16 BULLETIN 1423^ U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGBICULTUKE 



the range, including topography and tree growth, and (5) accessi- 

 bility. The relation of summer to winter range must also be care- 

 full}' considered. Availability of lichen forage for winter use is 

 most important, since the successful continuation of reindeer grazing 

 is dependent upon a sufficient Avinter food supply. 



RANGE TYPES 



The physical nature of the land and soil varies considerably, pro- 

 ducing three main types of range: (1) The dry tundra; (2) the wet 

 tundra; and (3) the rocky areas. In terms of relative carrying ca- 

 pacity, both as to forage content and nature of ground, these type 

 areas vary appreciably. The dry-tuntlra and the wet-tundra ranges 

 may run about equally high in average forage production, but soft 

 or marshy ground reduces the actual carrying capacity because of the 

 greater harm done to the forage plants when trampled into the wet 

 earth. The rocky type usually has a lower carrying capacity than the 

 other two because of the reduced forage growth (pi. 9; pi. 10, fig. 1). 



The coa.st range bordering Norton Soimd and southward, includ- 

 ing the lower sections of the Yukon and Kuskokwim, consists largely 

 of the wet-tundra type. Northward the character of range improves 

 and the dry tundra begins to prevail ; and north of the Noatak River 

 and up toward Kivalina and Hope the rocky type of range is pre- 

 dominant, intermingled with the dry-tundra areas. Goodnews Bay, 

 in the Kuskokwim region; the interior areas; and Nunivak Island 

 are largely of the dry-tundra type. St. Lawrence Island is mostly the 

 rocky type, with immediate beach areas of wet tundra. 



TIMBER RANGE 



The general joresence or absence of trees furnishes another classi- 

 fication of range (pi. 11, fig 2). About oO per cent of tlie Territory 

 is forested to some extent. Excluding southeastern Alaska, the forest 

 areas lie chiefly on the interior ranges over the central portion of the 

 Territory. The importance of the presence or absence of trees on the 

 range lies particularly in offering shelter to the herd and the herder 

 and in providing fuel and ready material for the construction of 

 cabins, corrals, and fences. In many sections of the country it is 

 not difficult to construct necessary range impi'ovenients or establish 

 camjjs; but where there are no trees, as over the major portion of 

 Seward Peninsula and along the Arctic coast, the problem of con- 

 struction material and fuel for camp use is serious, especially on 

 winter I'anges. Thickets of tall willows along rivers and creeks are 

 often a saving factoi', and lignite in a number of places provides a 

 convenient fuel. Along the innnediate coast, beach driftwood is an 

 important source of fuel and building material, and in the Wain- 

 wright and Barrow sections, cakes of ice are .sometimes employed in 

 the construction of temporary corrals in winter. 



RANGE SITE 



Range site or location with i-eference to transportation facilities, 

 or to mining camps and villages, is also an impoitant consideration 

 both as i-egards irady access to men, supplies, and (•(|nipnienl aiul the 

 convenient shipment and marketing of meat. This item accounts 



