Duration: 2006-2008
Keywords: global change, mountain birch, nutrient cycling, plant secondary substances, reindeer, tundra
Research project group: Distinct projects 1 - Structure and function of forest ecosystems
| Field experiments are conducted to analyze the effects of reindeer grazing on the chemical quality of soil organic matter, microbial biomass, and the rate of litter decomposition and nutrient mineralization in subarctic mountain birch forests and arctic-alpine tundra heaths. Data is collected on soil processes that are central in northern systems, such as the utilization of organic nutrient resources, high rates of microbial immobilization of ecosystem nutrients, and nutrient exchange between the storage of nutrients in stable organic matter. Data will be used in developing theoretical model on the interactions between herbivores and soil nutrient cycling in subarctic systems. |
 | Minna-Maarit Kytöviita Anu Eskelinen, University of Oulu, Finland Johan Olofsson, University of Umeå, Sweden Claire deMazancourt, McGill University, Montreal, Canada Aino Smolander, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa, Finland |
Project leader:
Stark, Sari
Updated 12.06.2012
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