou feeding on grasses and herbs may have higher mineral intakes than reindeer/caribou feeding more on lichens.…”