16 BULLETIN 1423, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
the range, including topography and tree growth, and (5) accessi- 
bility. The relation of summer to winter range must also be care- 
fully considered. Availability of lichen forage for winter use is 
most important, since the successful continuation of reindeer grazing 
is dependent upon a sufficient Ayinter 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-tundra 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 coast range bordering Norton Sound and southward, includ- 
ing the lower sections of the Yukon and Kuskokwim, consists largely 
of the wet-tundra type. Xorthward the character of range improyes 
and the dry tundra begins to prevail ; and north of the Xoatak Riyer 
and up toward Kiyalina 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 Xuniyak 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 presence or absence of trees furnishes another classi- 
fication of range (pi. 11, fig 2). About 50 per cent of the 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 improvements or establish 
camps; 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 ranges. Thickets of tall willows along rivers and creeks are 
often a saying factor, and lignite in a number of places provides a 
convenient fuel. Along the immediate coast, beach driftwood is an 
important source of fuel and building material, and in the TTain- 
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 reference to transportation facilities, 
or to mining camps and yillages, is also an important consideration 
both as regards ready access to men, supplies, and equipment and the 
convenient shipment and marketing of meat, This item accounts 
