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Niu W, Ding J, Fu B, Zhao W, Han Y, Zhou A, Liu Y, Eldridge D. Ecosystem multifunctionality is more related to the indirect effects than to the direct effects of human management in China's drylands. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 368:122259. [PMID: 39180826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Drylands provide a wide range of important ecosystem functions but are sensitive to environmental changes, especially human management. Two major land use types of drylands are grasslands and croplands, which are influenced by intensive grazing activities and agricultural management, respectively. However, little is known about whether the ecosystem functioning of these two land use types is predominated affected by human management, or environmental factors (intrinsic environmental factors and factors modified by human management). This limits our understanding of the ecosystem functions under intensive human management in drylands. Here we reported a study where we collected data from 40 grassland and 30 cropland sites along an extensive aridity gradient in China's drylands to quantify the effects of human management intensity, intrinsic environmental factors (i.e., aridity), and environmental factors modified by human management (i.e., soil bulk density and plant density) on specific ecosystem functions (ecosystem multifunctionality, productivity, carbon storage, soil water, and soil nutrients). We found that the relative importance of each function differed between croplands and grasslands. Ecosystem functions varied with human management intensity, with lower productivity and plant carbon storage in grasslands under high grazing intensity than un-grazed, while multifunctionality and carbon storage increased with greater fertilization only in arid croplands. Furthermore, among environmental factors, soil bulk density had the greatest negative effects, which directly reduced multifunctionality in grasslands and indirectly reduced multifunctionality in croplands via suppressing crop density. Crop density was the major environmental factor that positively related to multifunctionality in croplands. However, these effects would be exacerbated with increasing aridity. Our study demonstrated that compared with the direct impacts of human management, environmental factors modified by human management (e.g., soil bulk density) are the major drivers of ecosystem functions, indicating that improving soil structure by alleviating human interferences (e.g., reducing livestock trampling) would be an effective way to restore ecosystem functions in drylands under global warming and drying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jingyi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Bojie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Wenwu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yi Han
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Ao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - David Eldridge
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2125, Australia
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Canelo T, Marquina D, Chozas S, Bergsten J, Gaytán Á, Pérez-Izquierdo C, Bonal R. Effects of livestock on arthropod biodiversity in Iberian holm oak savannas revealed by metabarcoding. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 365:121619. [PMID: 38963962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Increasing food production while avoiding negative impacts on biodiversity constitutes one of the main challenges of our time. Traditional silvopastoral systems like Iberian oak savannas ("dehesas") set an example, where free-range livestock has been reared for centuries while preserving a high natural value. Nevertheless, factors decreasing productivity need to be addressed, one being acorn losses provoked by pest insects. An increased and focalized grazing by livestock on infested acorns would kill the larvae inside and decrease pest numbers, but increased livestock densities could have undesired side effects on ground arthropod communities as a whole. We designed an experimental setup including areas under trees with livestock exclosures of different ages (short-term: 1-year exclusion, long-term: 10-year exclusion), along with controls (continuous grazing), using DNA metabarcoding (mitochondrial markers COI and 16S) to rapidly assess arthropod communities' composition. Livestock removal quickly increased grass cover and arthropod taxonomic richness and diversity, which was already higher in short-term (1-year exclosures) than beneath the canopies of control trees. Interestingly, arthropod diversity was not highest at long-term exclosures (≥10 years), although their community composition was the most distinct. Also, regardless of treatment, we found that functional diversity strongly correlated with the vegetation structure, being higher at trees beneath which there was higher grass cover and taller herbs. Overall, the taxonomic diversity peak at short term exclosures would support the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, which relates it with the higher microhabitat heterogeneity at moderately disturbed areas. Thus, we propose a rotatory livestock management in dehesas: plots with increased grazing should co-exist with temporal short-term exclosures. Ideally, a few long-term excluded areas should be also kept for the singularity of their arthropod communities. This strategy would make possible the combination of biological pest control and arthropod conservation in Iberian dehesas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Canelo
- Dpto. Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal. Grupo de Investigación Forestal, INDEHESA, Centro Universitario de Plasencia, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Virgen del Puerto 2, 10600, Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain; Centro de Ecologia Aplicada "Prof. Baeta Neves" (CEABN), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Daniel Marquina
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sergio Chozas
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute. FCUL: Sciences Faculty of the University of Lisbon Campo Grande, Portugal
| | - Johannes Bergsten
- Department of Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Álvaro Gaytán
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IRNAS-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carlos Pérez-Izquierdo
- Dpto. Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal. Grupo de Investigación Forestal, INDEHESA, Centro Universitario de Plasencia, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Virgen del Puerto 2, 10600, Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Raúl Bonal
- Dpto. Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal. Grupo de Investigación Forestal, INDEHESA, Centro Universitario de Plasencia, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Virgen del Puerto 2, 10600, Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain; Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
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Li X, Bleisch WV, Hu W, Li Q, Wang H, Chen Z, Bai R, Jiang XL. Human disturbance increases spatiotemporal associations among mountain forest terrestrial mammal species. eLife 2024; 12:RP92457. [PMID: 38949865 PMCID: PMC11216745 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Spatial and temporal associations between sympatric species underpin biotic interactions, structure ecological assemblages, and sustain ecosystem functioning and stability. However, the resilience of interspecific spatiotemporal associations to human activity remains poorly understood, particularly in mountain forests where anthropogenic impacts are often pervasive. Here, we applied context-dependent Joint Species Distribution Models to a systematic camera-trap survey dataset from a global biodiversity hotspot in eastern Himalayas to understand how prominent human activities in mountain forests influence species associations within terrestrial mammal communities. We obtained 10,388 independent detections of 17 focal species (12 carnivores and five ungulates) from 322 stations over 43,163 camera days of effort. We identified a higher incidence of positive associations in habitats with higher levels of human modification (87%) and human presence (83%) compared to those located in habitats with lower human modification (64%) and human presence (65%) levels. We also detected a significant reduction of pairwise encounter time at increasing levels of human disturbance, corresponding to more frequent encounters between pairs of species. Our findings indicate that human activities can push mammals together into more frequent encounters and associations, which likely influences the coexistence and persistence of wildlife, with potential far-ranging ecological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - William V Bleisch
- China Exploration and Research Society, 2707-08 SouthMark, Wong Chuk HangHong KongChina
| | - Wenqiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Quan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Hongjiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Zhongzheng Chen
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhuChina
| | - Ru Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Xue-Long Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
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Ma L, Zheng J, Pen J, Xiao X, Liu Y, Liu L, Han W, Li G, Zhang J. Monitoring and influencing factors of grassland livestock overload in Xinjiang from 1982 to 2020. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1340566. [PMID: 38601311 PMCID: PMC11004366 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1340566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
It is crucial to estimate the theoretical carrying capacity of grasslands in Xinjiang to attain a harmonious balance between grassland and livestock, thereby fostering sustainable development in the livestock industry. However, there has been a lack of quantitative assessments that consider long-term, multi-scale grass-livestock balance and its impacts in the region. This study utilized remote sensing and empirical models to assess the theoretical livestock carrying capacity of grasslands. The multi-scale spatiotemporal variations of the theoretical carrying capacity in Xinjiang from 1982 to 2020 were analyzed using the Sen and Mann-Kendall tests, as well as the Hurst index. The study also examined the county-level grass-livestock balance and inter-annual trends. Additionally, the study employed the geographic detector method to explore the influencing factors. The results showed that: (1) The overall theoretical livestock carrying capacity showed an upward trend from 1982 to 2020; The spatial distribution gradually decreased from north to south and from east to west. In seasonal scale from large to small is: growing season > summer > spring > autumn > winter; at the monthly scale, the strongest livestock carrying capacity is in July. The different grassland types from largest to smallest are: meadow > alpine subalpine meadow > plain steppe > desert steppe > alpine subalpine steppe. In the future, the theoretical livestock carrying capacity of grassland will decrease. (2) From 1988 to 2020, the average grass-livestock balance index in Xinjiang was 2.61%, showing an overall increase. At the county level, the number of overloaded counties showed an overall increasing trend, rising from 46 in 1988 to 58 in 2020. (3) Both single and interaction factors of geographic detectors showed that annual precipitation, altitude and soil organic matter were the main drivers of spatiotemporal dynamics of grassland load in Xinjiang. The results of this study can provide scientific guidance and decision-making basis for achieving coordinated and sustainable development of grassland resources and animal husbandry in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Ma
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jianghua Zheng
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jian Pen
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Grassland Station, Urumqi, China
| | - Xianghua Xiao
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Grassland Station, Urumqi, China
| | - Yujia Liu
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Liang Liu
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Wanqiang Han
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Gangyong Li
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Grassland Station, Urumqi, China
| | - Jianli Zhang
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Grassland Station, Urumqi, China
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5
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Tuo B, García-Palacios P, Guo C, Yan ER, Berg MP, Cornelissen JHC. Meta-analysis reveals that vertebrates enhance plant litter decomposition at the global scale. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:411-422. [PMID: 38195996 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02292-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Evidence is mounting that vertebrate defaunation greatly impacts global biogeochemical cycling. Yet, there is no comprehensive assessment of the potential vertebrate influence over plant decomposition, despite litter decay being one of the largest global carbon fluxes. We therefore conducted a global meta-analysis to evaluate vertebrate effects on litter mass loss and associated element release across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Here we show that vertebrates affected litter decomposition by various direct and indirect pathways, increasing litter mass loss by 6.7% on average, and up to 34.4% via physical breakdown. This positive vertebrate impact on litter mass loss was consistent across contrasting litter types (woody and non-woody), climatic regions (boreal, temperate and tropical), ecosystem types (aquatic and terrestrial) and vertebrate taxa, but disappeared when evaluating litter nitrogen and phosphorus release. Moreover, we found evidence of interactive effects between vertebrates and non-vertebrate decomposers on litter mass loss, and a larger influence of vertebrates at mid-to-late decomposition stages, contrasting with the invertebrate effect known to be strongest at early decomposition stage. Our synthesis demonstrates a global vertebrate control over litter mass loss, and further stresses the need to account for vertebrates when assessing the impacts of biodiversity loss on biogeochemical cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Tuo
- A-LIFE, Systems Ecology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pablo García-Palacios
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias (ICA), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chao Guo
- Forest Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Tharandt, Germany.
| | - En-Rong Yan
- Zhejiang Zhoushan Archipelago Observation and Research Station, Tiantong National Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, and Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), Shanghai, China
| | - Matty P Berg
- A-LIFE, Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- GELIFES, Conservation and Community Ecology Group, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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6
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Soto I, Balzani P, Oficialdegui FJ, Molinero C, Kouba A, Ahmed DA, Turbelin AJ, Hudgins EJ, Bodey TW, Gojery SA, Courchamp F, Cuthbert RN, Haubrock PJ. The wild cost of invasive feral animals worldwide. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169281. [PMID: 38101642 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Invasive non-native species are a growing burden to economies worldwide. While domesticated animals (i.e. livestock, beasts of burden or pets) have enabled our ways of life and provide sustenance for countless individuals, they may cause substantial impacts when they escape or are released (i.e. become feral) and then become invasive with impacts. We used the InvaCost database to evaluate monetary impacts from species in the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System database. We found a total cost of $141.95 billion from only 18 invasive feral species. Invasive feral livestock incurred the highest costs at $90.03 billion, with pets contributing $50.93 billion and beasts of burden having much lower costs at $0.98 billion. Agriculture was the most affected sector at $80.79 billion, followed by the Environment ($43.44 billion), and Authorities-Stakeholders sectors ($5.52 billion). Damage costs comprised the majority ($124.94 billion), with management and mixed damage-management costs making up the rest ($9.62 and $7.38 billion, respectively). These economic impacts were observed globally, where Oceania, North America and Europe were the most impacted regions. Islands recorded a higher economic burden than continental areas, with livestock species dominating costs more on islands than mainlands compared to other feral species. The costs of invasive feral animals were on average twice higher than those of wild species. The management of invasive feral populations requires higher investment, updated regulations, and comprehensive risk assessments. These are especially complex when considering the potential conflicts arising from interventions with species that have close ties to humans. Effective communication to raise public awareness of the impacts of feral populations and appropriate legislation to prevent or control such invasive feral populations will substantially contribute to minimizing their socioeconomic and environmental impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Soto
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Paride Balzani
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco J Oficialdegui
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | | | - Antonín Kouba
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Danish A Ahmed
- Center for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Hawally, Kuwait
| | - Anna J Turbelin
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Ecologie Systématique Evolution, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Emma J Hudgins
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa K1S 5B6, Canada; School of Agriculture, Food, and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Thomas W Bodey
- School of Biological Sciences, King's College, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | | | - Franck Courchamp
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Ecologie Systématique Evolution, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip J Haubrock
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic; Center for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Hawally, Kuwait; Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Gelnhausen, Germany
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Fernández-Gómez L, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Donázar JA, Barber X, Barbosa JM. Ecosystem productivity drives the breeding success of an endangered top avian scavenger in a changing grazing pressure context. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 910:168553. [PMID: 37979851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Environmental conditions and resource availability shape population dynamics through direct and indirect effects of climate, biological interactions and the human modification of landscape. Even when a species seems dependent on predictable anthropogenic food resources or subsidies, ecosystem-level factors can still determine population dynamics across taxa. However, there is still a knowledge gap about the cascade effects driven by climate, vegetation functioning, resource availability and governmental policies on key aspects of species reproduction for top scavengers. Here we put to good use 22 years (2000-2021) of extensive population monitoring from the endemic Canary Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus majorensis) on the Fuerteventura Island (Canary Islands, Spain) to study the relative importance of demographic factors, ecosystem conditions and availability of anthropogenic food sources on breeding success. Our results suggest that ecosystem-level primary productivity, the number of livestock animals present on the island and Density-dependent processes determine the temporal changes in the breeding success of this species. We firstly accounted for a top-down effect of livestock on island vegetation, where overgrazing directly reduces landscape-level vegetation biomass. We, consequently, found a bottom-up effect between vegetation and the Egyptian vulture's breeding success. In this context, minimal changes in ecological conditions can impact the species inhabiting these ecosystems, with direct consequences on a key population stage, such as breeding season, when energy requirements are higher. These results are especially relevant because cascading and indirect effects of ecosystem processes and governmental policies are often overlooked when pursuing conservation goals of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Fernández-Gómez
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Alimentaria (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain.
| | - José A Sánchez-Zapata
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Alimentaria (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - José A Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, EBD (CSIC), C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Xavier Barber
- Center of Operations Reseach, CIO-UMH, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Jomar M Barbosa
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Alimentaria (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
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8
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Yu T, Yan R, Zhang C, Chen S, Zhang Z, Guo L, Hu T, Jiang C, Wang M, Bai K, Zhou W, Wu L. How does grazing pressure affect feed intake and behavior of livestock in a meadow steppe in northern China and their coupling relationship. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168472. [PMID: 37951273 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Livestock feeding behavior and intake play a crucial role in influencing grassland health and productivity. A comprehensive investigation into livestock feeding behavior and intake can effectively elucidate the interactions and impacts of livestock and grasslands, providing scientific evidence and technical support for the formulation and implementation of sustainable grassland development strategies. Based on a long-term controlled grazing experiment platform conducted over 13 years, the feeding behavior and forage intake of cattle under different grazing intensities were observed and analyzed. Additionally, we used GPS sensors to study cattle grazing behavior trends. Using Mantel's test, we analyzed the relationship between cattle movement distance, forage intake, and environmental factors. The results demonstrated that cattle forage intake decreased with increasing grazing intensity. Forage intake peaked at the end of July and beginning of August, with the highest efficiency observed in August. Moreover, under light grazing intensity, cattle exhibited greater fluctuations in forage intake than those under moderate and heavy grazing intensity. Cattle movement levels increased with higher grazing intensity, and during the period of lush grass growth, cattle displayed significantly higher movement levels than during grass senescence. The accuracy of the behavior determination model based on cattle velocity ranged from 60 to 80 %. Using this model, we found that under heavy grazing conditions, cattle spent significantly more time roaming than under light and moderate grazing. Conversely, under light grazing conditions, cattle spent significantly more time feeding. A negative correlation was identified between cattle forage intake and movement distance. Cattle's forage intake was significantly positively correlated with grass height and grass biomass and significantly negatively correlated with stocking rate and movement distance. Thorough research on livestock feeding behavior and intake offers scientific evidence and technical support for formulating and implementing sustainable grassland development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Yu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ruirui Yan
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Chu Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Sisi Chen
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhitao Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China; College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China
| | - LeiFeng Guo
- Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tianci Hu
- Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; College of Computer and Information Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China
| | - Chengxiang Jiang
- Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; College of Computer and Information Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Beijing Digital Agriculture Rural Promotion Center, Building 3, No. 7 Beisha Beach, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Keyu Bai
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenneng Zhou
- College of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Lianhai Wu
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK
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9
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Ju W, Fang L, Shen G, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Chen J, Zhou G, Ma D, Bing H, Liu L, Liu J, Jin X, Guo L, Tan W, Blagodatskaya E. New perspectives on microbiome and nutrient sequestration in soil aggregates during long-term grazing exclusion. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17027. [PMID: 37946660 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17027] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Grazing exclusion alters grassland soil aggregation, microbiome composition, and biogeochemical processes. However, the long-term effects of grazing exclusion on the microbial communities and nutrient dynamics within soil aggregates remain unclear. We conducted a 36-year exclusion experiment to investigate how grazing exclusion affects the soil microbial community and the associated soil functions within soil aggregates in a semiarid grassland. Long-term (36 years) grazing exclusion induced a shift in microbial communities, especially in the <2 mm aggregates, from high to low diversity compared to the grazing control. The reduced microbial diversity was accompanied by instability of fungal communities, extended distribution of fungal pathogens to >2 mm aggregates, and reduced carbon (C) sequestration potential thus revealing a negative impact of long-term GE. In contrast, 11-26 years of grazing exclusion greatly increased C sequestration and promoted nutrient cycling in soil aggregates and associated microbial functional genes. Moreover, the environmental characteristics of microhabitats (e.g., soil pH) altered the soil microbiome and strongly contributed to C sequestration. Our findings reveal new evidence from soil microbiology for optimizing grazing exclusion duration to maintain multiple belowground ecosystem functions, providing promising suggestions for climate-smart and resource-efficient grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenliang Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Linchuan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Utilization of Critical Non-metallic Mineral Resources, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guoting Shen
- Department of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistemico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ji Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Guiyao Zhou
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistemico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Dengke Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Haijian Bing
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ji Liu
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory for Geographical Process Analysis and Simulation, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaolian Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Liang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Wenfeng Tan
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Evgenia Blagodatskaya
- Department of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle (Saale), Germany
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10
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Huang X, He M, Li L, Wang Z, Shi L, Zhao X, Hou F. Grazing and precipitation addition reduces the temporal stability of aboveground biomass in a typical steppe of Chinese Loess Plateau. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167156. [PMID: 37751835 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Few studies on the effects of human activities and global climate change on temporal stability have considered either grazing or precipitation addition (PA). How community stability responds to the interaction between PA and grazing in a single experiment remains unknown. We studied the impact of grazing and PA on the temporal stability of communities in four years field experiment conducted in a typical steppe, adopting a randomized complete block design with grazing was the main block factor and PA was the split block factor. Grazing and PA had negative impacts on the temporal stability of communities. PA reduced the community stability through decreasing the stability of subordinate and community species richness (SR), whereas grazing reduced the community stability through decreasing the stability of the SR and dominant species. In contrast, grazing and PA maintained community stability through increasing species asynchronism and promoting the decoupling of asynchronism and stability. Our results revealed the different mechanisms of grazing and PA on community stability. Exploring the response characteristics of population dynamics to global climate change and pasture management is key to understanding future climate scenarios and changes in community stability under grazing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Meiyue He
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Liyuan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Xinzhou Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Fujiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
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11
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Pacifici M, Cristiano A, Lumbierres M, Lucherini M, Mallon D, Meijaard E, Solari S, Tognelli MF, Belant JL, Butynski TM, Cronin D, d'Huart JP, Da Re D, de Jong YA, Dheer A, Fei L, Gallina S, Goodrich JM, Harihar A, Lopez Gonzalez CA, King SRB, Lewison RL, de Melo FR, Napolitano C, Rahman DA, Robinson PT, Robinson T, Rondinini C, Semiadi G, Strier K, Talebi M, Taylor WA, Thiel-Bender C, Ting N, Wiesel I. Drivers of habitat availability for terrestrial mammals: Unravelling the role of livestock, land conversion and intrinsic traits in the past 50 years. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:6900-6911. [PMID: 37804212 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16964] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The global decline of terrestrial species is largely due to the degradation, loss and fragmentation of their habitats. The conversion of natural ecosystems for cropland, rangeland, forest products and human infrastructure are the primary causes of habitat deterioration. Due to the paucity of data on the past distribution of species and the scarcity of fine-scale habitat conversion maps, however, accurate assessment of the recent effects of habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation on the range of mammals has been near impossible. We aim to assess the proportions of available habitat within the lost and retained parts of mammals' distribution ranges, and to identify the drivers of habitat availability. We produced distribution maps for 475 terrestrial mammals for the range they occupied 50 years ago and compared them to current range maps. We then calculated the differences in the percentage of 'area of habitat' (habitat available to a species within its range) between the lost and retained range areas. Finally, we ran generalized linear mixed models to identify which variables were more influential in determining habitat availability in the lost and retained parts of the distribution ranges. We found that 59% of species had a lower proportion of available habitat in the lost range compared to the retained range, thus hypothesizing that habitat loss could have contributed to range declines. The most important factors negatively affecting habitat availability were the conversion of land to rangeland and high density of livestock. Significant intrinsic traits were those related to reproductive timing and output, habitat breadth and medium body size. Our findings emphasize the importance of implementing conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts caused by human activities on the habitats of mammals, and offer evidence indicating which species have the potential to reoccupy portions of their former range if other threats cease to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Pacifici
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Cristiano
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Maria Lumbierres
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mauro Lucherini
- GECM (Grupo de Ecología comportamental de Mamíferos), INBIOSUR, CONICET-UNS, Dpto. de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, UNS, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | | | - Erik Meijaard
- Borneo Futures, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Sergio Solari
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Jerrold L Belant
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Thomas M Butynski
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Drew Cronin
- North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Daniele Da Re
- Georges Lemaître Center for Earth and Climate Research, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Yvonne A de Jong
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Arjun Dheer
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Li Fei
- Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Hong Kong, China
| | | | | | - Abishek Harihar
- Panthera, New York, New York, USA
- Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Sarah R B King
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- IUCN/SSC Equid Specialist Group, Arusha, Tanzania
| | | | - Fabiano R de Melo
- Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Avenida Purdue, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Constanza Napolitano
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Concepción, Chile
- Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile
| | - Dede Aulia Rahman
- Department of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Kampus IPB Dramaga, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
- Primate Research Center, Institute of Research and Community Service, Kampus IPB Lodaya, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | | | - Timothy Robinson
- Animal Production and Health Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Rondinini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gono Semiadi
- Research Centre for Applied Zoology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia
| | - Karen Strier
- Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mauricio Talebi
- Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Programa de Pós Graduação Análise Ambiental Integrada, Campus Diadema, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Ingrid Wiesel
- Brown Hyena Research Project, Luderitz, Namibia
- University of Pretoria, Mammal Research Institute, Hatfield, South Africa
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12
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Garrote PJ, Bugalho MN, Fedriani JM. Seedling responses to moderate and severe herbivory: a field-clipping experiment with a keystone Mediterranean palm. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2023; 25:1058-1070. [PMID: 37713282 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13581] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Plant-ungulate interactions are critical in shaping the structure of Mediterranean plant communities. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of knowledge on how plant intrinsic and extrinsic factors mediate the sign and strength of plant-ungulate interactions. This is most relevant when addressing natural or assisted restoration of plant communities in human-disturbed areas. We conducted field-clipping experiments simulating how different intensities of ungulate herbivory may affect the natural regeneration and establishment of the Mediterranean dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis), a keystone species in Mediterranean ecosystems. We quantified seedling survival and size in two human-disturbed sites (SW Spain) where wild and domestic ungulates exert high herbivory pressure on vegetation. Severe clipping and seedling aging reduced rates of seedling survival. In contrast, moderate clipping did not affect seedling survival, suggesting a certain degree of C. humilis tolerance to herbivory. Severe clipping reduced seedling height strongly but not seedling diameter, and these effects seem to have decreased seedling survival. Nurse shrubs increased seedling size, which likely improved seedling survival. We also found seedling compensatory growth which varied between study sites. Field-clipping experiments can help disentangle effects of plant extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the sign and strength of plant-ungulate interactions and their ecological consequences on the dynamics of human-disturbed ecosystems. We call attention to the importance of appropriately managing scenarios of severe herbivory and summer droughts, particularly frequent in Mediterranean ecosystems, as synergic effects of such key drivers can negatively affect the structure and dynamics of plant communities and endanger their conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Garrote
- Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), CSIC-UVEG-GV, Moncada (Valencia), Spain
- Centre for Applied Ecology "Prof. Baeta Neves" (CEABN-InBIO), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M N Bugalho
- Centre for Applied Ecology "Prof. Baeta Neves" (CEABN-InBIO), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J M Fedriani
- Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), CSIC-UVEG-GV, Moncada (Valencia), Spain
- Doñana Biological Station (EBD), CSIC, C/Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, Seville, Spain
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13
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Xu C, Silliman BR, Chen J, Li X, Thomsen MS, Zhang Q, Lee J, Lefcheck JS, Daleo P, Hughes BB, Jones HP, Wang R, Wang S, Smith CS, Xi X, Altieri AH, van de Koppel J, Palmer TM, Liu L, Wu J, Li B, He Q. Herbivory limits success of vegetation restoration globally. Science 2023; 382:589-594. [PMID: 37917679 DOI: 10.1126/science.add2814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Restoring vegetation in degraded ecosystems is an increasingly common practice for promoting biodiversity and ecological function, but successful implementation is hampered by an incomplete understanding of the processes that limit restoration success. By synthesizing terrestrial and aquatic studies globally (2594 experimental tests from 610 articles), we reveal substantial herbivore control of vegetation under restoration. Herbivores at restoration sites reduced vegetation abundance more strongly (by 89%, on average) than those at relatively undegraded sites and suppressed, rather than fostered, plant diversity. These effects were particularly pronounced in regions with higher temperatures and lower precipitation. Excluding targeted herbivores temporarily or introducing their predators improved restoration by magnitudes similar to or greater than those achieved by managing plant competition or facilitation. Thus, managing herbivory is a promising strategy for enhancing vegetation restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changlin Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Brian R Silliman
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC, USA
| | - Jianshe Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xincheng Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mads S Thomsen
- Marine Ecology Research Group and Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Qun Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juhyung Lee
- Marine Science Center, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA, USA
- Department of Oceanography and Marine Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonathan S Lefcheck
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network and MarineGEO Program, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, USA
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USA
| | - Pedro Daleo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), UNMdP, CONICETC, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Brent B Hughes
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, USA
| | - Holly P Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Rong Wang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Carter S Smith
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC, USA
| | - Xinqiang Xi
- Department of Ecology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Andrew H Altieri
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Johan van de Koppel
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Yerseke, Netherlands
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Todd M Palmer
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lingli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jihua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, and College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Bo Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology and Centre for Invasion Biology, Institute of Biodiversity, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qiang He
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Chen X, Tian T, Pan H, Jin Y, Zhang X, Long Q, Tang L, Yang B, Zhang L. The Minimal Impact of Anthropogenic Disturbances on the Spatial Activities of Leopard Cats in Xinlong, China. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3328. [PMID: 37958083 PMCID: PMC10650319 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The habitat plays a crucial role in ensuring the survival of wildlife. However, the increasing disturbances caused by human activities present a substantial threat to habitats, especially for species such as the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), which is a significant small predator. Currently, research on leopard cats predominantly focuses on low-altitude regions within its distribution range, leaving plateau areas understudied. To enhance our understanding of the impact of human disturbances on leopard cat habitats, we undertook a study employing infrared camera trappings to monitor leopard cats' activity in Xinlong of southwestern China between 2015 and 2023. We analyzed the spatial distribution and habitat suitability of the leopard cats by utilizing ensemble species distribution models (ESDMs). Moreover, we employed two-species occupancy models to investigate the spatial interaction between leopard cats and human disturbances. The results indicated that (1) the potential suitable habitat area for leopard cats encompassed approximately 1324.93 km2 (14.3%), primarily located along the banks of Yalong river. (2) The distribution of suitable habitat was predominantly influenced by competitors, specifically the yellow-throated marten (YTM), accounting for 52.4% of the influence, as well as environmental factors such as distance to water (DTW) at 12.0% and terrain roughness index (TRI) at 10.0%. Human interference, including cattle presence (4.6%), distance to road (DTD, 4.9%), and distance to settlement (DTS, 3.5%), had a limited impact on the habitat distribution. (3) Within a 5 km radius, habitat suitability increased with proximity to human settlements. (4) Leopard cats exhibited spatial independence from humans and domestic cattle (species interaction factor (SIF) = 1.00) while avoiding domestic horses (SIF = 0.76 ± 0.03). The relatively minor impact of human disturbances in Xinlong could be attributed to traditional cultural practices safeguarding wildlife and the leopard cat's environmental adaptability. We recommend establishing a novel conservation paradigm based on the living dynamics of wildlife communities in Xinlong, thereby offering a more targeted approach to biodiversity preservation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (X.C.); (T.T.); (H.P.)
| | - Tengteng Tian
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (X.C.); (T.T.); (H.P.)
| | - Han Pan
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (X.C.); (T.T.); (H.P.)
- College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637002, China
- Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) Foundation, Beijing 100020, China; (Y.J.); (X.Z.)
| | - Yuyi Jin
- Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) Foundation, Beijing 100020, China; (Y.J.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xiaodian Zhang
- Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) Foundation, Beijing 100020, China; (Y.J.); (X.Z.)
| | - Qinggang Long
- China Environmental Protection Foundation, Beijing 100062, China; (Q.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Ling Tang
- China Environmental Protection Foundation, Beijing 100062, China; (Q.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Biao Yang
- College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637002, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (X.C.); (T.T.); (H.P.)
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15
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Xu Z, Li X, Zhang L. A bibliometric analysis of research trends and hotspots in alpine grassland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16210. [PMID: 37901470 PMCID: PMC10612491 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A bibliometric analysis of current research, hotspots, and development trends was used to develop an overall framework of mechanisms of alpine grassland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This investigation includes data from 1,330 articles on alpine grassland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, acquired from the Chinese Science Citation Database (CSCD) and Web of Science Core Collection (WOS). Research was divided into three themes: spatial scope and management of typical grassland degradation problems, dynamic mechanisms of grassland degradation and effects of ecological engineering, and grassland degradation risk based on remote sensing technology. The results of the analysis showed that the research can be summarized into three aspects: typical grassland degradation identification, dynamic mechanism analysis of grassland degradation, and grassland ecosystem stability strategy. The main findings can summarized, as follows: (1) Ecological analyses using the river source as a typical region defined the formation of "black soil beach" type degraded grasslands in the region, and promoted the ecological environment management and protection of the alpine grassland by discussing the causes of regional ecological environment changes; (2) Dynamic mechanism analyses of climate change and characteristics analyses of grassland vegetation-soil degradation revealed that alpine grassland degradation is the result of multiple main factors; and (3) Risk prediction methods for grassland degradation, methods of grassland management and sustainable countermeasures for agriculture and animal husbandry development, and the development of a comprehensive index of influencing factors on grassland degradation all indicate that selecting the right grassland restoration measures is the key to grassland restoration. Remote sensing monitoring and high-throughput sequencing technology should be used in future research on grassland ecosystems. In addition, multiscale, multidimensional, and multidisciplinary systematic research methods and long-term series data mining could help identify the characteristics and causes of alpine grassland system degradation. These findings can help identify a more effective coordination of landscape, water, lake, field, forest, grass, and sand management for the prevention of alpine grassland degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Xu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Li
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- National Plateau Wetland Research Center, College of Wetlands, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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16
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Tian Z, Li W, Kou Y, Dong X, Liu H, Yang X, Dong Q, Chen T. Effects of Different Livestock Grazing on Foliar Fungal Diseases in an Alpine Grassland on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:949. [PMID: 37755057 PMCID: PMC10533196 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In grassland ecosystems, the occurrence and transmission of foliar fungal diseases are largely dependent on grazing by large herbivores. However, whether herbivores that have different body sizes differentially impact foliar fungal diseases remains largely unexplored. Thus, we conducted an 8-year grazing experiment in an alpine grassland on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China and tested how different types of livestock (sheep (Ovis aries), yak (Bos grunniens), or both)) affected foliar fungal diseases at the levels of both plant population and community. At the population level, grazing by a single species (yak or sheep) or mixed species (sheep and yak) significantly decreased the severity of eight leaf spot diseases. Similarly, at the community level, both single species (yak or sheep) and mixed grazing by both sheep and yak significantly decreased the community pathogen load. However, we did not find a significant difference in the community pathogen load among different types of livestock. These results suggest that grazing by large herbivores, independently of livestock type, consistently decreased the prevalence of foliar fungal diseases at both the plant population and community levels. We suggest that moderate grazing by sheep or yak is effective to control the occurrence of foliar fungal diseases in alpine grasslands. This study advances our knowledge of the interface between disease ecology, large herbivores, and grassland science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Z.T.); (W.L.); (Y.K.); (X.D.); (H.L.)
| | - Wenjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Z.T.); (W.L.); (Y.K.); (X.D.); (H.L.)
| | - Yixin Kou
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Z.T.); (W.L.); (Y.K.); (X.D.); (H.L.)
| | - Xin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Z.T.); (W.L.); (Y.K.); (X.D.); (H.L.)
| | - Huining Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Z.T.); (W.L.); (Y.K.); (X.D.); (H.L.)
| | - Xiaoxia Yang
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Adaptive Management on Alpine Grassland, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (X.Y.); (Q.D.)
| | - Quanmin Dong
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Adaptive Management on Alpine Grassland, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (X.Y.); (Q.D.)
| | - Tao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Z.T.); (W.L.); (Y.K.); (X.D.); (H.L.)
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17
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Liang H, He YD, Theodorou P, Yang CF. The effects of urbanization on pollinators and pollination: A meta-analysis. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:1629-1642. [PMID: 37345567 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization is increasing worldwide, with major impacts on biodiversity, species interactions and ecosystem functioning. Pollination is an ecosystem function vital for terrestrial ecosystems and food security; however, the processes underlying the patterns of pollinator diversity and the ecosystem services they provide in cities have seldom been quantified. Here, we perform a comprehensive meta-analysis of 133 studies examining the effects of urbanization on pollinators and pollination. Our results confirm the widespread negative impacts of urbanization on pollinator richness and abundance, with Lepidoptera being the most affected group. Furthermore, pollinator responses were found to be trait-specific, with below-ground nesting and solitary Hymenoptera, and spring flyers more severely affected by urbanization. Meanwhile, cities promote non-native pollinators, which may exacerbate conservation risks to native species. Surprisingly, despite the negative effects of urbanization on pollinator diversity, pollination service measured as seed set is enhanced in non-tropical cities likely due to abundant generalists and managed pollinators therein. We emphasize that the richness of local flowering plants could mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on pollinator diversity. Overall, the results demonstrate the varying magnitudes of multiple moderators on urban pollinators and pollination services and could help guide conservation actions for biodiversity and ecosystem function for a sustainable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liang
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong-Deng He
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Panagiotis Theodorou
- General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chun-Feng Yang
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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18
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Zhang M, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Li G, Isbell F, Wang Y, Hautier Y, Wang Y, Xiao Y, Cai J, Pan X, Wang L. Experimental impacts of grazing on grassland biodiversity and function are explained by aridity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5040. [PMID: 37598205 PMCID: PMC10439935 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Grazing by domestic herbivores is the most widespread land use on the planet, and also a major global change driver in grasslands. Yet, experimental evidence on the long-term impacts of livestock grazing on biodiversity and function is largely lacking. Here, we report results from a network of 10 experimental sites from paired grazed and ungrazed grasslands across an aridity gradient, including some of the largest remaining native grasslands on the planet. We show that aridity partly explains the responses of biodiversity and multifunctionality to long-term livestock grazing. Grazing greatly reduced biodiversity and multifunctionality in steppes with higher aridity, while had no effects in steppes with relatively lower aridity. Moreover, we found that long-term grazing further changed the capacity of above- and below-ground biodiversity to explain multifunctionality. Thus, while plant diversity was positively correlated with multifunctionality across grasslands with excluded livestock, soil biodiversity was positively correlated with multifunctionality across grazed grasslands. Together, our cross-site experiment reveals that the impacts of long-term grazing on biodiversity and function depend on aridity levels, with the more arid sites experiencing more negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality. We also highlight the fundamental importance of conserving soil biodiversity for protecting multifunctionality in widespread grazed grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Zhang
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun). Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Guangyin Li
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Heilongjiang Xingkai Lake Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Forest Isbell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yann Hautier
- Ecology and Biodiversity Group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Yao Wang
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yingli Xiao
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jinting Cai
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaobin Pan
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.
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19
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Dornelas M, Chase JM, Gotelli NJ, Magurran AE, McGill BJ, Antão LH, Blowes SA, Daskalova GN, Leung B, Martins IS, Moyes F, Myers-Smith IH, Thomas CD, Vellend M. Looking back on biodiversity change: lessons for the road ahead. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220199. [PMID: 37246380 PMCID: PMC10225864 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Estimating biodiversity change across the planet in the context of widespread human modification is a critical challenge. Here, we review how biodiversity has changed in recent decades across scales and taxonomic groups, focusing on four diversity metrics: species richness, temporal turnover, spatial beta-diversity and abundance. At local scales, change across all metrics includes many examples of both increases and declines and tends to be centred around zero, but with higher prevalence of declining trends in beta-diversity (increasing similarity in composition across space or biotic homogenization) and abundance. The exception to this pattern is temporal turnover, with changes in species composition through time observed in most local assemblages. Less is known about change at regional scales, although several studies suggest that increases in richness are more prevalent than declines. Change at the global scale is the hardest to estimate accurately, but most studies suggest extinction rates are probably outpacing speciation rates, although both are elevated. Recognizing this variability is essential to accurately portray how biodiversity change is unfolding, and highlights how much remains unknown about the magnitude and direction of multiple biodiversity metrics at different scales. Reducing these blind spots is essential to allow appropriate management actions to be deployed. This article is part of the theme issue 'Detecting and attributing the causes of biodiversity change: needs, gaps and solutions'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dornelas
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
- Guia Marine Laboratory, MARE, Faculdade de Ciencias da Universidade de Lisboa, Cascais 2750-374, Portugal
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Jonathan M. Chase
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig 04103, Germany
- Department of Computer Sciences, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg 06099, Germany
| | | | - Anne E Magurran
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Brian J McGill
- School of Biology and Ecology and Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Laura H. Antão
- Research Centre for Ecological Change, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki,Finland
| | - Shane A. Blowes
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig 04103, Germany
- Department of Computer Sciences, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg 06099, Germany
| | - Gergana N. Daskalova
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg 2361, Austria
| | - Brian Leung
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada H3A 1B1
| | - Inês S. Martins
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Faye Moyes
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | | | - Chris D Thomas
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Mark Vellend
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K 2R1
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20
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Asefa A, Reuber V, Miehe G, Wraase L, Wube T, Schabo DG, Farwig N. Human activities modulate reciprocal effects of a subterranean ecological engineer rodent, Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, on Afroalpine vegetation cover. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10337. [PMID: 37465614 PMCID: PMC10350814 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Human activities, directly and indirectly, impact ecological engineering activities of subterranean rodents. As engineering activities of burrowing rodents are affected by, and reciprocally affect vegetation cover via feeding, burrowing and mound building, human influence such as settlements and livestock grazing, could have cascading effects on biodiversity and ecosystem processes such as bioturbation. However, there is limited understanding of the relationship between human activities and burrowing rodents. The aim of this study was therefore to understand how human activities influence the ecological engineering activity of the giant root-rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus), a subterranean rodent species endemic to the Afroalpine ecosystem of the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia. We collected data on human impact, burrowing activity and vegetation during February and March of 2021. Using path analysis, we tested (1) direct effects of human settlement on the patterns of livestock grazing intensity, (2) direct and indirect impacts of humans and livestock grazing intensity on the root-rat burrow density and (3) whether human settlement and livestock grazing influence the effects of giant root-rat burrow density on vegetation and vice versa. We found lower levels of livestock grazing intensity further from human settlement than in its proximity. We also found a significantly increased giant root-rat burrow density with increasing livestock grazing intensity. Seasonal settlement and livestock grazing intensity had an indirect negative and positive effect on giant root-rat burrow density, respectively, both via vegetation cover. Analysing the reciprocal effects of giant root-rat on vegetation, we found a significantly decreased vegetation cover with increasing density of giant root-rat burrows, and indirectly with increasing livestock grazing intensity via giant root-rat burrow density. Our results demonstrate that giant root-rats play a synanthropic engineering role that affects vegetation structure and ecosystem processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addisu Asefa
- Department of Biology, Conservation EcologyPhilipps‐Universität MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Victoria Reuber
- Department of Biology, Conservation EcologyPhilipps‐Universität MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Georg Miehe
- Department of Geography, Vegetation GeographyPhilipps‐Universität MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Luise Wraase
- Department of Geography, Environmental InformaticsPhilipps‐Universität MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Tilaye Wube
- Department of Zoology, College of Natural and Computational SciencesAddis Ababa UniversityAddis AbabaEthiopia
| | - Dana G. Schabo
- Department of Biology, Conservation EcologyPhilipps‐Universität MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Nina Farwig
- Department of Biology, Conservation EcologyPhilipps‐Universität MarburgMarburgGermany
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21
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Wu Y, Du Y, Liu X, Wan X, Yin B, Hao Y, Wang Y. Grassland biodiversity response to livestock grazing, productivity, and climate varies across biome components and diversity measurements. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:162994. [PMID: 37003325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Livestock overgrazing and climate change have been identified as the primary causes of grassland degeneration and biodiversity decline, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To gain a better understanding of this, we conducted a meta-analysis of 91 local or regional field studies from 26 countries across all inhabited continents. Using concise statistical analyses, we assessed five theoretical hypotheses for grazing intensity, grazing history, grazing animal type, productivity, and climate, and decomposed the individual contributions of each factor in regulating multiple components of grassland biodiversity. After controlling for confounding effects, we found that: no significant linear or binomial pattern for the effect-size of grassland biodiversity as grazing intensity increased; the effect-size of producer richness was relatively lower (negative biodiversity response) in grasslands with a short grazing history, grazed by large livestock, high productivity, or high climate suitability; additionally, significant difference for the effect-size of consumer richness was only detected across grazing animal groups; and the effect-size of consumer abundance, and decomposer abundance all displayed significant differences with respect to grazing characters, grassland productivity, and climate suitability. Besides, results of hierarchical variance partitioning suggested that the total and individual contribution of predictors varied across biome components and diversity measurements. Specifically, grassland productivity acted as a key factor in driving producer richness. The findings presented here collectively suggest that the response of grassland biodiversity to livestock grazing, productivity, and climate varies across different components of the biome and measurements of diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanbao Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinrong Wan
- State Key laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baofa Yin
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanbin Hao
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfen Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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22
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Pringle RM, Abraham JO, Anderson TM, Coverdale TC, Davies AB, Dutton CL, Gaylard A, Goheen JR, Holdo RM, Hutchinson MC, Kimuyu DM, Long RA, Subalusky AL, Veldhuis MP. Impacts of large herbivores on terrestrial ecosystems. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R584-R610. [PMID: 37279691 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Large herbivores play unique ecological roles and are disproportionately imperiled by human activity. As many wild populations dwindle towards extinction, and as interest grows in restoring lost biodiversity, research on large herbivores and their ecological impacts has intensified. Yet, results are often conflicting or contingent on local conditions, and new findings have challenged conventional wisdom, making it hard to discern general principles. Here, we review what is known about the ecosystem impacts of large herbivores globally, identify key uncertainties, and suggest priorities to guide research. Many findings are generalizable across ecosystems: large herbivores consistently exert top-down control of plant demography, species composition, and biomass, thereby suppressing fires and the abundance of smaller animals. Other general patterns do not have clearly defined impacts: large herbivores respond to predation risk but the strength of trophic cascades is variable; large herbivores move vast quantities of seeds and nutrients but with poorly understood effects on vegetation and biogeochemistry. Questions of the greatest relevance for conservation and management are among the least certain, including effects on carbon storage and other ecosystem functions and the ability to predict outcomes of extinctions and reintroductions. A unifying theme is the role of body size in regulating ecological impact. Small herbivores cannot fully substitute for large ones, and large-herbivore species are not functionally redundant - losing any, especially the largest, will alter net impact, helping to explain why livestock are poor surrogates for wild species. We advocate leveraging a broad spectrum of techniques to mechanistically explain how large-herbivore traits and environmental context interactively govern the ecological impacts of these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Pringle
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Joel O Abraham
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - T Michael Anderson
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Tyler C Coverdale
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Andrew B Davies
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | | | - Jacob R Goheen
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82072, USA
| | - Ricardo M Holdo
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Matthew C Hutchinson
- Department of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Duncan M Kimuyu
- Department of Natural Resources, Karatina University, Karatina, Kenya
| | - Ryan A Long
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Amanda L Subalusky
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Michiel P Veldhuis
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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23
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Mukwevho L, Dalu T, Chidawanyika F. Long-term mammal herbivory on arthropod assemblages at Kruger National Park, South Africa. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286396. [PMID: 37267291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Protected savannas are essential reserves for biological diversity, including endangered arthropod species, however, extreme grazing by mammals has cascading impacts on the communities and disrupts the functioning of these ecosystems globally. The current study assessed the abundance, species richness and composition of arthropods at the long-term grazing exclosures of Kruger National Park, South Africa. Pitfall traps and active searches were used to sample arthropods at the ungrazed, moderately, and heavily grazed exclosures. We found that Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Araneae were the most abundant orders of arthropods sampled. The abundance of multi-taxon, Diptera and Hymenoptera was significantly different between exclosures. In contrast, Coleoptera had high numbers of morphospecies compared to Hymenoptera, Araneae and Diptera. Species richness for multi-taxon, Diptera and Hymenoptera was significantly high at the heavily grazed compared to moderately grazed and ungrazed exclosures. Up to 22.2%, 41.2%, and 44.4% of the morphospecies were unique to the ungrazed, moderately and heavily grazed exclosures, respectively. A high proportion of morphospecies shared between exclosures were Coleoptera (41.0%) and Hymenoptera (38.5%) compared to Diptera and Araneae with less than 5% recorded across exclosures. Thus, morphospecies within the least abundant orders, namely Diptera and Araneae, were represented by singletons that were unique to particular exclosures compared to the most abundant arthropod orders (e.g., Coleoptera and Hymenoptera). We conclude that long-term mammal grazing enhances species richness and niche composition together with sparse and unique arthropods in the protected savannas. Therefore, managed grazing regimes can serve as a tool for maintaining the integrity of the protected savannas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludzula Mukwevho
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, South Africa
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, South Africa
| | - Frank Chidawanyika
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya
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24
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Miguel-Peñaloza A, Cultid-Medina CA, Pérez-Alquicira J, Rico Y. Do habitat fragmentation and degradation influence the strength of fine-scale spatial genetic structure in plants? A global meta-analysis. AOB PLANTS 2023; 15:plad019. [PMID: 37214225 PMCID: PMC10198778 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
As primarily sessile organisms, plants often show a non-random spatial distribution of genotypes over distance. This process known as fine-scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) has been suggested through systematic reviews to depend on life form, mating system, and pollen and seed dispersal vectors, while there is no consensus on its behaviour due to external factors, such as anthropogenic habitat changes. By conducting a systematic review and global meta-analysis of empirical FSGS studies, we aimed to evaluate how anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and degradation influence the strength of FSGS in plant populations by means of the Sp statistic. Moreover, we tested how pollination and seed dispersal vectors contribute to the variation of the Sp statistic. We retrieved 243 FSGS studies from 1960 to 2020 of which only 65 were informative for the systematic review. Most empirical studies comprised outcrossers (84%) and trees (67%), with few herbs (23%) and scarce annual species (2%). In weighted meta-analyses for 116 plant populations (31 studies), we did not detect significant effects in the magnitude of effect sizes for the Sp statistic among undisturbed, degraded and fragmented habitats. Results showed significant effects for seed dispersal vectors, but not for pollination. Overall, we observed high variation among the effect sizes (not related to the goodness-of-fit of mixed models) of habitat status, pollination and seed dispersal categories, which precludes identifying biological trends on the Sp statistic. More empirical studies are needed that contrast multiple plant populations in disturbed versus undisturbed habitats, and by increasing the taxonomic groups, such as herbs and annual plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ara Miguel-Peñaloza
- Instituto de Ecología A.C., Red de Diversidad Biológica del Occidente Mexicano, Centro Regional del Bajío, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán 61600, Mexico
| | - Carlos A Cultid-Medina
- Instituto de Ecología A.C., Red de Diversidad Biológica del Occidente Mexicano, Centro Regional del Bajío, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán 61600, Mexico
- CONAHCYT, Ciudad de México 03940, México
| | - Jessica Pérez-Alquicira
- CONAHCYT, Ciudad de México 03940, México
- Laboratorio Nacional de Identificación y Caracterización Vegetal, Departamento de Botánica y Zoología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco 45200, Mexico
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Ji C, Li HD, Xiao W, Xu K, Ren Y, Li H, Wang P, Fan M, Huang X, Xiao Z. Fine-Scale Interactions between Leopard Cats and Their Potential Prey with Contrasting Diel Activities in a Livestock-Dominated Nature Reserve. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081296. [PMID: 37106859 PMCID: PMC10135257 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat use and the temporal activities of wildlife can be largely modified by livestock encroachment. Therefore, identifying the potential impacts of livestock on the predator-prey interactions could provide essential information for wildlife conservation and management. From May to October 2017, we used camera trapping technology to investigate fine-scale spatiotemporal interactions in a predator-prey system with the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) as a common mesopredator, and its prey with contrasting activity patterns (i.e., nocturnal rats and diurnal squirrels) in a livestock-dominated nature reserve in Northern China. We found that the prey species showed different habitat preferences with the leopard cats. The nocturnal rats had strong positive effects on the site-use of the leopard cats, while the influence of livestock on the diurnal squirrels' site-use changed from strong positive effects to weak effects as the livestock disturbance increased. The temporal overlap between the leopard cats and the nocturnal rats was almost four times that of the leopard cats and the diurnal squirrels, regardless of the livestock disturbance. Our study demonstrated that the fine-scale spatiotemporal use patterns of the leopard cats were consistent and highly correlated with the nocturnal rats under livestock disturbance. We suggest that appropriate restrictions on livestock disturbance should be implemented by reserve managers to reduce the threat to wildlife and achieve multi-species coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengpeng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hai-Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenhong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingfeng Ren
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Hongyun Li
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Mingliang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoqun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhishu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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26
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Tang B, Rocci KS, Lehmann A, Rillig MC. Nitrogen increases soil organic carbon accrual and alters its functionality. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1971-1983. [PMID: 36607159 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) availability has been considered as a critical factor for the cycling and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC), but effects of N enrichment on the SOC pool appear highly variable. Given the complex nature of the SOC pool, recent frameworks suggest that separating this pool into different functional components, for example, particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), is of great importance for understanding and predicting SOC dynamics. Importantly, little is known about how these N-induced changes in SOC components (e.g., changes in the ratios among these fractions) would affect the functionality of the SOC pool, given the differences in nutrient density, resistance to disturbance, and turnover time between POC and MAOC pool. Here, we conducted a global meta-analysis of 803 paired observations from 98 published studies to assess the effect of N addition on these SOC components, and the ratios among these fractions. We found that N addition, on average, significantly increased POC and MAOC pools by 16.4% and 3.7%, respectively. In contrast, both the ratios of MAOC to SOC and MAOC to POC were remarkably decreased by N enrichment (4.1% and 10.1%, respectively). Increases in the POC pool were positively correlated with changes in aboveground plant biomass and with hydrolytic enzymes. However, the positive responses of MAOC to N enrichment were correlated with increases in microbial biomass. Our results suggest that although reactive N deposition could facilitate soil C sequestration to some extent, it might decrease the nutrient density, turnover time, and resistance to disturbance of the SOC pool. Our study provides mechanistic insights into the effects of N enrichment on the SOC pool and its functionality at global scale, which is pivotal for understanding soil C dynamics especially in future scenarios with more frequent and severe perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Tang
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Katherine S Rocci
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Anika Lehmann
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias C Rillig
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
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Li J, Shi X, He X, Li D, Hu Q, Zhang Y, Ran J. Free-ranging livestock affected the spatiotemporal behavior of the endangered snow leopard ( Panthera uncia). Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9992. [PMID: 37091566 PMCID: PMC10115902 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Long recognized as a threat to wildlife, particularly for large carnivores, livestock grazing in protected areas can potentially undermine conservation objectives. The interspecific interactions among livestock, snow leopards (Panthera uncia), and their wild prey in fragile Asian highland ecosystems have been a subject of debate. We strategically deployed 164 camera traps in the Wolong National Nature Reserve to systematically investigate the activities of snow leopards, their primary wild ungulate prey species, and free-ranging livestock. We found that snow leopard habitat use was influenced by both wild prey and livestock. Blue sheep served as the main wild prey that spatially attracted snow leopards and coexisted with yaks while free-ranging yaks significantly restricted snow leopard habitat use both temporally and spatially. This study challenges the conventional understanding that livestock indirectly impacts large carnivores by competing with and displacing wild prey. Our findings highlight that free-ranging yaks within the alpine canyon terrain could directly limit snow leopard habitat use, suggesting a potential risk of grazing in reducing apex predator distribution and jeopardizing their populations. Consequently, managing their coexistence in shared habitats requires a more nuanced approach. Furthermore, our research underscores the importance of further research efforts aimed at enhancing our comprehension of the complex interplay within animal communities and ecosystems. This knowledge will contribute to the development of informed, evidence-based conservation strategies and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco‐Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xiaogang Shi
- Wolong National Nature ReserveAdministration Bureau of Wolong National Nature ReserveWolong Town, Wenchuan CountyAbaChina
| | - Xingcheng He
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco‐Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Dongrui Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco‐Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qiang Hu
- Wolong National Nature ReserveAdministration Bureau of Wolong National Nature ReserveWolong Town, Wenchuan CountyAbaChina
| | - Yanni Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco‐Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jianghong Ran
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco‐Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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28
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Tuomisto HL, Allan SJ, Ellis MJ. Prospective life cycle assessment of a bioprocess design for cultured meat production in hollow fiber bioreactors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158051. [PMID: 35985596 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of cellular agriculture is to use cell-culturing technologies to produce alternatives to agricultural products. Cultured meat is an example of a cellular agriculture product, made by using tissue engineering methods. This study aims to improve the understanding of the potential environmental impacts of cultured meat production by comparing between different bioprocess design scenarios. This was done by carrying out a life cycle assessment (LCA) for a bioprocess system using hollow fiber bioreactors, and utilizing bench-scale experimental data for C2C12 cell proliferation, differentiation and media metabolism. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were used to test the impact of changes in the system design, data sources, and LCA methods on the results to support process design decision making. We compared alternative scenarios to a baseline of C2C12 cells cultured in hollow fiber bioreactors using media consisting of DMEM with serum, for a 16-day proliferation stage and 7-day differentiation stage. The baseline LCA used the average UK electricity mix as the energy source, and heat treatment for wastewater sterilization. The greatest reduction in environmental impacts were achieved with the scenarios using CHO cell metabolism instead of C2C12 cell metabolisim (64-67 % reduction); achieving 128 % cell biomass increase during differentiation instead of no increase (42-56 % reduction); using wind electricity instead of average UK electricity (6-39 % reduction); and adjusting the amino acid use based on experimental data (16-27 % reduction). The use of chemical wastewater treatment instead of heat treatment increased all environmental impacts, except energy demand, by 1-16 %. This study provides valuable insights for the cultured meat field to understand the effects of different process design scenarios on environmental impacts, and therefore provides a framework for deciding where to focus development efforts for improving the environmental performance of the production system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna L Tuomisto
- Future Sustainable Food Systems Research Group, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, P.O. Box 27, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), P.O. Box 4, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Scott J Allan
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training, Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, University of Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY Bath, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY Bath, UK
| | - Marianne J Ellis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY Bath, UK
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29
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Jordan SE, Palmquist KA, Burke IC, Lauenroth WK. Small effects of livestock grazing intensification on diversity, abundance, and composition in a dryland plant community. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2693. [PMID: 35708008 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Livestock grazing is a globally important land use and has the potential to significantly influence plant community structure and ecosystem function, yet several critical knowledge gaps remain on the direction and magnitude of grazing impacts. Furthermore, much of our understanding of the long-term effects on plant community composition and structure are based on grazer exclusion experiments, which explicitly avoid characterizing effects along grazing intensity gradients. We sampled big sagebrush plant communities using 68 plots located along grazing intensity gradients to determine how grazing intensity influences multiple aspects of plant community structure over time. This was accomplished by sampling plant communities at different distances from 17 artificial watering sources, using distance from water and cow dung density as proxies for grazing intensity at individual plots. Total vegetation cover and total grass cover were negatively related to grazing intensity, and cover of annual forbs, exotic cover, and exotic richness were positively related to grazing intensity. In contrast, species richness and composition, bunchgrass biomass, shrub density and size, percentage cover of bare ground, litter, and biological soil crusts did not vary along our grazing intensity gradients, in spite of our expectations to the contrary. Our results suggest that the effects of livestock grazing over multiple decades (mean = 46 years) in our sites are relatively small, especially for native perennial species, and that the big sagebrush plant communities we sampled are somewhat resistant to livestock grazing. Collectively, our findings are consistent with existing evidence that indicates the stability of the big sagebrush plant functional type composition under current grazing management regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E Jordan
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kyle A Palmquist
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA
| | - Ingrid C Burke
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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30
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Garcés-Pastor S, Coissac E, Lavergne S, Schwörer C, Theurillat JP, Heintzman PD, Wangensteen OS, Tinner W, Rey F, Heer M, Rutzer A, Walsh K, Lammers Y, Brown AG, Goslar T, Rijal DP, Karger DN, Pellissier L, Heiri O, Alsos IG. High resolution ancient sedimentary DNA shows that alpine plant diversity is associated with human land use and climate change. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6559. [PMID: 36333301 PMCID: PMC9636257 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34010-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The European Alps are highly rich in species, but their future may be threatened by ongoing changes in human land use and climate. Here, we reconstructed vegetation, temperature, human impact and livestock over the past ~12,000 years from Lake Sulsseewli, based on sedimentary ancient plant and mammal DNA, pollen, spores, chironomids, and microcharcoal. We assembled a highly-complete local DNA reference library (PhyloAlps, 3923 plant taxa), and used this to obtain an exceptionally rich sedaDNA record of 366 plant taxa. Vegetation mainly responded to climate during the early Holocene, while human activity had an additional influence on vegetation from 6 ka onwards. Land-use shifted from episodic grazing during the Neolithic and Bronze Age to agropastoralism in the Middle Ages. Associated human deforestation allowed the coexistence of plant species typically found at different elevational belts, leading to levels of plant richness that characterise the current high diversity of this region. Our findings indicate a positive association between low intensity agropastoral activities and precipitation with the maintenance of the unique subalpine and alpine plant diversity of the European Alps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Garcés-Pastor
- grid.10919.300000000122595234The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Eric Coissac
- grid.462909.00000 0004 0609 8934Université Grenoble-Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000 Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes France
| | - Sébastien Lavergne
- grid.462909.00000 0004 0609 8934Université Grenoble-Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000 Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes France
| | - Christoph Schwörer
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Palaeoecology, Institute of Plant Sciences & Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Paul Theurillat
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Fondation Aubert, 1938 Champex-Lac, Switzerland, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 1292 Chambésy, Switzerland
| | - Peter D. Heintzman
- grid.10919.300000000122595234The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Owen S. Wangensteen
- grid.10919.300000000122595234Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBIO), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
| | - Willy Tinner
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Palaeoecology, Institute of Plant Sciences & Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Rey
- grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martina Heer
- grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Astrid Rutzer
- grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Walsh
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, 11 YO1 7EP UK
| | - Youri Lammers
- grid.10919.300000000122595234The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Antony G. Brown
- grid.10919.300000000122595234The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Tomasz Goslar
- grid.5633.30000 0001 2097 3545Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-680 Poznań, Poland
| | - Dilli P. Rijal
- grid.10919.300000000122595234The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Dirk N. Karger
- grid.419754.a0000 0001 2259 5533Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Pellissier
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Department of Environmental System Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland ,grid.419754.a0000 0001 2259 5533Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Oliver Heiri
- grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Inger Greve Alsos
- grid.10919.300000000122595234The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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31
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Germino MJ, Kluender CR, Anthony CR. Plant community trajectories following livestock exclusion for conservation vary and hinge on initial invasion and soil‐biocrust conditions in shrub steppe. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Germino
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - Chad R. Kluender
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
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32
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Eskelinen A, Harpole WS, Jessen MT, Virtanen R, Hautier Y. Light competition drives herbivore and nutrient effects on plant diversity. Nature 2022; 611:301-305. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05383-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEnrichment of nutrients and loss of herbivores are assumed to cause a loss of plant diversity in grassland ecosystems because they increase plant cover, which leads to a decrease of light in the understory1–3. Empirical tests of the role of competition for light in natural systems are based on indirect evidence, and have been a topic of debate for the last 40 years. Here we show that experimentally restoring light to understory plants in a natural grassland mitigates the loss of plant diversity that is caused by either nutrient enrichment or the absence of mammalian herbivores. The initial effect of light addition on restoring diversity under fertilization was transitory and outweighed by the greater effect of herbivory on light levels, indicating that herbivory is a major factor that controls diversity, partly through light. Our results provide direct experimental evidence, in a natural system, that competition for light is a key mechanism that contributes to the loss of biodiversity after cessation of mammalian herbivory. Our findings also show that the effects of herbivores can outpace the effects of fertilization on competition for light. Management practices that target maintaining grazing by native or domestic herbivores could therefore have applications in protecting biodiversity in grassland ecosystems, because they alleviate competition for light in the understory.
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33
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Li X, Zhang Z, Lü X, Li Y, Jin K, van der Putten WH. Soil aggregate microbiomes steer plant community overyielding in ungrazed and intensively grazed grassland soils. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 321:115919. [PMID: 36001914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant and soil microbial community composition play a central role in maintaining ecosystem functioning. Most studies have focused on soil microbes in the bulk soil, the rhizosphere and inside plant roots, however, less is known about the soil community that exists within soil aggregates, and how these soil communities influence plant biomass production. Here, using field-conditioned soil collected from experimental ungrazed and grazed grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China, we examined the composition of microbiomes inside soil aggregates of various size classes, and determined their roles in plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs), diversity-productivity relationships, and diversity-dependent overyielding. We found that grazing induced significantly positive PSF effects, which appeared to be mediated by mycorrhizal fungi, particularly under plant monocultures. Despite this, non-additive effects of microbiomes within different soil aggregates enhanced the strength of PSF under ungrazed grassland, but decreased PSF strength under intensively grazed grassland. Plant mixture-related increases in PSF effects markedly enhanced diversity-dependent overyielding, primarily due to complementary effects. Selection effects played far less of a role. Our work suggests that PSF contributes to diversity-dependent overyielding in grasslands via non-additive effects of microbiomes within different soil aggregates. The implication of our work is that assessing the effectiveness of sustainable grassland restoration and management on soil properties requires inspection of soil aggregate size-specific microbiomes, as these are relevant determinants of the feedback interactions between soil and plant performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiliang Li
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology and Restoration, Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China; Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, 6700AB, the Netherlands
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology and Restoration, Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Xiaotao Lü
- Erguna Forest-Steppe Ecotone Research Station, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Yuanheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology and Restoration, Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China.
| | - Ke Jin
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology and Restoration, Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Wim H van der Putten
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, 6700AB, the Netherlands; Department of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6700 ES, the Netherlands
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34
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Wei W, Zhang Y, Tang Z, An S, Zhen Q, Qin M, He J, Oosthuizen MK. Suitable grazing during the regrowth period promotes plant diversity in winter pastures in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.991967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vegetation is a crucial component of any ecosystem and to preserve the health and stability of grassland ecosystems, species diversity is important. The primary form of grassland use globally is livestock grazing, hence many studies focus on how plant diversity is affected by the grazing intensity, differential use of grazing time and livestock species. Nevertheless, the impact of the grazing time on plant diversity remains largely unexplored. We performed a field survey on the winter pastures in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) to examine the effects of grazing time on the vegetation traits. Livestock species, grazing stocking rates and the initiation time of the grazing were similar, but termination times of the grazing differed. The grazing termination time has a significant effect on most of the vegetation traits in the winter pastures. The vegetation height, above-ground biomass, and the Graminoids biomass was negatively related to the grazing termination time in the winter pastures. In contrast, vegetation cover and plant diversity initially increased and subsequently decreased again as the grazing termination time was extended. An extension of the grazing time did not have any effect on the biomass of forbs. Our study is the first to investigate the effects of grazing during the regrowth period on vegetation traits and imply that the plant diversity is mediated by the grazing termination time during the regrowth period in winter pastures. These findings could be used to improve the guidelines for livestock grazing management and policies of summer and winter pasture grazing of family pastures on the QTP from the perspective of plant diversity protection.
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35
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Beckett K, Elle E, Kremen C, Sherwood A, McComb S, Martin TG. Hyperabundant black-tailed deer impact endangered Garry oak ecosystem floral and bumblebee communities. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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36
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Chapron G. A conservation policy as a conservation threat. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Chapron
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
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37
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Chen Y, Wang X, Zheng X, Gong Y, Chen M, Qiu L, Zhou H, Wei W, Han H. Space use and microhabitat selection of wild giant pandas in Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve, China. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1000841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a special rare and endangered species in China and is the flagship species for global biodiversity conservation. This study used different methods including Kernel density, statistical analysis, and logistic regression analysis to investigated the spatial distribution, migration in different seasons and different distribution areas, as well as the foraging patch selection strategies of wild giant pandas in Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve in the Liangshan Mountains. The results demonstrated that, in the study area, giant pandas were mainly distributed in the Wahei-Yizi Yakou Habitat Corridor with an activity area of 144.93 km2, which accounted for 28.59% of the whole reserve. The core distribution area of the species was 92.07 km2 and the population density was 0.24 pcs km–2. There were two significant seasonal domains for the activities of giant pandas: the low-altitude winter habitat of Yushania maculata Yi and Yushania ailuropodina Yi bamboo species, as well as the high-altitude summer habitat of Bashania fangiana species. With seasonal changes, giant pandas migrated among different bamboo distribution regions. Giant pandas were mainly distributed in high-altitude areas that had secondary forest, tall trees with a large diameter at breast height (DBH) and bamboo forest. The spatial distribution pattern and microhabitat selection of giant pandas in Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve were determined. The findings of this study provide scientific implications for the local conservation and management of the habitat of wild giant pandas.
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Hingee KL, Lindenmayer DB, Florance D, Siegrist A. A bird occupancy estimator for land practitioners in the
NSW
South Western Slopes bioregion. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Piipponen J, Jalava M, de Leeuw J, Rizayeva A, Godde C, Cramer G, Herrero M, Kummu M. Global trends in grassland carrying capacity and relative stocking density of livestock. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:3902-3919. [PMID: 35320616 PMCID: PMC9321565 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Although the role of livestock in future food systems is debated, animal proteins are unlikely to completely disappear from our diet. Grasslands are a key source of primary productivity for livestock, and feed-food competition is often limited on such land. Previous research on the potential for sustainable grazing has focused on restricted geographical areas or does not consider inter-annual changes in grazing opportunities. Here, we developed a robust method to estimate trends and interannual variability (IV) in global livestock carrying capacity (number of grazing animals a piece of land can support) over 2001-2015, as well as relative stocking density (the reported livestock distribution relative to the estimated carrying capacity [CC]) in 2010. We first estimated the aboveground biomass that is available for grazers on global grasslands based on the MODIS Net Primary Production product. This was then used to calculate livestock carrying capacities using slopes, forest cover, and animal forage requirements as restrictions. We found that globally, CC decreased on 27% of total grasslands area, mostly in Europe and southeastern Brazil, while it increased on 15% of grasslands, particularly in Sudano-Sahel and some parts of South America. In 2010, livestock forage requirements exceeded forage availability in northwestern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. Although our findings imply some opportunities to increase grazing pressures in cold regions, Central Africa, and Australia, the high IV or low biomass supply might prevent considerable increases in stocking densities. The approach and derived open access data sets can feed into global food system modelling, support conservation efforts to reduce land degradation associated with overgrazing, and help identify undergrazed areas for targeted sustainable intensification efforts or rewilding purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mika Jalava
- Water and Development Research GroupAalto UniversityEspooFinland
| | - Jan de Leeuw
- Department of BioecologyBaku State UniversityBakuAzerbaijan
| | - Afag Rizayeva
- Department of BioecologyBaku State UniversityBakuAzerbaijan
- SILVIS LabDepartment of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Cecile Godde
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Agriculture and FoodSt LuciaQLDAustralia
| | - Gabriel Cramer
- Water and Development Research GroupAalto UniversityEspooFinland
| | - Mario Herrero
- Department of Global DevelopmentCollege of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Cornell Atkinson Center for SustainabilityCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Matti Kummu
- Water and Development Research GroupAalto UniversityEspooFinland
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A global inventory of animal diversity measured in different grazing treatments. Sci Data 2022; 9:209. [PMID: 35577900 PMCID: PMC9110395 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Grazing by wild and domesticated grazers occurs within many terrestrial ecosystems worldwide, with positive and negative impacts on biodiversity. Management of grazed lands in support of biological conservation could benefit from a compiled dataset of animal biodiversity within and adjacent to grazed sites. In this database, we have assembled data from the peer-reviewed literature that included all forms of grazing, co-occurring species, and site information. We reviewed 3,489 published articles and found 245 studies in 41 countries that surveyed animal biodiversity co-occurring with grazers. We extracted 16,105 observations of animal surveys for over 1,200 species in all terrestrial ecosystems and on all continents except Antarctica. We then compiled 28 different grazing variables that focus on management systems, assemblages of grazer species, ecosystem characteristics, and survey type. Our database provides the most comprehensive summary of animal biodiversity patterns that co-occur with wild and domesticated grazers. This database could be used in future conservation initiatives and grazing management to enhance the prolonged maintenance of ecosystems and ecosystem services. Measurement(s) | Kingdom • Phylum • Class • Order • Taxon • Family • Genus • Species • Year of observation • Survey time period • Grazing estimate • Grazing species • Grazer domestication • Last grazing event • Latitude • Longitude • Elevation • Country • Number of sites • Survey technique • Survey type • Presence of wild grazers • Presence of domesticated grazers • Plant community • Ecosystem class • Fence presence • Tilled status • Herbivores present • Fertilization • Fire history • Land ownership • Year of study initiation • Year of study finished | Technology Type(s) | Data extraction | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Vertebrate • Invertebrate • Plants • Fungi | Sample Characteristic - Environment | Grassland ecosystem • Forest ecosystem • Shrubland ecosystem • Wetland ecosystem • Desert ecosystem • Tundra ecosystem • Coastal ecosystem | Sample Characteristic - Location | Argentina • Australia • Austria • Canada • China • Kingdom of Denmark • England • Ethiopia • Finland • French Republic • Germany • Hong Kong • Hungary • India • Iran • Ireland • Israel • Italy • Kazakhstan • Kenya • Lesotho • Mongolia • Kingdom of the Netherlands • New Zealand • Kingdom of Norway • Poland • Portuguese Republic • Romania • Scotland • Senegal • Republic of South Africa • Kingdom of Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Tanzania • Tunisia • Uganda • United Kingdom • United States of America |
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Fox-Rosales LA, de Oliveira TG. Habitat use patterns and conservation of small carnivores in a human-dominated landscape of the semiarid Caatinga in Brazil. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00245-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Boyce AJ, Shamon H, McShea WJ. Bison Reintroduction to Mixed-Grass Prairie Is Associated With Increases in Bird Diversity and Cervid Occupancy in Riparian Areas. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.821822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In grassland ecosystems, grazing by large herbivores is a highly influential process that affects biodiversity by modifying the vegetative environment through selective consumption. Here, we test whether restoration of bison is associated with increased bird diversity and cervid occupancy in networks of riparian habitat within a temperate grassland ecosystem, mixed-grass prairie in northcentral Montana, United States. We used a long time-series of remote sensing imagery to examine changes in riparian vegetation structure in stream networks within bison and cattle pastures. We then assessed how vegetation structure influenced diversity of bird communities and detection rates of mammals in these same riparian networks. We found that percent cover of woody vegetation, and native grasses and forbs increased more rapidly over time in bison pastures, and that these changes in vegetation structure were associated with increased bird diversity and cervid occupancy. In conclusion, bison reintroduction appears to function as a passive riparian restoration strategy with positive diversity outcomes for birds and mammals.
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Kindvall O, Franzén M, Askling J, Forsman A, Johansson V. Subsidized Common Agricultural Policy grazing jeopardizes the protection of biodiversity and Natura 2000 targeted species. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - M. Franzén
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science Linnaeus University Kalmar Sweden
| | | | - A. Forsman
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science Linnaeus University Kalmar Sweden
| | - V. Johansson
- Calluna AB Linköping Sweden
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) Linköping University Linköping Sweden
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45
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Homage to Reptiles and Amphibians as Model Systems: One Ecologist's View. J HERPETOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1670/21-020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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46
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Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Increasing Illegal Livestock Grazing over Three Decades at Moyowosi Kigosi Game Reserve, Tanzania. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10121325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The global increase of livestock has caused illegal intrusion of livestock into protected areas. Until now, hotspot areas of illegal grazing have rarely been mapped, long-term monitoring data are missing, and little is known about the drivers of illegal grazing. We localized hotspots of illegal grazing and identified factors that influenced spatio-temporal patterns of illegal grazing over three decades in the Moyowosi Kigosi Game Reserve (MKGR), Tanzania. We used questionnaires with local pastoralists (N = 159), georeferenced aerial survey data and ranger reports from 1990–2019 to understand the reasons for illegal grazing in the area. We found that hotspots of illegal grazing occurred initially within 0–20 km of the boundary (H (3) = 137, p < 0.001; (H (3) = 32, p < 0.001) and encroached further into the protected area with time (H (3) = 11.3, p = 0.010); (H (2) = 59.0, p < 0.001). Further, livestock herd sizes decreased with increasing distance from the boundary (R = −0.20, p = 0.020; R = −0.40, p = 0.010). Most interviewees (81%) claimed that they face challenges of reduced foraging land in the wet season, caused by increasing land used for cultivation, which drives them into the MKGR to feed their livestock. We conclude that there is spatio-temporal consistency in the illegal livestock intrusion over three decades, and hotspot areas are located along the boundary of the MKGR. We suggest focusing patrols at these hotspot areas, especially during the wet season, to use limited law enforcement resources effectively.
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47
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Li BV, Jiang B. Responses of forest structure, functions, and biodiversity to livestock disturbances: A global meta-analysis. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:4745-4757. [PMID: 34322964 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Habitat degradation and land-use change driven by the livestock sector are among the major causes of global biodiversity loss. Forests are crucial in maintaining biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Apart from continuing deforestation, forests also face increasing pressure from livestock grazing in the system, which is less understood compared to grasslands. Through a meta-analysis of 156 articles with 1936 data entries, this study assesses the effect of livestock on forest biodiversity, structure, and functions, varying with livestock types, livestock density, grazing history, and climatic factors. Our results show that livestock overall had a negative impact on the forest structure and functions, reduced species abundance but increased richness. Medium and large mammals, plant communities, and soil were more negatively affected compared to other groups such as birds and invertebrates. Livestock also influenced the role of forests in mitigating climate change. They changed forest carbon stock by reducing plant biomass; however, they did not significantly impact the soil carbon stock or soil greenhouse gas emissions. Ecosystem attributes were more affected in warmer and drier regions and by single species grazing than the mixed grazing. Past livestock grazing history moderates the impacts of livestock, with the strongest negative effect occurred with a history of 1-5 years. Nonetheless, livestock activities also had a positive impact on forest management, such as reducing forest flammability. Our results also indicate the lack of studies on how higher trophic levels respond to livestock disturbances and how grazing intensity moderates the effect, which includes grazing duration and livestock density. The complex responses of forests to livestock in different conditions call for more adaptive management depending on the conservation targets and evolution history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin V Li
- Environmental Research Centre, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bingkun Jiang
- Environmental Research Centre, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
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48
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Liang M, Liang C, Hautier Y, Wilcox KR, Wang S. Grazing-induced biodiversity loss impairs grassland ecosystem stability at multiple scales. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:2054-2064. [PMID: 34319652 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Livestock grazing is a major driver shaping grassland biodiversity, functioning and stability. Whether grazing impacts on grassland ecosystems are scale-dependent remains unclear. Here, we conducted a sheep-grazing experiment in a temperate grassland to test grazing effects on the temporal stability of productivity across scales. We found that grazing increased species stability but substantially decreased local community stability due to reduced asynchronous dynamics among species within communities. The negative effect of grazing on local community stability propagated to reduce stability at larger spatial scales. By decreasing biodiversity both within and across communities, grazing reduced biological insurance effects and hence the upscaling of stability from species to communities and further to larger spatial scales. Our study provides the first evidence for the scale dependence of grazing effects on grassland stability through biodiversity. We suggest that ecosystem management should strive to maintain biodiversity across scales to achieve sustainability of grassland ecosystem functions and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maowei Liang
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Science, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Ecology and Resources Use of the Mongolian Plateau, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Cunzhu Liang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Ecology and Resources Use of the Mongolian Plateau, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yann Hautier
- Ecology and Biodiversity Group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin R Wilcox
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Science, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
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49
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Filazzola A, Cahill JF. Replication in field ecology: Identifying challenges and proposing solutions. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Filazzola
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Toronto Scarborough Toronto ON Canada
| | - James F. Cahill
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
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50
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Le Provost G, Thiele J, Westphal C, Penone C, Allan E, Neyret M, van der Plas F, Ayasse M, Bardgett RD, Birkhofer K, Boch S, Bonkowski M, Buscot F, Feldhaar H, Gaulton R, Goldmann K, Gossner MM, Klaus VH, Kleinebecker T, Krauss J, Renner S, Scherreiks P, Sikorski J, Baulechner D, Blüthgen N, Bolliger R, Börschig C, Busch V, Chisté M, Fiore-Donno AM, Fischer M, Arndt H, Hoelzel N, John K, Jung K, Lange M, Marzini C, Overmann J, Paŝalić E, Perović DJ, Prati D, Schäfer D, Schöning I, Schrumpf M, Sonnemann I, Steffan-Dewenter I, Tschapka M, Türke M, Vogt J, Wehner K, Weiner C, Weisser W, Wells K, Werner M, Wolters V, Wubet T, Wurst S, Zaitsev AS, Manning P. Contrasting responses of above- and belowground diversity to multiple components of land-use intensity. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3918. [PMID: 34168127 PMCID: PMC8225671 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23931-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Land-use intensification is a major driver of biodiversity loss. However, understanding how different components of land use drive biodiversity loss requires the investigation of multiple trophic levels across spatial scales. Using data from 150 agricultural grasslands in central Europe, we assess the influence of multiple components of local- and landscape-level land use on more than 4,000 above- and belowground taxa, spanning 20 trophic groups. Plot-level land-use intensity is strongly and negatively associated with aboveground trophic groups, but positively or not associated with belowground trophic groups. Meanwhile, both above- and belowground trophic groups respond to landscape-level land use, but to different drivers: aboveground diversity of grasslands is promoted by diverse surrounding land-cover, while belowground diversity is positively related to a high permanent forest cover in the surrounding landscape. These results highlight a role of landscape-level land use in shaping belowground communities, and suggest that revised agroecosystem management strategies are needed to conserve whole-ecosystem biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëtane Le Provost
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBIK-F), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Jan Thiele
- Thünen Institute of Biodiversity, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Catrin Westphal
- Functional Agrobiodiversity, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Caterina Penone
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eric Allan
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Margot Neyret
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBIK-F), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Fons van der Plas
- Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservations Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Richard D Bardgett
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Klaus Birkhofer
- Department of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Steffen Boch
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, WSL Swiss Federal Research Institute, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bonkowski
- Institute of Zoology, Terrestrial Ecology, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Francois Buscot
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Soil Ecology, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heike Feldhaar
- Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bayreuth Center for Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Rachel Gaulton
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Kezia Goldmann
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Soil Ecology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin M Gossner
- Forest Entomology, WSL Swiss Federal Research Institute, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Universitätstr. 16, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Valentin H Klaus
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Universitätstr. 2, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Till Kleinebecker
- Department of Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Jochen Krauss
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Swen Renner
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservations Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Ornithology, Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Johannes Sikorski
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dennis Baulechner
- Department of Animal Ecology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks, Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ralph Bolliger
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Börschig
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Verena Busch
- Department of Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Melanie Chisté
- Ecological Networks, Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Markus Fischer
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBIK-F), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hartmut Arndt
- Institute of Zoology, General Ecology, University of Cologne, Köln (Cologne), Germany
| | - Norbert Hoelzel
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Katharina John
- Ecological Networks, Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Kirsten Jung
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Markus Lange
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Carlo Marzini
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Esther Paŝalić
- Institute of Ecology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - David J Perović
- DPI Agriculture, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australian Cotton Research Institute, Narrabri, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel Prati
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Schäfer
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ingo Schöning
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Ilja Sonnemann
- Institute of Biology, Functional Biodiversity, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marco Tschapka
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservations Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Manfred Türke
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juliane Vogt
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Katja Wehner
- Ecological Networks, Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christiane Weiner
- Ecological Networks, Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weisser
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Konstans Wells
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Michael Werner
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Volkmar Wolters
- Department of Animal Ecology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tesfaye Wubet
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Susanne Wurst
- Institute of Biology, Functional Biodiversity, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrey S Zaitsev
- Department of Animal Ecology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Peter Manning
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBIK-F), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt, Germany
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