Date of Award
12-17-1984
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Habitat selection, foraging behavior, and forage intake rates by caribou were studied on a calving ground in northwestern Alaska. The pattern of emergence of new plant growth determined habitat use. The grazing pattern reflected a balance between selection for nutrients and plant biomass, and avoidance of plant secondary metabolites. Habitat use was also influenced by predator avoidance. At the time of calving, meteorological conditions provide a snow-free "window" of available Eriophorum vaginatum inflorescences that are of high nutritive value. Subsequently, topographic variation results in a diversity of forbs and shrubs confined in time and space at the time of peak nutritional demands for lactation and growth of calves during June. Intake of deciduous shrub leaves averaged 3.7 g/min and the intake of E. vaginatum inflorescences was 1.1 g/min. Highest observed intake was 5.5 g/min on forbs. Forage selected was of high nutritive value and high digestibility. Thus, caribou selected productive microsites and habitats where intake of preferred forage could be maximized.
Recommended Citation
Kuropat, Peggy JoAnn, "Foraging behavior of caribou on a calving ground in northwestern Alaska" (1984). Theses (Unassigned). 53.
https://ualaska.researchcommons.org/uaf_unassigned_theses/53
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/7423