Digestion of energy and nutrients in Svalbard reindeer

• Published in: Rangifer
• Main Authors: Hans Staaland, Nils A. Øritsland, Robert G. White
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 1988
• Subjects: Svalbard reindeer; digestibility; minerals; mosses; grasses; Animal culture; SF1-1100; Svalbard; Adventdalen; Cladonia rangiferina; Eriophorum scheuchzeri; Rangifer; Rangifer tarandus; Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus; svalbard reindeer; Svalbardrein; ren
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.7557/2.8.1.725; https://doaj.org/article/660509e3754049d98cee0209c3bd3049

Feeding trials with 5 male Svalbard reindeer, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik were conducted at the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Research Station in Adventdalen, Svalbard. Five different diets were used, 1: commercial reindeer food, (RF-71), 2: a mixture of locally harvested grasses and sedges (mainly Dupontia pelligera and Eriphorum scheusczeri), 3: a pure moss (Pleurozium scheberi) diet, 4: a lichen diet using the dominant Svalbard species Cetraria delisei, and 5: a mixed diet of RF-71, moss (P. schreberi) and lichens (mainly Cladonia alpestris and Cladonia rangiferina). When fed the RF-71 diet the digestibility by Svalbard and Norwegian reindeer were similar with respect to dry matter (DM) 75 v 74%) and crude protein (CP) 74 v 70% as were the availabilities of P (72 v 76% )a and Ca (18 v 36%) in the diet. The mixture of grasses and sedges was highly digestible with respect to DM ((66,5%) but had low availabilities of Ca (12%), Mg (10%) and P (-11%). DM digestibility of the lichen C delisei was low (33%) however this lichen could constitute a good source of Ca. Moss palatability was very low (174-252 g or 9-13g/kg 0 75 intake daily). DM, CP and energy digestibilities, respectively 48, 53 and 49%, and the availabilities of P (66%) and Ca (20%) were indicative that they could add to the energy and protein intake while contributing significantly to nutrient balance of Svalbard reindeer when present in a mixed diet. Fordøyelse av energi og næringsstoffer hos Svalbard-rein. Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Ved MAB-stasjonen i Adventdalen på Svalbard ble det utført foringsforsøk med fem voksne bukker av Svalbardrein, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik. Det ble nyttet fem forskjellige forty per, 1: pelletert reinfor, RF71, 2: en blanding av gras og siv høstet i Adventdalen (vesentlig Dupontia pelligera og Eriophorum scheuchzeri), 3: en ren mosediett (Pleurozium schreberi), 4: lav av den vanlige Svalbard -arten, Cetraria delisei, 5: en blandet diett av RF71, mose (P. schreberi) og lav (hovedsaklig ...