Some Effects of Mammalian Herbivores and Fertilization on Tundra Soils and Vegetation

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Abstract
Elevated concentrations of soil nutrients, particularly N and P, are associated with activities of mammalian herbivores. The sources of these nutrients appear to be waste products or carcasses of the herbivores themselves. Vegetation appears to respond to higher than normal concentrations of soil nutrients by increased importance of graminoids, decreased importance of lichens and sometimes decreased importance of shrubs. Plants growing within areas of elevated soil nutrients tend to have higher nutrient concentrations in their tissue. Artificial fertilization with N and P produces similar effects and supports these interpretations. Nutrient transport by herbivores seems to have significant local effects on soil nutrient concentrations and on the composition of the vegetation. Measurement of fecal production and soil turnover by burrowing indicate that it may take many years (perhaps hundreds) for the cumulative effect of herbivore activities to be noticeable. Direct effects on vegetation by microtine rodents could not be detected 1 yr after grazing.

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