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Masudi SP, Odadi WO, Kimuyu DM, Gachuiri CK, Sensenig RL, Young TP. Wild herbivores and cattle have differing effects on postfire herbaceous vegetation recovery in an African savanna. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 34:e2975. [PMID: 38747033 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Fire and herbivory have profound effects on vegetation in savanna ecosystems, but little is known about how different herbivore groups influence vegetation dynamics after fire. We assessed the separate and combined effects of herbivory by cattle and wild meso- and megaherbivores on postfire herbaceous vegetation cover, species richness, and species turnover in a savanna ecosystem in central Kenya. We measured these vegetation attributes for five sampling periods (from 2013 to 2017) in prescribed burns and unburned areas located within a series of replicated long-term herbivore exclosures that allow six different combinations of cattle and wild meso- and megaherbivores (elephants and giraffes). Vegetation cover (grasses, mainly) and species richness were initially reduced by burning but recovered by 15-27 months after fire, suggesting strong resilience to infrequent fire. However, the rates of recovery differed in plots accessible by different wild and domestic herbivore guilds. Wildlife (but not cattle) delayed postfire recovery of grasses, and the absence of wildlife (with or without cattle) delayed recovery of forbs. Herbivory by only cattle increased grass species richness in burned relative to unburned areas. Herbivory by cattle (with or without wildlife), however, reduced forb species richness in burned relative to unburned areas. Herbivory by wild ungulates (but not cattle) increased herbaceous species turnover in burned relative to unburned areas. Megaherbivores had negligible modifying effects on these results. This study demonstrates that savanna ecosystems are remarkably resilient to infrequent fires, but postfire grazing by cattle and wild mesoherbivores exerts different effects on recovery trajectories of herbaceous vegetation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherril P Masudi
- Department of Animal Production, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Wageningen Institute of Animal Science, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred O Odadi
- Department of Natural Resources, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
- Mpala Research Center, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Duncan M Kimuyu
- Mpala Research Center, Nanyuki, Kenya
- Department of Natural Resources, Karatina University, Karatina, Kenya
| | | | - Ryan L Sensenig
- Mpala Research Center, Nanyuki, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Truman P Young
- Mpala Research Center, Nanyuki, Kenya
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Simba LD, Te Beest M, Hawkins HJ, Larson KW, Palmer AR, Sandström C, Smart KG, Kerley GIH, Cromsigt JPGM. Wilder rangelands as a natural climate opportunity: Linking climate action to biodiversity conservation and social transformation. AMBIO 2024; 53:678-696. [PMID: 38296876 PMCID: PMC10991972 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01976-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Rangelands face threats from climate and land-use change, including inappropriate climate change mitigation initiatives such as tree planting in grassy ecosystems. The marginalization and impoverishment of rangeland communities and their indigenous knowledge systems, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, are additional major challenges. To address these issues, we propose the wilder rangelands integrated framework, co-developed by South African and European scientists from diverse disciplines, as an opportunity to address the climate, livelihood, and biodiversity challenges in the world's rangelands. More specifically, we present a Theory of Change to guide the design, monitoring, and evaluation of wilder rangelands. Through this, we aim to promote rangeland restoration, where local communities collaborate with regional and international actors to co-create new rangeland use models that simultaneously mitigate the impacts of climate change, restore biodiversity, and improve both ecosystem functioning and livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavhelesani D Simba
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa.
| | - Mariska Te Beest
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Grasslands, Forests and Wetlands Node, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Heidi-Jayne Hawkins
- Conservation International, Forrest House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Private Bag X1, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
| | - Keith W Larson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Climate Impacts Research Centre, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anthony R Palmer
- Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa
| | - Camilla Sandström
- Department of Political Science, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kathleen G Smart
- Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa
- Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON), Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Graham I H Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa
| | - Joris P G M Cromsigt
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 77000, Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
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Pyric Herbivory and the Nexus Between Forage, Fire and Native and Introduced Large Grazing Herbivores in Australian Tropical Savannas. Ecosystems 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-022-00781-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEarth’s tropical savannas typically support high biomass of diverse grazing herbivores that depend on a highly fluctuating resource: high-quality forage. An annual wet–dry cycle, fire and herbivory combine to influence forage quality and availability throughout the year. In the savannas of northern Australia, a depauperate suite of large native (marsupial) herbivores (wallaroos [Osphranter spp.] and the agile wallaby [Notamacropus agilis]) compete for resources with non-native large herbivores introduced in the late nineteenth century, particularly bovines (feral and managed cattle [Bos spp.] and feral water buffalo [Bubalus bubalis]) that now dominate the landscape. Anecdotal reports of recent population declines of large macropods and negative impacts of bovines highlight the need to better understand the complex relationship between forage, fire and abundance of native and introduced large herbivores. The pyric herbivory conceptual model, which posits complex feedbacks between fire and herbivory and was developed outside Australia, predicts that native and introduced large herbivores will both respond positively to post-fire forage production in Australian savannas where they co-occur. We used grazing exclosures, forage biomass and nutrient analyses and motion-sensor camera-trapping to evaluate the overall robustness of the pyric herbivory model in the Australian context, specifically whether forage quantity and quality are impacted by herbivory, season and fire activity, and which forage attributes most influence large grazing herbivore abundance. Forage quantity, as measured by live, dead and total herbaceous biomass and proportion of biomass alive, was higher inside herbivore exclosures, even at relatively low densities of herbivores. Forage quality, as measured by fibre content, was not affected by herbivory, however, crude protein content of live herbaceous biomass was greater outside herbivore exclosures. Recent fire was an important predictor of all measures of forage quantity and quality. Recent fire occurrence decreased overall quantity (biomass) but increased quality (decreased fibre content and increased crude protein content); late dry season fires resulted in forage with the highest crude protein content. The predictions of the pyric herbivory conceptual model are consistent with observations of the feeding behaviour of introduced bovines and some large macropods in northern Australian savannas, lending support to the global generality of pyric herbivory in fire-prone grassy biomes.
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Wells HBM, Porensky LM, Veblen KE, Riginos C, Stringer LC, Dougill AJ, Namoni M, Ekadeli J, Young TP. At high stocking rates, cattle do not functionally replace wild herbivores in shaping understory community composition. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2520. [PMID: 34918420 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Over a quarter of the world's land surface is grazed by cattle and other livestock, which are replacing wild herbivores, potentially impairing ecosystem structure, and functions. Previous research suggests that cattle at moderate stocking rates can functionally replace wild herbivores in shaping understory communities. However, it is uncertain whether this is also true under high stocking rates and the effects of wild herbivore on plant communities are moderate, enhanced, or simply additive to the effects of cattle at high stocking rates. To evaluate the influence of cattle stocking rates on the ability of cattle to functionally replace wild herbivores and test for interactive effects between cattle and wild herbivores in shaping understory vegetation, we assessed herbaceous vegetation in a long-term exclosure experiment in a semi-arid savanna in central Kenya that selectively excludes wild mesoherbivores (50-1000 kg) and megaherbivores (elephant and giraffe). We tested the effects of cattle stocking rate (zero/moderate/high) on herbaceous vegetation (diversity, composition, leafiness). We also tested how those effects depend on the presence of wild mesoherbivores and megaherbivores. We found that herbaceous community composition (primary ordination axis) was better explained by the presence/absence of herbivore types than by total herbivory, suggesting that herbivore identity is a more important determinant of community composition than total herbivory at high cattle stocking rates. The combination of wild mesoherbivores and cattle stocked at high rates led to increased bare ground and annual grass cover, reduced perennial grass cover and understory leafiness, and enhanced understory diversity. These shifts were weaker or absent when cattle were stocked at high stocking rates in the absence of wild mesoherbivores. Megaherbivores tempered the effects of cattle stocked at high rates on herbaceous community composition but amplified the effects of high cattle stocking rate on bare ground and understory diversity. Our results show that cattle at high stocking rates do not functionally replace wild herbivores in shaping savanna herbaceous communities contrary to previous findings at moderate stocking rates. In mixed-use rangelands, interactions between cattle stocking rate and wild herbivore presence can lead to non-additive vegetation responses with important implications for both wildlife conservation and livestock production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry B M Wells
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme, Nanyuki, Kenya
- Space for Giants, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Lauren M Porensky
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya
- USDA-ARS Rangeland Resources Research Unit, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Kari E Veblen
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Corinna Riginos
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya
- The Nature Conservancy, Lander, Wyoming, USA
| | - Lindsay C Stringer
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UK
| | - Andrew J Dougill
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | - Truman P Young
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya
- Department of Plant Sciences and Ecology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Wells HBM, Crego RD, Ekadeli J, Namoni M, Kimuyu DM, Odadi WO, Porensky LM, Dougill AJ, Stringer LC, Young TP. Less Is More: Lowering Cattle Stocking Rates Enhances Wild Herbivore Habitat Use and Cattle Foraging Efficiency. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.825689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over a quarter of the world’s land surface is grazed by cattle and other livestock, which are replacing wild herbivores and widely regarded as drivers of global biodiversity declines. The effects of livestock presence versus absence on wild herbivores are well documented. However, the environmental context-specific effects of cattle stocking rate on biodiversity and livestock production are poorly understood, precluding nuanced rangeland management recommendations. To address this, we used a long term exclosure experiment in a semi-arid savanna ecosystem in central Kenya that selectively excludes cattle (at different stocking rates), wild mesoherbivores, and megaherbivores. We investigated the individual and interactive effects of cattle stocking rate (zero/moderate/high) and megaherbivore (>1,000 kg) accessibility on habitat use (measured as dung density) by two dominant wild mesoherbivores (50–1,000 kg; zebra Equus quagga and eland Taurotragus oryx) across the “wet” and “dry” seasons. To explore potential tradeoffs or co-benefits between cattle production and wildlife conservation, we tested for individual and interactive effects of cattle stocking rate and accessibility by wild mesoherbivores and megaherbivores (collectively, large wild herbivores) on the foraging efficiency of cattle across both seasons. Eland habitat use was reduced by cattle at moderate and high stocking rates across both dry and wet seasons and regardless of megaherbivore accessibility. We observed a positive effect of megaherbivores on zebra habitat use at moderate, but not high, stocking rates. Cattle foraging efficiency (g dry matter step–1 min–1) was lower in the high compared to moderate stocking rate treatments during the dry season, and was non-additively reduced by wild mesoherbivores and high cattle stocking rates during the wet season. These results show that high stocking rates are detrimental to wild mesoherbivore habitat use and cattle foraging efficiency, while reducing to moderate stocking rates can benefit zebra habitat use and cattle foraging efficiency. Our findings demonstrate that ecosystem management and restoration efforts across African rangelands that involve reducing cattle stocking rates may represent a win-win for wild herbivore conservation and individual performance of livestock.
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Wells HBM, Kimuyu DM, Odadi WO, Dougill AJ, Stringer LC, Young TP. Wild and domestic savanna herbivores increase smaller vertebrate diversity, but less than additively. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Harry B. M. Wells
- Sustainability Research Institute School of Earth and Environment University of Leeds Leeds UK
- Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme Nanyuki Kenya
| | - Duncan M. Kimuyu
- Mpala Research Centre Nanyuki Kenya
- Department of Natural Resources Karatina University Karatina Kenya
| | - Wilfred O. Odadi
- Mpala Research Centre Nanyuki Kenya
- Department of Natural Resources Egerton University Egerton Kenya
| | - Andrew J. Dougill
- Sustainability Research Institute School of Earth and Environment University of Leeds Leeds UK
| | - Lindsay C. Stringer
- Sustainability Research Institute School of Earth and Environment University of Leeds Leeds UK
- Department of Environment and Geography University of York York UK
| | - Truman P. Young
- Mpala Research Centre Nanyuki Kenya
- Department of Plant Sciences and Ecology Graduate Group University of California Davis CA USA
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Bacigalupo SA, Dixon LK, Gubbins S, Kucharski AJ, Drewe JA. Towards a unified generic framework to define and observe contacts between livestock and wildlife: a systematic review. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10221. [PMID: 33173619 PMCID: PMC7594637 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild animals are the source of many pathogens of livestock and humans. Concerns about the potential transmission of economically important and zoonotic diseases from wildlife have led to increased surveillance at the livestock-wildlife interface. Knowledge of the types, frequency and duration of contacts between livestock and wildlife is necessary to identify risk factors for disease transmission and to design possible mitigation strategies. Observing the behaviour of many wildlife species is challenging due to their cryptic nature and avoidance of humans, meaning there are relatively few studies in this area. Further, a consensus on the definition of what constitutes a 'contact' between wildlife and livestock is lacking. A systematic review was conducted to investigate which livestock-wildlife contacts have been studied and why, as well as the methods used to observe each species. Over 30,000 publications were screened, of which 122 fulfilled specific criteria for inclusion in the analysis. The majority of studies examined cattle contacts with badgers or with deer; studies involving wild pig contacts with cattle or with domestic pigs were the next most frequent. There was a range of observational methods including motion-activated cameras and global positioning system collars. As a result of the wide variation and lack of consensus in the definitions of direct and indirect contacts, we developed a unified framework to define livestock-wildlife contacts that is sufficiently flexible to be applied to most wildlife and livestock species for non-vector-borne diseases. We hope this framework will help standardise the collection and reporting of contact data; a valuable step towards being able to compare the efficacy of wildlife-livestock observation methods. In doing so, it may aid the development of better disease transmission models and improve the design and effectiveness of interventions to reduce or prevent disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Simon Gubbins
- The Pirbright Institute, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Adam J. Kucharski
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Stears K, Shrader AM. Coexistence between wildlife and livestock is contingent on cattle density and season but not differences in body size. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236895. [PMID: 32735578 PMCID: PMC7394405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies on the coexistence of wildlife with livestock have focused primarily on similar-sized species. Furthermore, many of these studies have used dietary overlap as a measure of potential competition between interacting species and thus lack the important link between dietary overlap and any negative effects on a particular species–a prerequisite for competition. Consequently, the mechanisms that drive interspecific interactions between wildlife and cattle are frequently overlooked. To address this, we used an experimental setup where we leveraged different cattle stocking rates across two seasons to identify the drivers of interspecific interactions (i.e. competition and facilitation) between smaller-bodied oribi antelope and cattle. Using direct foraging observations, we assessed dietary overlap and grass regrowth, and also calculated oribi nutritional intake rates. Ultimately, we found that cattle compete with, and facilitate, smaller-bodied oribi antelope through bottom-up control. Specifically, cattle facilitated oribi during the wet season, irrespective of cattle stocking density, because cattle foraging produced high-quality grass regrowth. In contrast, during the dry season, cattle and oribi did not co-exist in the same areas (i.e. no direct dietary overlap). Despite this, we found that cattle foraging at high densities during the previous wet season reduced the dry season availability of oribi’s preferred grass species. To compensate, oribi expanded their dry season diet breadth and included less palatable grass species, ultimately reducing their nutritional intake rates. Thus, cattle competed with oribi through a delayed, across-season habitat modification. We show that differences in body size alone may not be able to offset competitive interactions between cattle and wildlife. Finally, understanding the mechanisms that drive facilitation and competition are key to promoting co-existence between cattle and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keenan Stears
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America
- South African Environmental Observation Network, Ndlovu Node, Scientific Services, Kruger National Park, Phalaborwa, South Africa
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Adrian M. Shrader
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Osborne CP, Charles-Dominique T, Stevens N, Bond WJ, Midgley G, Lehmann CER. Human impacts in African savannas are mediated by plant functional traits. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 220:10-24. [PMID: 29806964 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Tropical savannas have a ground cover dominated by C4 grasses, with fire and herbivory constraining woody cover below a rainfall-based potential. The savanna biome covers 50% of the African continent, encompassing diverse ecosystems that include densely wooded Miombo woodlands and Serengeti grasslands with scattered trees. African savannas provide water, grazing and browsing, food and fuel for tens of millions of people, and have a unique biodiversity that supports wildlife tourism. However, human impacts are causing widespread and accelerating degradation of savannas. The primary threats are land cover-change and transformation, landscape fragmentation that disrupts herbivore communities and fire regimes, climate change and rising atmospheric CO2 . The interactions among these threats are poorly understood, with unknown consequences for ecosystem health and human livelihoods. We argue that the unique combinations of plant functional traits characterizing the major floristic assemblages of African savannas make them differentially susceptible and resilient to anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem change. Research must address how this functional diversity among African savannas differentially influences their vulnerability to global change and elucidate the mechanisms responsible. This knowledge will permit appropriate management strategies to be developed to maintain ecosystem integrity, biodiversity and livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin P Osborne
- Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Tristan Charles-Dominique
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, 666303, Yunnan, China
| | - Nicola Stevens
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - William J Bond
- South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Guy Midgley
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
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Odadi WO, Charles GK, Young TP. Cattle select African savanna termite mound patches less when sharing habitat with wild herbivores. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9074-9085. [PMID: 30271567 PMCID: PMC6157688 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
African savanna termite mounds function as nutrient-rich foraging hotspots for different herbivore species, but little is known about their effects on the interaction between domestic and wild herbivores. Understanding such effects is important for better management of these herbivore guilds in landscapes where they share habitats. Working in a central Kenyan savanna ecosystem, we compared selection of termite mound patches by cattle between areas cattle accessed exclusively and areas they shared with wild herbivores. Termite mound selection index was significantly lower in the shared areas than in areas cattle accessed exclusively. Furthermore, cattle used termite mounds in proportion to their availability when they were the only herbivores present, but used them less than their availability when they shared foraging areas with wild herbivores. These patterns were associated with reduced herbage cover on termite mounds in the shared foraging areas, partly indicating that cattle and wild herbivores compete for termite mound forage. However, reduced selection of termite mound patches was also reinforced by higher leafiness of Brachiaria lachnantha (the principal cattle diet forage species) off termite mounds in shared than in unshared areas. Taken together, these findings suggest that during wet periods, cattle can overcome competition for termite mounds by taking advantage of wildlife-mediated increased forage leafiness in the matrix surrounding termite mounds. However, this advantage is likely to dissipate during dry periods when forage conditions deteriorate across the landscape and the importance of termite mounds as nutrient hotspots increases for both cattle and wild herbivores. Therefore, we suggest that those managing for both livestock production and wildlife conservation in such savanna landscapes should adopt grazing strategies that could lessen competition for forage on termite mounds, such as strategically decreasing stock numbers during dry periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfred O. Odadi
- Department of Natural ResourcesEgerton UniversityEgertonKenya
- Mpala Research CentreNanyukiKenya
| | - Grace K. Charles
- Mpala Research CentreNanyukiKenya
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of California, DavisDavisCalifornia
| | - Truman P. Young
- Mpala Research CentreNanyukiKenya
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of California, DavisDavisCalifornia
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11
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Connell LC, Scasta JD, Porensky LM. Prairie dogs and wildfires shape vegetation structure in a sagebrush grassland more than does rest from ungulate grazing. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L. C. Connell
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management University of Wyoming Ag C 2004, Dept. 3354, 1000 E. University Ave Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - J. D. Scasta
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management University of Wyoming Ag C 2004, Dept. 3354, 1000 E. University Ave Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - L. M. Porensky
- USDA‐ARS Rangeland Resources Research Unit 1701 Centre Avenue Fort Collins Colorado 80526 USA
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12
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Goheen JR, Augustine DJ, Veblen KE, Kimuyu DM, Palmer TM, Porensky LM, Pringle RM, Ratnam J, Riginos C, Sankaran M, Ford AT, Hassan AA, Jakopak R, Kartzinel TR, Kurukura S, Louthan AM, Odadi WO, Otieno TO, Wambua AM, Young HS, Young TP. Conservation lessons from large-mammal manipulations in East African savannas: the KLEE, UHURU, and GLADE experiments. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1429:31-49. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Goheen
- Department of Zoology and Physiology; University of Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming
- Mpala Research Centre; Nanyuki Kenya
| | | | - Kari E. Veblen
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center; Utah State University; Logan Utah
| | - Duncan M. Kimuyu
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center; Utah State University; Logan Utah
- Mpala Research Centre; Nanyuki Kenya
| | - Todd M. Palmer
- Department of Biology; University of Florida; Gainesville Florida
- Mpala Research Centre; Nanyuki Kenya
| | | | - Robert M. Pringle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Princeton University; Princeton New Jersey
- Mpala Research Centre; Nanyuki Kenya
| | | | | | - Mahesh Sankaran
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR; Bangalore India
- School of Biology, University of Leeds; Leeds United Kingdom
| | - Adam T. Ford
- Department of Biology; University of British Columbia; Kelowna British Columbia Canada
| | | | - Rhiannon Jakopak
- Department of Zoology and Physiology; University of Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming
| | - Tyler R. Kartzinel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Brown University; Providence Rhode Island
| | | | | | - Wilfred O. Odadi
- Department of Natural Resources; Egerton University; Egerton Kenya
- Mpala Research Centre; Nanyuki Kenya
| | | | - Alois M. Wambua
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center; Utah State University; Logan Utah
- Mpala Research Centre; Nanyuki Kenya
| | - Hillary S. Young
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology; University of California; Santa Barbara California
| | - Truman P. Young
- Department of Plant Sciences; University of California; Davis California
- Mpala Research Centre; Nanyuki Kenya
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