ii APPLIED RANGE ECOLOGY OF REINDEER (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) ON THE SEWARD PENINSULA, ALASKA A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By Gregory L. Finstad, B.S. Fairbanks, Alaska May 2008 iii ABSTRACT Linking variation of the environment to animal production is key to successful range management. Ecological site descriptions (ESDs) are landscape units used by land managers for the grazing management of domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This study investigated the appropriateness of using ESDs for the grazing management of reindeer and explored the use of alternate units to link landscape variation to animal production. ESD composition of reindeer ranges varied across the Seward Peninsula, but there was no relationship to either animal production, estimated by June calf weight and cow/calf ratios, or reindeer serum and tissue mineral concentrations. I have shown that reindeer do not graze uniformly across ESDs, but are selective, both temporally and spatially, in what they consume. Reindeer diet selection and animal production appear to be driven by temporal variation in the nutritional characteristics of individual forage species. Biomass production and seasonal nutritional characteristics of forage species were used develop a computerized mapping program for reindeer producers to identify high quality grazing areas. Production among herds was related with identified forage sources of protein in the diet. Reindeer in herds with smaller June calves consumed more catkins, stems and leaf buds of shrubs in May, presumably to compensate for lower protein reserves. Diets of reindeer and June calf weight were significantly predicted by the δ15N ‰ differential between antler core (AC) and antler periosteum (AP). Although animal production was iv related to landscape stratification at the species level, data showed that weather patterns affected forage nutrient concentration and foraging accessibility at a landscape level. Body weight and growth of female calves and the proportion of yearlings lactating the next summer were positively correlated with spring temperature and negatively correlated with winter severity and summer temperature. Land managers are using ESDs to monitor and assess the impact of grazing, but I have shown that landscape variation described at a multitude of scales other than ESD are linked to grazing patterns and animal production. I concluded that these alternative landscape units be integrated into reindeer range management currently being practiced on the Seward Peninsula. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page0B Signature Page.......................................................................................... ………………..i Title Page .......................................................................................... …………………….ii Abstract................................................................................................. …………………iii Table of Contents ...........................................................................………………………v List of Figures....................................................................................…………………….x List of Tables .......................................................................................... ………………xiv List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................ …………………..xvii Acknowledgments ................................................................................ ………………..xix ~ Chapter46B 1: Introduction Rangifer1B in Alaska………………………………………………………………..1 The2B Seward Peninsula grazing system…………………………………………. 2 Introduction3B of reindeer herding.......................................................................... 4 Modern4B reindeer herding: transition to rangeland management……………..9 Present day range management of reindeer...................................................... 14 Physical5B characteristics of the Seward Peninsula grazing system................... 22 Climate6B ....................................................................................................... 23 Soils7B ............................................................................................................ 25 Vegetation8B .................................................................................................. 27 Literature Cited....................................................................................................32 vi Page9BU ~ Chapter 2: Nutritional mapping of grazing areas using nutrient and fiber profiles of reindeer forage plants of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska...............37 Abstract................................................................................................................. 37 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 39 Objectives................................................................................................... 45 Study Site.............................................................................................................. 45 Methods................................................................................................................. 47 Results................................................................................................................... 51 Discussion..............................................................................................................54 Literature Cited............................................................. ..................................... 61 Figures................................................................................................................... 65 Tables.................................................................................................................... 86 ~ Chapter10B 3: Influence of regional landscape diversity of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska on diet, tissue and serum mineral values and production of1B reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus).......................................................... 97 Abstract................................................................................................................. 97 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 99 Objectives................................................................................................. 103 Study Site....................................................................................................…… 103 Methods.......................................................................................................…… 107 vii PageU Range descriptions................................................................................... 107 Diet composition...........................................................................……... 108 Serum and tissue sampling.......................................................................110 Animal productivity.................................................................................. 111 Results.........................................................................................................…… 112 Ecological site composition across ranges.............................................. 112 Diet composition...................................................................................... 113 Spring........................................................................................... 113 June.............................................................................................. 113 July...............................................................................................114 Fall...............................................................................................114 Winter...........................................................................................114 Serum mineral values...............................................................................115 Copper concentrations in liver................................................................ 116 Herd productivity..................................................................................... 116 Discussion............................................................................................................116 Literature Cited..................................................................................................133 Figures................................................................................................................. 140 Tables.................................................................................................................. 149 ~ Chapter 4: Landscape variation in diet and δ15N natural abundance in reindeer, Seward Peninsula, Alaska.........................................................156 Abstract............................................................................................................... 156 viii PageU Introduction........................................................................................................ 158 Objectives................................................................................................ 161 Study Site............................................................................................................ 161 Methods..............................................................................................................