of the indicated low incidence of internal parasites in these rein- 
deer is apparently not due to their isolation but more likely is a 
reflection of the excellent physical condition of the animals. 
The general well being of these reindeer, which is reflected in 
their large body size and antler development, abundant fat reserves 
and relative absence of parasites, are obviously reflections of as- 
pects of their environment. In this respect, the quality of the 
summer forage is perhaps most instrumental, as the physiological 
requirements for growth and development are the highest during the 
summer season. 
THE REINDEER RANGE 
A survey of the vegetative complex of the island was made through 
the use of point-intercept transects, meter-square quadrats and exten- 
sive plant collections. On the line transects and quadrats, vegeta- 
tion was recorded by ground cover, frequency of species occurence, 
vigor, utilization by reindeer and total aspect. A representative 
collection of plants was made from the entire reindeer range. One 
hundred and fifty-eight specimens were collected, representing one 
hundred and twenty species. Appearance of the vegetation and general 
aspect of the range was recorded photographically. 
Twelve point-intercept transects, one hundred feet long and with 
recording points at one foot intervals, were established in varying 
stands of vegetation throughout the island. These transects were 
laid out with a steel tape and marked at both ends with rock cairns. 
A photographic record was obtained for each transect in color and 
black and white. Locations of the transects were recorded in the 
field notes and on aerial photos. The information recorded from the 
transects is summarized in Appendix Table 2. An accompanying map 
shows the locations of the transects (Fig. 1). 
Three groups of one-meter-square vegetative study plots were 
established on sections of the reindeer winter range. Each group 
consists of four one-meter-square plots laid out in close association 
as shown in Figure 1. Two of the plots in each group were protected 
from reindeer grazing and trampling by five feet of cattle fencing 
topped with two strands of barbed wire (Fig. 15). The two remaining 
plots were unprotected and available to use by reindeer. The ground 
cover in each of the plots was recorded by species, area covered and 
height and charted on graph paper at the scale of 1:5. The plots 
were photographed in color and black and white and a soil well was 
dug near each group from which samples and a description of the soil 
profile were obtained. The vegetative analyses of the quadrats and 
the soil characteristics are listed in Appendix Tables 3, 4, 5 and 6. 
The locations of the quardats are marked on the map in Figure l. 
a 
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