The effect of muskox herbivory on growth and reproduction in an arctic legume
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Authors: C. P. H. Mulder, and R. Harmsen
Date: 1995
Journal: Arctic and Alpine Research
Volume: 27
Number: 1
Pages: 44-53
Summary of Methods: Mulder and Harmsen evaluated the growth response of an arctic legume (Oxytropis viscida) to grazing by muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) on Banks Island, N.W.T. Results showed that removal of inflorescences or pods only has little effect, but when shoot tips are affected, grazing can decrease plant size for at least two years and reproduction for at least one year. Two levels of grazing were examined. Chomping, which occurs early in the season, affects shoot tips and may include removal of all aboveground biomass. Chomping resulted in a decrease in the number of shoot tips during the year of grazing and decreased the number of inflorescences for at least one year following grazing. Nibbling refers to the selective removal of inflorescences and seed pods. Overall, nibbling had little effect on O. viscida. This study showed that O. viscida may not be continually defended and that resistance is induced by chomping but not nibbling.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: muskox, ovibos moschatus, herbivory, arctic legume, oxytropis viscida, growth, reproduction, mortality, biomass
Annotation: 2 clipping experiments were initiated to examine the effects of shoot tip removal on plant growth form. 200 plants were paired and one of each pair was clipped through the base of the growth tips on half the plant on July 20-22, 1990. On June 28-29, 1991, a second clipping experiment was performed on 150 paired plants that were paired and clipped through the top (instead of the base) of all (instead of half) of the growth tips of one of each pair. In August, plant diameter was measured. The Artic and Alpine Research published research from 1969-1998 when the journal then changed it's name to arctic, antarctic, and alpine research journal in 1999.
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