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USGS · 1012852

Effects of wind-hardened snow on foraging by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

W. B. Collins·T. S. Smith
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Abstract

Various methods were investigated for assessing the relationship between wind-hardened snow ( upsik ) and forage availability to reindeer. Mean bottom area of individual craters was not a function of depth, hardness or integrated hardness. Individual crater area was partially dependent on specific cratering time (r2 = .60). Cratering time per active period increased with integrated snow hardness (r2 = .88). Number of craters and total area cratered increased with decreasing site hardness. Reindeer always cratered microsites of lesser depth and hardness than found in the general feeding site. A threefold decrease in snow hardness resulted in a fourfold increase in forage availability.

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W. B. Collins, T. S. Smith. 1991-01-01. Effects of wind-hardened snow on foraging by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic1541

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