Chemical composition of tundra plant and lichens at Daring Lake, NWT in control and greenhouse plots

• Main Authors: Grogan, Paul, Zamin, Tara, Côté, Steeve, Tremblay, Jean-Pierre
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network 2017
• Subjects: Bathurst caribou herd; Caribou; Climate change; Daring Lake; Lichens; Lignin; Nitrogen; Northwest Territories; Phenology; Phosphorus; Plants; Reindeer; Shrubs; Vegetation; International Polar Year-Climate change impacts on Canadian Arctic tundra ecosystems Interdisciplinary and multi-scale assessments; Arctic; Eriophorum; International Polar Year; Tundra
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5443/12829; https://www.polardata.ca/pdcsearch/?doi_id=12829

Samples of tundra plants and lichens were collected from control and experimental greenhouse plots at Daring Lake Tundra Ecosystem Research Station in the summer of 2011. This included two sets of samples: 1) Mid-August sampling, in which leaves were collected from the deciduous shrub, Betula glandulosa, graminoid, Eriophorum vaginatum, evergreen shrubs, Rhododendron subarcticum (formerly Ledum decumbens) and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Samples of the lichens, Cetraria cucullata and Cladina rangiferina were also collected. 2) Sampling throughout the growing season, in which Betula glandulosa leaves were collected at two week intervals from late June to early September (six sampling dates). Mid-August samples were analysed for concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, total phenolics, and fibre (acid-detergent fibre, acid-detergent lignin, neutral-detergent fibre). Samples collected throughout the season (June to early September) were analysed for concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and total phenolics. : Purpose: The purpose of this data set was to identify the impact of experimental warming on the chemical composition of tundra plants and lichens, as it relates to caribou and reindeer (Rangifer) forage quality. Rangifer populations have been in decline across the Arctic. The impact of warming on their forage quantity is well documented but impacts on forage quality have not been addressed. Forage quality is critical to Rangifer health and body condition. : Summary: Not Applicable