speculation is involved in estimating changes that have taken place. 
Until several years accumulation of systematic vegetative measure- 
ments are available, rather general observations of indicator plants 
and apparent vegetative changes resulting from reindeer activity, 
must be relied upon. 
Summer forage, for reindeer on St. Matthew Island, shows no ap- 
parent deterioration through over-utilization by the present reindeer 
herd. During the field studies, reindeer were observed to use the 
well-drained sedge meadows and bog meadows almost exclusively for 
summer grazing (Types 3 and 4). In these types, sedges are dominant, 
or very common, and are eaten extensively by the reindeer. On the 
drier, better-drained meadows, Carex nesophila is the most abundant 
sedge and receives the brunt of summer use, while the wetter, boggy 
sites support a wider variety of sedges but C. stans is usually the 
‘dominant form and receives the heaviest use. Other sedges, leaves 
stripped from willows, grasses and forbs are also important compo- 
nents of the summer diet of reindeer. Frequently, the flowering or 
fruiting parts, were all that were eaten from some plants, such as 
Rumex fenestratus and Arnica lessingii. All vegetative types re- 
ceive some summer use by reindeer, however, only the types with a 
high proportion of sedges are utilized consistently. 
The quality of the low-growing plants of the arctic tundra, 
which make up the summer forage, are apparently highly nutritious, 
as reflected in the excellent physical condition of the reindeer. 
The high nutritional value of some types of arctic vegetation, which 
is associated with the long daily solar radiation, has been known 
for some time (Curtis and Clark, 1950). On St. Matthew Island the 
variations in exposure, resulting from irregularities in terrain, 
account for a wide range in plant development and maturity. Also, 
the cool moist summers delay maturity and curing of vegetation. 
Consequently, vegetation during its most highly nutritious period, 
the early stages of growth, is available for an extended period 
throughout the summer. 
The effects of current use of sedges, grasses and forbs was 
readily apparent on the range, however, previous year's utilization 
was not evident on such plant forms. Summer grazing is apparently 
seldom permanently destructive to this type of summer forage and 
indications are that limited grazing of annual growth of sedges, 
grasses and some herbs is actually beneficial in stimulating forage 
production. Harmful effects of the reindeer on the summer range 
are limited.to trampling of vegetation and compacting of loose, 
moist soil where movements of large numbers of animals are constrict- 
ed in narrow valleys and by other terrain features. Throughout the 
spring and summer, when the vegetation is growing, plants are able 
to withstand considerable trampling and recover rapidly. In add- 
ition, the high humidity, which accompanies the persistent spring 
25 
