Date of Award
5-17-1999
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Factors influencing choice of feeding sites, cratering microsites and diets of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and reintroduced muskoxen (Ovibos moschatos) were examined on the Seward Peninsula, western Alaska, during late winters of 1996 and 1997. Both ungulates foraged primarily in upland habitats with low snow depth, relatively high occurrence of lichens and low occurrence of graminoids. Both selected against snow depth when choosing feeding sites and against snow depth and hardness when selecting cratering areas within feeding sites. Diet selection differed between species. Reindeer selected mainly lichens while muskoxen selected more sedge and moss. Few behavioral interactions between species were observed, and none seemed to result in displacement of either species. Despite similar use of late winter feeding sites, competition between muskoxen and reindeer in the study area is not likely at the moment, but may occur if severe snow conditions or increasing densities of either species restrict available winter habitat
Recommended Citation
Ihl, Claudia, "Comparative habitat and diet selection of muskoxen and reindeer on the Seward Peninsula, western Alaska" (1999). Biological Sciences. 514.
https://ualaska.researchcommons.org/uaf_grad_bio_sciences/514
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/15738