| Summary: | Faeces countsHerbivore faeces were counted as index of presence and activity. In addition, activity signs of small rodents, such as burrows and runways, were recorded. Counts were carried out at four sites in Russia: 1) Erkuta tundra monitoring site on Yamal Peninsula (Yamal), 68.2°N, 69.1°E2) Nenetsky Ridge in Nenetsky Autonomous district (Nenetsky), 68.3°N, 53.3°E3) Dolgi Island in Nenetsky Autonomous district, 69.2°N, 59.2°E (Dolgy)4) Mys Vostochny on western Taimyr, Kransoyarskii Krai, 74.1°N, 86.8°E (Taimyr)Count data from each site are in a separate file and coordinates of the plots at each site are also in separate files.Fecal pellets were counted in eight permanently marked small quadrates of 0.5 x 0.5 m arranged around a 15 x 15 m study plot. In Nenetsky (2007 and 2008) and in Yamal (2008) counts were performed twice per year, shortly after snow melt in spring (spring) and in the middle of August (fall). After counting, faeces were removed from the plots. In Yamal (2007), on Dolgy Island (2007) and in Taimyr (2008) counts were carried out only once in July. As faeces had not been removed previous to spring 2007 in Nenetsky and Yamal, and previous to the counts on Dolgy and in Taimyr, these counts may represent cumulative use over more than one winter. In Yamal faeces were counted in 3 habitats:T: Lush meadows adjacent to willow thickets. On these plots one 3 of the small quadrats were in the willow thicket (thicket indicates whether the plot was in the thicket or not).W: Moist tundra characterized by thick layers of Shagnum moss with Carex spp and Eriphorum spp tussocks, interspersed with R. chamaemorus and B. nana. D: Dry tundra characterized by ericoid dwarf shrubs, mainly R. tomentosum but also Vaccinium spp, B. nana and Eriophorum spp.Plots were grouped in 2 units (K and R) which each comprised 6 plots in each type of habitat.In Nenetsky faeces were counted in 3 habitats:W: lush meadows adjacent to willow thickets. On these plots one 3 of the small quadrats were in the willow thicket thicket (thicket indicates whether the plot was in the thicket or not).H: Hummock tundra dominated by cottongrass tussocks (Eriophorum spp) interspersed with dwarf shrubs and R. chamaemorusS: Shrubby tundra characterized by B. nana and ericoid shrubs (Vaccinium spp, Rhododendron tomentosum), interspersed with sedges (Carex spp) and Rubus chamaemorus.Plots were grouped in triplets of plots in each type of habitat. Triplets were grouped into 3 units, each lying in a different river valley and separated by ca 3 km. On Dolgy Island faeces were counted in 2 habitats:G: Grass and sedge dominated tundra, often with dwarf shrubs of Salix sppS: Dwarf shrub dominated tundra with Betula nana and Vaccinium spp.Plots were grouped in pairs of plots in each type of habitat. Pairs were grouped into 2 units separated by ca 3 km. On Taimyr faeces were counted in 2 habitats:I: Humid grass-sedge tundra with Salix spp dwarf shrubsB: Drier hummock tundra with prostrate shrubs and herbs. Plots were grouped in pairs of plots in each type of habitat. Pairs were grouped into 3 units separated by ca 3 km.
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