How do lemmings affect tundra plant growth and soil nutrients?

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Rolling tundra in Alaska with red, yellow, and green fall foliage, set against rugged mountains with patches of grass and exposed rock. — Tundra Alaskan mountain and tundra vegetation in the fall.

In the tundra ecosystem, lemmings play a significant role in shaping vegetation and soil chemistry through their feeding habits and waste production.

During winter, lemmings remain active beneath the snow, where they consume the roots of grasses and sedges. When their populations peak, this intense grazing can make vegetation scarce in certain areas.1

However, lemmings also contribute to soil fertility. Their presence leads to a substantial accumulation of feces around their burrows. This buildup of manure acts as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil with nitrogen and other essential nutrients. Consequently, this process stimulates plant growth, demonstrating how these small mammals help cycle nutrients within the relatively simple and low-productivity tundra environment.1