Quantifying Muskox Plant Biomass Removal and Spatial Relocation of Nitrogen in a High Arctic Tundra Ecosystem

• DOI: 10.1657/aaar0015-034
• Publication Date: 2016-05-05T04:08:16Z
• Authors: Jesper B. Mosbacher; Ditte K. Kristensen; Anders Michelsen; Mikkel Stelvig; Niels M. Schmidt
• Keywords: Graminoid; Growing season; Arctic vegetation

The muskox (Ovibos moschatus), a key species in the arctic tundra, is only large-bodied herbivore Northeast Greenland. Here, we quantify biomass removal and fecal deposition by muskoxen during snow-free period years 1996 to 2013 high tundra ecosystem at Zackenberg, We show that despite densities, removed 0.17% 0.04% of available forage graminoid-dominated areas Salix snowbeds (including dominated heaths), respectively, main plant growing season (from mid-June end August). Into autumn, increased ∼4.6% 0.19% snowbeds, respectively. Muskoxen mainly areas, but defecate primarily resulting net nutrient transfers from nitrogen-rich wet habitats nitrogen-poor, drier habitats, corresponding an addition 0.016 g m−2 nitrogen per year. This same magnitude as dissolved inorganic pool similar soils. Hence, while quantitative impact seems negligible, relocation may be important for vegetation associated biota ecosystem.