Náttúrufræðingurinn - 1960, Side 13

NÁTTÚRUFRÆÐINGURINN
7
the past years; at times decreasing to the total of only 100 animals. The range
of these animals has contracted, and is now restricted to the mountainous inte-
rior north-east of the glacier Vatnajökull.
The differencc in climate and grazing conditions in various parts of the
interior is not considered to be mainly accountable for the disapperance of
animals from certain areas.
It is of interest to reestablish the lierds in some of these regions, or even to
introduce them to tlic plateau of the north-western territory (Vestfirðir), where
reindeer have never previously ranged.
It therefore is considered necessary to gain better knowledge as to the feed-
ing habits and grazing conditions of the Icelandic reindeer.
In the autumn of 1959 the author made a brief investigation of the pasturc
land frequented by thc reindeer. The results of this preliminary investigation
is reported in the present paper.
The reindeer were found to be grazing mainly on arctic lieath vegetation at
this timc of year; especially such plant communities as „grimmia heath“ and
„jaðar“ vegetation. Thc main spécies of these are listed respectively in table I
witli their proportional coverage presented in percentage and yield of dry matter
in grams per square meter.
In tlie last two columns of the same table, furthermore, the number of
species found in the stomachs of two reindeer are listed in percentage. These
samples show a great similarity in botanical composition to that of the grimmia
heath pasture. Thc proportion of Salix in the stomachs was somewhat higher
than in the pasture sampled, but in neighbouring areas at higher levels, Salix
was more predominant in the vegetation.
Thc consumption of moss is considerable, but that of licliens seems to be of
little importance in tlie diet at this time of year.
From the live weight of the anirnal and their stomach contents, an attempt,
made to estimate the range of pasture needed per animal, indicated that two
hektars of land witli dense vegetation would be required per animal per ann-
um. However, as the winter fodder is presumably quite different this estimate
needs to be correctcd accordingly, when additional information is gained.