Open AccessFood plant selection by reindeer during winter in relation to plant quality
Author(s) -
Danell Kjell,
Mikael Utsi Per,
Thomas Palo R.,
Eriksson Olof
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1994.tb00088.x
Subject(s) - moss , cafeteria , biology , lichen , vaccinium , botany , organic matter , ecology , medicine , pathology
The relative palatabilities of nine plant taxa used as winter food by reindeer were estimated by presenting them in cafeteria and pairwise tests Feeding p reference indices were then related to the chemical composition of the plants High preference indices were obtained for the lichens Bryoria spp, Cladina arbuscula, C rangiferina and C stellaris, while low values were obtained for the moss Pleurozium schrebel and the dwarf shrubs Empetrum hermaphroditum and Vaccinium myrttllus The grass Deschampsia flexuosa and the lichen Stereocaulon paschale received intermediate scores Feeding preferences showed a strong negative correlation with acid detergent fiber (ADF)‐values No statistically significant correlations were found between feeding preferences and contents of nitrogen, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) or neutral detergent fiber (NDF)