Effects of large herbivores on biodiversity of vegetation and soil microarthropods in low Arctic Greenland
Aastrup,P., K. Raundrup, J. Feilberg, P. H. Krogh, N.M. Schmidt and J.Nabe-Nielsen. 2014. Danish Centre for Environment and Energy
Abstract
The study took place in South Greenland, and in Akia north of Nuuk in
West Greenland. The southern Greenland localities are grazed by domestic
sheep (Ovis aries), whereas Akia is grazed by caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus).
Generally there was a high similarity in plant species composition in grazed
and un-grazed plots even after more than 25 years. Few species only ap-
pearing inside or outside the exclosures, might indicate that grazing could
have effects on the species composition. The cover of shrubs, herbs, and litter appeared to be favoured by not being grazed.
The nutrient content in soil was similar in grazed and un-grazed plots and
generally, soil nutrients were at the same level in Akia and Kiattuut.
Generally temperatures were highest outside the exclosures and the cold
season with temperatures below 0°C was longer in Akia than in Kiattuut.
The rate of decomposition was much higher in south Greenland than in
West Greenland. The differences in decomposition rate between grazed and
un-grazed plots were not significant in both Akia and Kiattuut.
The average diversity of microarthropods was highest in plots not being
grazed.
Our dataset offers unique possibilities for analysing the relations between
grazing, climate change and biodiversity in the low Arctic. Further in-depth
analysis of the data collected will shed more light on the future effects of the
large herbivores in the Arctic.
Key Words
Vegetation, biodiversity, microarthropod, herbivores, sheep, caribou
