1
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Dundas SJ, Osborne L, Hopkins AJM, Ruthrof KX, Fleming PA. Bioturbation by echidna (. AUST J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/zo22019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Bioturbation by digging animals is important for key forest ecosystem processes such as soil turnover, decomposition, nutrient cycling, water infiltration, seedling recruitment, and fungal dispersal. Despite their widespread geographic range, little is known about the role of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) in forest ecosystems. We measured the density and size of echidna diggings in the Northern Jarrah Forest, south-western Australia, to quantify the contribution echidna make to soil turnover. We recorded an overall density of 298 echidna diggings per hectare, 21% of which were estimated to be less than 1 month old. The average size of digs was 50 ± 25 mm in depth and 160 ± 61 mm in length. After taking into account seasonal digging rates, we estimated that echidnas turn over 1.23 tonnes of soil ha−1 year−1 in this forest, representing an important role in ecosystem dynamics. Our work contributes to the growing body of evidence quantifying the role of these digging animals as critical ecosystem engineers. Given that the echidna is the only Australian digging mammal not severely impacted by population decline or range reduction, its functional contribution to health and resilience of forest ecosystems is increasingly important due to the functional loss of most Australian digging mammals.
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Florent P, Cauchie HM, Herold M, Jacquet S, Ogorzaly L. Soil pH, Calcium Content and Bacteria as Major Factors Responsible for the Distribution of the Known Fraction of the DNA Bacteriophage Populations in Soils of Luxembourg. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071458. [PMID: 35889177 PMCID: PMC9321959 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages participate in soil life by influencing bacterial community structure and function, biogeochemical cycling and horizontal gene transfer. Despite their great abundance, diversity, and importance in microbial processes, they remain little explored in environmental studies. The influence of abiotic factors on the persistence of bacteriophages is now recognized; however, it has been mainly studied under experimental conditions. This study aimed to determine whether the abiotic factors well-known to influence bacteriophage persistence also control the natural distribution of the known DNA bacteriophage populations. To this end, soil from eight study sites including forests and grasslands located in the Attert River basin (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) were sampled, covering different soil and land cover characteristics. Shotgun metagenomics, reference-based bioinformatics and statistical analyses allowed characterising the diversity of known DNA bacteriophage and bacterial communities. After combining soil properties with the identified DNA bacteriophage populations, our in-situ study highlighted the influence of pH and calcium cations on the diversity of the known fraction of the soil DNA bacteriophages. More interestingly, significant relationships were established between bacteriophage and bacterial populations. This study provides new insights into the importance of abiotic and biotic factors in the distribution of DNA bacteriophages and the natural ecology of terrestrial bacteriophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Florent
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department (ERIN), Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg; (P.F.); (H.-M.C.); (M.H.)
- Faculté des Sciences, de la Technologie et de la Communication (FSTC), Doctoral School in Science and Engineering (DSSE), University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Henry-Michel Cauchie
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department (ERIN), Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg; (P.F.); (H.-M.C.); (M.H.)
| | - Malte Herold
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department (ERIN), Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg; (P.F.); (H.-M.C.); (M.H.)
| | - Stéphan Jacquet
- INRAE, UMR CARRTEL, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, 74200 Thonon-les-Bains, France;
| | - Leslie Ogorzaly
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department (ERIN), Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg; (P.F.); (H.-M.C.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +352-2758885-5069
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3
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Potapov AM, Beaulieu F, Birkhofer K, Bluhm SL, Degtyarev MI, Devetter M, Goncharov AA, Gongalsky KB, Klarner B, Korobushkin DI, Liebke DF, Maraun M, Mc Donnell RJ, Pollierer MM, Schaefer I, Shrubovych J, Semenyuk II, Sendra A, Tuma J, Tůmová M, Vassilieva AB, Chen T, Geisen S, Schmidt O, Tiunov AV, Scheu S. Feeding habits and multifunctional classification of soil‐associated consumers from protists to vertebrates. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1057-1117. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anton M. Potapov
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology University of Göttingen Untere Karspüle 2 37073 Göttingen Germany
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Prospect 33 119071 Moscow Russia
| | - Frédéric Beaulieu
- Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada Ottawa ON K1A 0C6 Canada
| | - Klaus Birkhofer
- Department of Ecology Brandenburg University of Technology Karl‐Wachsmann‐Allee 6 03046 Cottbus Germany
| | - Sarah L. Bluhm
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology University of Göttingen Untere Karspüle 2 37073 Göttingen Germany
| | - Maxim I. Degtyarev
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Prospect 33 119071 Moscow Russia
| | - Miloslav Devetter
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology Na Sádkách 702/7 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Anton A. Goncharov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Prospect 33 119071 Moscow Russia
| | - Konstantin B. Gongalsky
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Prospect 33 119071 Moscow Russia
| | - Bernhard Klarner
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology University of Göttingen Untere Karspüle 2 37073 Göttingen Germany
| | - Daniil I. Korobushkin
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Prospect 33 119071 Moscow Russia
| | - Dana F. Liebke
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology University of Göttingen Untere Karspüle 2 37073 Göttingen Germany
| | - Mark Maraun
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology University of Göttingen Untere Karspüle 2 37073 Göttingen Germany
| | - Rory J. Mc Donnell
- Department of Crop and Soil Science Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 U.S.A
| | - Melanie M. Pollierer
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology University of Göttingen Untere Karspüle 2 37073 Göttingen Germany
| | - Ina Schaefer
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology University of Göttingen Untere Karspüle 2 37073 Göttingen Germany
| | - Julia Shrubovych
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology Na Sádkách 702/7 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals PAS Slawkowska 17 Pl 31‐016 Krakow Poland
- State Museum Natural History of NAS of Ukraine Teatralna 18 79008 Lviv Ukraine
| | - Irina I. Semenyuk
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Prospect 33 119071 Moscow Russia
- Joint Russian‐Vietnamese Tropical Center №3 Street 3 Thang 2, Q10 Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
| | - Alberto Sendra
- Colecciones Entomológicas Torres‐Sala, Servei de Patrimoni Històric, Ajuntament de València València Spain
- Departament de Didàctica de les Cièncias Experimentals i Socials, Facultat de Magisteri Universitat de València València Spain
| | - Jiri Tuma
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology Na Sádkách 702/7 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Entomology Branisovska 1160/31 370 05 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic
| | - Michala Tůmová
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology Na Sádkách 702/7 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Anna B. Vassilieva
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Prospect 33 119071 Moscow Russia
| | - Ting‐Wen Chen
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology Na Sádkách 702/7 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Stefan Geisen
- Department of Nematology Wageningen University & Research 6700ES Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Olaf Schmidt
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Alexei V. Tiunov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Prospect 33 119071 Moscow Russia
| | - Stefan Scheu
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology University of Göttingen Untere Karspüle 2 37073 Göttingen Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use Büsgenweg 1 37077 Göttingen Germany
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Wagner TC, Uiseb K, Fischer C. Rolling pits of Hartmann's mountain zebra ( Zebra equus hartmannae) increase vegetation diversity and landscape heterogeneity in the Pre-Namib. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:13036-13051. [PMID: 34646451 PMCID: PMC8495834 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsites created by soil-disturbing animals are important landscape elements in arid environments. In the Pre-Namib, dust-bathing behavior of the near-endemic Hartmann's mountain zebra creates unique rolling pits that persist in the landscape. However, the ecohydrological characteristics and the effects of those microsites on the vegetation and on organisms of higher trophic levels are still unknown. In our study, we characterized the soil grain size composition and infiltration properties of rolling pits and reference sites and recorded vegetation and arthropod assemblages during the rainy season of five consecutive years with different amounts of seasonal rainfall. We further used the excess green vegetation index derived from drone imagery to demonstrate the different green up and wilting of pits and references after a rainfall event. In contrast to the surrounding grassland, rolling pits had finer soil with higher nutrient content, collected runoff, showed a higher infiltration, and kept soil moisture longer. Vegetation in the rolling pits was denser, dominated by annual forbs and remained green for longer periods. The denser vegetation resulted in a slightly higher activity density of herbivorous arthropods, which in turn increased the activity density of omnivorous and predatory arthropods. In times of drought, the rolling pits could act as safe sites and refuges for forbs and arthropods. With their rolling pits, Hartmann's mountain zebras act as ecosystem engineers, contributing to the diversity of forb communities and heterogeneity of the landscape in the Pre-Namib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C. Wagner
- Restoration EcologySchool of Life SciencesTechnische Universität MünchenFreisingGermany
| | - Kenneth Uiseb
- Directorate of Scientific ServicesNamibia Ministry of Environment, Forestry and TourismWindhoekNamibia
| | - Christina Fischer
- Restoration EcologySchool of Life SciencesTechnische Universität MünchenFreisingGermany
- Faunistics and Wildlife ConservationDepartment of Agriculture, Ecotrophology, and Landscape DevelopmentAnhalt University of Applied SciencesBernburgGermany
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Michael KH, Leonard SWJ, Decker O, Verdon SJ, Gibb H. Testing the effects of ecologically extinct mammals on vegetation in arid Australia: A long‐term experimental approach. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13097] [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)
- Kimberley H. Michael
- Department of Ecology Environment and Evolution and Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Bundoora Victoria 3086 Australia
| | - Steven W. J. Leonard
- Department of Ecology Environment and Evolution and Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Bundoora Victoria 3086 Australia
- Tasmania Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Orsolya Decker
- Department of Ecology Environment and Evolution and Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Bundoora Victoria 3086 Australia
| | - Simon J. Verdon
- Department of Ecology Environment and Evolution and Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Bundoora Victoria 3086 Australia
| | - Heloise Gibb
- Department of Ecology Environment and Evolution and Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Bundoora Victoria 3086 Australia
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Błońska E, Lasota J, Jankowiak R, Michalcewicz J, Wojas T, Zbyryt A, Ciach M. Biological and physicochemical properties of the nests of White Stork Ciconia ciconia reveal soil entirely formed, modified and maintained by birds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:143020. [PMID: 33143925 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The physiological and behavioural activities of animals have far-reaching impacts on the characteristics and functioning of soil. This includes vertebrates, which are capable of modifying the physicochemical and biochemical properties of soil. To date, however, no species is known to be responsible for the entire process of soil formation, modification and maintenance. Large-bodied birds build nests which they then use for several years or even decades. During nest construction or renovation, birds gather and transport to the nesting site organic and mineral matter that includes tree branches of various sizes, twigs, turf, straw and hay. Over time, during subsequent breeding events, adult birds supply further loads of organic matter to the nest, such as food remains, excrement, pellets, feathers, egg shells and other materials. Taking the White Stork Ciconia ciconia as an example, we have shown that the materials deposited in the nests of large-bodied birds gradually produce ornithogenic soils over the years, with distinguishable layers having different physicochemical characteristics and biochemical activities. The tested nesting substrate met the criteria for ornithogenic material; the layers had appropriate thickness and phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) content. Results of the study indicates that the material contained in White Stork nests have the characteristics of Histosols. Moreover, such nests harbour assemblages of fungi and arthropods that contain species typical of soil mycobiota and fauna, respectively. This study is the first to describe a soil that is formed, modified and maintained entirely by vertebrates and is physically isolated from the ground. Our results highlight the fact that the nests of large birds are unique structures in ecosystems and provide a habitat for a rich and diverse assemblage of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Błońska
- Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
| | - Jarosław Lasota
- Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
| | - Robert Jankowiak
- Department of Forest Ecosystems Protection, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
| | - Jakub Michalcewicz
- Department of Forest Ecosystems Protection, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Wojas
- Department of Forest Ecosystems Protection, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
| | - Adam Zbyryt
- The Polish Society for Bird Protection (PTOP), ul. Ciepła 17, 15-471 Białystok, Poland
| | - Michał Ciach
- Department of Forest Biodiversity, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Kraków, Poland.
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Kemp JE, Jensen R, Hall ML, Roshier DA, Kanowski J. Consequences of the reintroduction of regionally extinct mammals for vegetation composition and structure at two established reintroduction sites in semi‐arid Australia. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette E. Kemp
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy PO Box 8070 Subiaco East Western Australia6008Australia
| | - Rigel Jensen
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy PO Box 8070 Subiaco East Western Australia6008Australia
| | - Michelle L. Hall
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy PO Box 8070 Subiaco East Western Australia6008Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia Melbourne VictoriaAustralia
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - David A. Roshier
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy PO Box 8070 Subiaco East Western Australia6008Australia
| | - John Kanowski
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy PO Box 8070 Subiaco East Western Australia6008Australia
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8
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Martin AM, Carver S. Ecology and conservation of the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii): past, present and future. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/am20004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) is an iconic marsupial endemic to Australia, recognised globally for its status as the largest, herbivorous burrowing mammal. Owing to historical challenges, including anthropogenic conflict and environmental threats, the species was pushed to near extinction and was officially classified as Critically Endangered in 1996. Establishing an effective conservation plan is complicated by ongoing and novel threats as well as by aspects of the species’ ecology that remain unstudied due to its neophobic and nocturnal behaviour. To identify areas where additional research is needed, we conducted a comprehensive search of the literature published on the northern hairy-nosed wombat from 1980 to 2019 to identify where knowledge gaps exist and to suggest where future efforts may be focussed. We found that the breeding ecology, in particular, of the northern hairy-nosed wombat is largely unstudied but could be vital in conservation efforts. Further, there is a need to establish additional populations, and several threats – including disease, invasive species, and climate change – may require ongoing management action to ensure the species’ longevity.
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Gibb H, Silvey CJ, Robinson C, L'Hotellier FA, Eldridge DJ. Experimental evidence for ecological cascades following threatened mammal reintroduction. Ecology 2020; 102:e03191. [PMID: 32892373 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Species extinction has reached unprecedented rates globally, and can cause unexpected ecological cascades. Since Europeans arrived in Australia, many endemic mammals have declined or become extinct, but their ecological roles and outcomes of their reintroduction for ecosystems are poorly understood. Using surveys and novel long-term exclusion and disturbance experiments, we tested how digging mammal reintroduction affects predatory invertebrates. Mammal exclusion tended to decrease bare ground. Although scorpion burrow abundance increased with bare ground, mammals also had direct negative effects on scorpions. Increased disturbance alone decreased scorpion abundance, but other mechanisms, such as predation, also contributed to the mammal effect. Despite negative associations between scorpions and spiders, both groups increased and spider composition changed following mammal exclusion. Our long-term research showed that threatened digging mammals drive ecosystem cascades, affecting biota through a variety of pathways. Reintroductions of locally extinct digging mammals can restore ecosystems, but ecosystem cascades may lead to unexpected restructuring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heloise Gibb
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia.,Research Centre for Future Landscapes, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Colin J Silvey
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Chloe Robinson
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | | | - David J Eldridge
- Office of Environment and Heritage, C/O Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
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Kingsford RT, West RS, Pedler RD, Keith DA, Moseby KE, Read JL, Letnic M, Leggett KEA, Ryall SR. Strategic adaptive management planning—Restoring a desert ecosystem by managing introduced species and native herbivores and reintroducing mammals. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richard T. Kingsford
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kensington New South Wales Australia
| | - Rebecca S. West
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kensington New South Wales Australia
| | - Reece D. Pedler
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kensington New South Wales Australia
| | - David A. Keith
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kensington New South Wales Australia
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Parramatta New South Wales Australia
| | - Katherine E. Moseby
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kensington New South Wales Australia
- Ecological Horizons Kimba South Australia Australia
| | - John L. Read
- Ecological Horizons Kimba South Australia Australia
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Mike Letnic
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kensington New South Wales Australia
| | - Keith E. A. Leggett
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kensington New South Wales Australia
| | - Sharon R. Ryall
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kensington New South Wales Australia
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11
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Di Blanco YE, Desbiez ALJ, di Francescantonio D, Di Bitetti MS. Excavations of giant armadillos alter environmental conditions and provide new resources for a range of animals. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y. E. Di Blanco
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) Puerto Iguazú Misiones Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico (CeIBA) Puerto Iguazú Misiones Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales UNaM Eldorado Misiones Argentina
| | - A. L. J. Desbiez
- Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres (ICAS) Campo Grande Mato Grosso do Sul Brasil
- Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Edinburgh UK
| | - D. di Francescantonio
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) Puerto Iguazú Misiones Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico (CeIBA) Puerto Iguazú Misiones Argentina
| | - M. S. Di Bitetti
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) Puerto Iguazú Misiones Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico (CeIBA) Puerto Iguazú Misiones Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales UNaM Eldorado Misiones Argentina
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12
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Foster CN, Banks SC, Cary GJ, Johnson CN, Lindenmayer DB, Valentine LE. Animals as Agents in Fire Regimes. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:346-356. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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13
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Halstead LM, Sutherland DR, Valentine LE, Rendall AR, Coetsee AL, Ritchie EG. Digging up the dirt: Quantifying the effects on soil of a translocated ecosystem engineer. AUSTRAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Halstead
- Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Campus; Geelong Victoria 3125 Australia
| | | | - Leonie E. Valentine
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Western Australia; Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Anthony R. Rendall
- Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Campus; Geelong Victoria 3125 Australia
| | - Amy L. Coetsee
- Wildlife Conservation & Science; Zoos Victoria; Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Euan G. Ritchie
- Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Campus; Geelong Victoria 3125 Australia
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14
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Decker O, Leonard S, Gibb H. Rainfall‐dependent impacts of threatened ecosystem engineers on organic matter cycling. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Orsi Decker
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution School of Life Sciences La Trobe University Melbourne Vic. Australia
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - Steve Leonard
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution School of Life Sciences La Trobe University Melbourne Vic. Australia
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Melbourne Vic. Australia
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Hobart TAS Australia
| | - Heloise Gibb
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution School of Life Sciences La Trobe University Melbourne Vic. Australia
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Melbourne Vic. Australia
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15
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Digging mammal reintroductions reduce termite biomass and alter assemblage composition along an aridity gradient. Oecologia 2019; 191:645-656. [PMID: 31641862 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04517-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Invasions can trigger cascades in ecological communities by altering species interactions. Following the introduction of cats and foxes into Australia, one tenth of Australia's terrestrial mammal species became extinct, due to predation, while many continue to decline. The broader consequences for Australian ecosystems are poorly understood. Soil-dwelling invertebrates are likely to be affected by the loss of fossorial native mammals, which are predators and disturbance agents. Using reintroductions as a model for ecosystems prior to species loss, we tested the hypothesis that mammal reintroduction leads to reduced vegetation cover and altered termite assemblages, including declines in abundance and biomass and changed species composition. We hypothesised that the magnitude of mammal reintroduction effects would diminish with increasing aridity, which affects resource availability. We compared six paired sites inside and outside three reintroduction sanctuaries across an aridity gradient. We sampled termite assemblages using soil trenches and measured habitat availability. Reintroductions were associated with increased bare ground and reduced vegetation, compared with controls. Aridity also had an underlying influence on vegetation cover by limiting water availability. Termite abundance and biomass were lower where mammals were reintroduced and the magnitude of this effect decreased with increasing aridity. Termite abundance was highest under wood, and soil-nesting wood-feeders were most affected inside sanctuaries. Ecological cascades resulting from exotic predator invasions are thus likely to have increased termite biomass and altered termite assemblages, but impacts may be lower in less-productive habitats. Our findings have implications for reserve carrying capacities and understanding of assemblage reconstruction following ecological cascades.
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Ross CE, Munro NT, Barton PS, Evans MJ, Gillen J, Macdonald BCT, McIntyre S, Cunningham SA, Manning AD. Effects of digging by a native and introduced ecosystem engineer on soil physical and chemical properties in temperate grassy woodland. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7506. [PMID: 31497393 PMCID: PMC6710926 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperate grasslands and woodlands are the focus of extensive restoration efforts worldwide. Reintroduction of locally extinct soil-foraging and burrowing animals has been suggested as a means to restore soil function in these ecosystems. Yet little is known about the physical and chemical effects of digging on soil over time and how these effects differ between species of digging animal, vegetation types or ecosystems. We compared foraging pits of a native reintroduced marsupial, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and that of the exotic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We simulated pits of these animals and measured pit dimensions and soil chemical properties over a period of 2 years. We showed that bettong and rabbit pits differed in their morphology and longevity, and that pits had a strong moderating effect on soil surface temperatures. Over 75% of the simulated pits were still visible after 2 years, and bettong pits infilled faster than rabbit pits. Bettong pits reduced diurnal temperature range by up to 25 °C compared to the soil surface. We did not find any effects of digging on soil chemistry that were consistent across vegetation types, between bettong and rabbit pits, and with time since digging, which is contrary to studies conducted in arid biomes. Our findings show that animal foraging pits in temperate ecosystems cause physical alteration of the soil surface and microclimatic conditions rather than nutrient changes often observed in arid areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Ross
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Nicola T Munro
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Maldwyn J Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - John Gillen
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Sue McIntyre
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia.,CSIRO, Black Mountain, ACT, Australia
| | - Saul A Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Adrian D Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
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Munro NT, McIntyre S, Macdonald B, Cunningham SA, Gordon IJ, Cunningham RB, Manning AD. Returning a lost process by reintroducing a locally extinct digging marsupial. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6622. [PMID: 31179166 PMCID: PMC6542348 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), a medium-sized digging marsupial, was reintroduced to a predator-free reserve after 100 years of absence from the Australian mainland. The bettong may have the potential to restore temperate woodlands degraded by a history of livestock grazing, by creating numerous small disturbances by digging. We investigated the digging capacity of the bettong and compared this to extant fauna, to answer the first key question of whether this species could be considered an ecosystem engineer, and ultimately if it has the capacity to restore lost ecological processes. We found that eastern bettongs were frequent diggers and, at a density of 0.3–0.4 animals ha−1, accounted for over half the total foraging pits observed (55%), with echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), birds and feral rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) accounting for the rest. We estimated that the population of bettongs present dug 985 kg of soil per ha per year in our study area. Bettongs dug more where available phosphorus was higher, where there was greater basal area of Acacia spp. and where kangaroo grazing was less. There was no effect on digging of eucalypt stem density or volume of logs on the ground. While bettong digging activity was more frequent under trees, digging also occurred in open grassland, and bettongs were the only species observed to dig in scalds (areas where topsoil has eroded to the B Horizon). These results highlight the potential for bettongs to enhance soil processes in a way not demonstrated by the existing fauna (native birds and echidna), and introduced rabbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola T Munro
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Sue McIntyre
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ben Macdonald
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Saul A Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Iain J Gordon
- Division of Tropical Environments and Societies, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, QLD, Australia.,James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ross B Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Adrian D Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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18
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Lamberto J, Leiner NO. Broad‐headed spiny rats (
Clyomys laticeps
) as ecosystem engineers in the Brazilian savannah. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Lamberto
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - N. O. Leiner
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
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Clark KL, Branch LC, Farrington J. Bioturbation by mammals and fire interact to alter ecosystem-level nutrient dynamics in longleaf pine forests. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201137. [PMID: 30133444 PMCID: PMC6104935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Activities of ecosystem engineers can interact with other disturbances to modulate rates of key processes such as productivity and nutrient cycling. Bioturbation, movement of soil by organisms, is a widespread form of ecosystem engineering in terrestrial ecosystems. We propose that bioturbation by southeastern pocket gophers (Geomys pinetis), an abundant but declining ecosystem engineer in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests, accelerates nutrient dynamics of the forest floor by burying litter and then reduces litter consumption and nitrogen (N) volatilization losses in the presence of fire. We evaluated our hypothesis by measuring how litter burial alters decomposition and N and phosphorus (P) turnover of longleaf pine and turkey oak (Quercus laevis Walt.) litter over four years, and then simulated interactive ecosystem-level effects of litter burial and low-intensity fires on N and P dynamics of the litter layer. In the field, mass loss was over two times greater and N and P were released much more rapidly from litter buried beneath mounds than on the surface of the forest floor. At a measured rate of mound formation covering 2.3 ± 0.6% of the forest floor per year, litter mass and N and P content of the forest floor simulated over an eight-year period were approximately 11% less than amounts in areas without pocket gopher mounds. In contrast to unburied litter, litter beneath mounds is protected from consumption during fires, and as fire interval increased, consumption rates decreased because mounds cover more years of accumulated litter. Our research indicates that bioturbation and burial of litter by pocket gophers accelerates turnover of N and P on the forest floor, and in the presence of fire, conserves N in this ecosystem where productivity is known to be nutrient limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth L. Clark
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, New Lisbon, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Lyn C. Branch
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Farrington
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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20
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Morgan J, Wright J, Whelan J, Clarke M, Coulson G, Lunt I, Stoner J, Varcoe T, Shannon J. What does it take to do successful adaptive management? A case study highlighting Coastal Grassy Woodland restoration at Yanakie Isthmus. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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21
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Coggan NV, Hayward MW, Gibb H. A global database and "state of the field" review of research into ecosystem engineering by land animals. J Anim Ecol 2018; 87:974-994. [PMID: 29488217 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystem engineers have been widely studied for terrestrial systems, but global trends in research encompassing the range of taxa and functions have not previously been synthesised. We reviewed contemporary understanding of engineer fauna in terrestrial habitats and assessed the methods used to document patterns and processes, asking: (a) which species act as ecosystem engineers and with whom do they interact? (b) What are the impacts of ecosystem engineers in terrestrial habitats and how are they distributed? (c) What are the primary methods used to examine engineer effects and how have these developed over time? We considered the strengths, weaknesses and gaps in knowledge related to each of these questions and suggested a conceptual framework to delineate "significant impacts" of engineering interactions for all terrestrial animals. We collected peer-reviewed publications examining ecosystem engineer impacts and created a database of engineer species to assess experimental approaches and any additional covariates that influenced the magnitude of engineer impacts. One hundred and twenty-two species from 28 orders were identified as ecosystem engineers, performing five ecological functions. Burrowing mammals were the most researched group (27%). Half of all studies occurred in dry/arid habitats. Mensurative studies comparing sites with and without engineers (80%) were more common than manipulative studies (20%). These provided a broad framework for predicting engineer impacts upon abundance and species diversity. However, the roles of confounding factors, processes driving these patterns and the consequences of experimentally adjusting variables, such as engineer density, have been neglected. True spatial and temporal replication has also been limited, particularly for emerging studies of engineer reintroductions. Climate change and habitat modification will challenge the roles that engineers play in regulating ecosystems, and these will become important avenues for future research. We recommend future studies include simulation of engineer effects and experimental manipulation of engineer densities to determine the potential for ecological cascades through trophic and engineering pathways due to functional decline. We also recommend improving knowledge of long-term engineering effects and replication of engineer reintroductions across landscapes to better understand how large-scale ecological gradients alter the magnitude of engineering impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole V Coggan
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC., Australia
| | - Matthew W Hayward
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Subiaco East, W.A., Australia.,School of the Environment, Bangor University, Wales, UK
| | - Heloise Gibb
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC., Australia
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22
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Neilly H, Schwarzkopf L. Heavy livestock grazing negatively impacts a marsupial ecosystem engineer. J Zool (1987) 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Neilly
- Centre Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - L. Schwarzkopf
- Centre Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
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23
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Gibb H, Verdon SJ, Weir T, Johansson T, L'Hotellier F, Hayward MW. Testing top‐down and bottom‐up effects on arid zone beetle assemblages following mammal reintroduction. AUSTRAL ECOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heloise Gibb
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution La Trobe University Melbourne 3086 Victoria Australia
| | - Simon J. Verdon
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution La Trobe University Melbourne 3086 Victoria Australia
| | - Tom Weir
- Australian National Insect Collection Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Therese Johansson
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and the Environment Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Umeå Sweden
| | - Felicity L'Hotellier
- Scotia Sanctuary Australian Wildlife Conservancy Wentworth New South Wales Australia
| | - Matthew W. Hayward
- Scotia Sanctuary Australian Wildlife Conservancy Wentworth New South Wales Australia
- Schools of Environment, Natural Resources, Geography, and Biological Science Bangor University Bangor Gwynedd UK
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24
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Mills CH, Gordon CE, Letnic M. Rewilded mammal assemblages reveal the missing ecological functions of granivores. Funct Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte H. Mills
- Centre for Ecosystem ScienceSchool of Biological Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Christopher E. Gordon
- The Centre for Environmental Risk Management of BushfiresUniversity of Wollongong Wollongong Australia
| | - Mike Letnic
- Centre for Ecosystem ScienceSchool of Biological Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
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25
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Eldridge DJ, Delgado‐Baquerizo M, Woodhouse JN, Neilan BA. Contrasting effects of two mammalian soil engineers on microbial communities. AUSTRAL ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Eldridge
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences Centre for Ecosystem Science University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
| | - Manuel Delgado‐Baquerizo
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment Western Sydney University Penrith New South Wales Australia
| | - Jason N. Woodhouse
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences University of NSW Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Brett A. Neilan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences University of NSW Sydney New South Wales Australia
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26
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Valentine LE, Bretz M, Ruthrof KX, Fisher R, Hardy GESJ, Fleming PA. Scratching beneath the surface: Bandicoot bioturbation contributes to ecosystem processes. AUSTRAL ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonie E. Valentine
- School of Plant Biology University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Michael Bretz
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Katinka X. Ruthrof
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Rebecca Fisher
- Australian Institute of Marine Science UWA Oceans Institute Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Giles E. St J. Hardy
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Patricia A. Fleming
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
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27
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Eldridge DJ, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Woodhouse JN, Neilan BA. Mammalian engineers drive soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions across a disturbance gradient. J Anim Ecol 2016; 85:1636-1646. [PMID: 27426226 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The effects of mammalian ecosystem engineers on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions in terrestrial ecosystems are poorly known. Disturbance from livestock has been widely reported to reduce soil function, but disturbance by animals that forage in the soil may partially offset these negative effects of livestock, directly and/or indirectly by shifting the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities. Understanding the role of disturbance from livestock and ecosystem engineers in driving soil microbes and functions is essential for formulating sustainable ecosystem management and conservation policies. We compared soil bacterial community composition and enzyme concentrations within four microsites: foraging pits of two vertebrates, the indigenous short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and the exotic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and surface and subsurface soils along a gradient in grazing-induced disturbance in an arid woodland. Microbial community composition varied little across the disturbance gradient, but there were substantial differences among the four microsites. Echidna pits supported a lower relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Cyanobacteria, but a higher relative abundance of Proteobacteria than rabbit pits and surface microsites. Moreover, these microsite differences varied with disturbance. Rabbit pits had a similar profile to the subsoil or the surface soils under moderate and high, but not low disturbance. Overall, echidna foraging pits had the greatest positive effect on function, assessed as mean enzyme concentrations, but rabbits had the least. The positive effects of echidna foraging on function were indirectly driven via microbial community composition. In particular, increasing activity was positively associated with increasing relative abundance of Proteobacteria, but decreasing Acidobacteria. Our study suggests that soil disturbance by animals may offset, to some degree, the oft-reported negative effects of grazing-induced disturbance on soil function. Further, our results suggest that most of this effect will be derived from echidnas, with little positive effects due to rabbits. Activities that enhance the habitat for echidnas or reduce rabbit populations are likely to have a positive effect on soil function in these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Eldridge
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Jason N Woodhouse
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Brett A Neilan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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28
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Warburton NM, Travouillon KJ. The biology and palaeontology of the Peramelemorphia: a review of current knowledge and future research directions. AUST J ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/zo16003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Bandicoots and bilbies (Marsupialia : Peramelemorphia) represent the dominant omnivorous clade of Australasian marsupials and, as ground-dwelling, small- to medium-sized mammals, have not fared well in the 200 years since European settlement. Unlike large or charismatic marsupial species, the cryptic nature of bandicoots and bilbies tends to keep them out of the public eye, at a time when public interest plays a significant role in conservation efforts. The inconspicuous ‘rat-like’ appearance of many bandicoots and a generalist ecological strategy belie a complex biology of adaptive traits and evolutionary diversity. For a few species these biological traits have enabled them to make use of urban environments. In the main, however, peramelemorphians are facing ongoing pressure from introduced predators and human impacts. Basic biological information for many species, particularly those from New Guinea, is still lacking. In this review, we examine advances in the knowledge of the biology of this group over the past 25 years including anatomical, physiological and ecological studies. We also provide a comprehensive review of the fossil records of bandicoots in order to provide an up-to-date platform for future studies. From this work, it is clear that there is still much to be done regarding the taxonomy and biology of these animals before a more detailed understanding of the evolutionary history of this group can be elucidated.
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29
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McDowell MC, Haouchar D, Aplin KP, Bunce M, Baynes A, Prideaux GJ. Morphological and molecular evidence supports specific recognition of the recently extinctBettongia anhydra(Marsupialia: Macropodidae). J Mammal 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyv006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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30
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Wilson MC, Smith AT. The pika and the watershed: The impact of small mammal poisoning on the ecohydrology of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. AMBIO 2015; 44:16-22. [PMID: 25331028 PMCID: PMC4293360 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-014-0568-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
With approximately 20 % of the world's population living in its downstream watersheds, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is considered "Asia's Water Tower." However, grasslands of the QTP, where most of Asia's great rivers originate, are becoming increasingly degraded, which leads to elevated population densities of a native small mammal, the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). As a result pikas have been characterized as a pest leading to wide-spread poisoning campaigns in an attempt to restore grassland quality. A contrary view is that pikas are a keystone species for biodiversity and that their burrowing activity provides a critical ecosystem service by increasing the infiltration rate of water, hence reducing overland flow. We demonstrate that poisoning plateau pikas significantly reduces infiltration rate of water across the QTP creating the potential for watershed-level impacts. Our results demonstrate the importance of burrowing mammals as ecosystem engineers, particularly with regard to their influence on hydrological functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell C. Wilson
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Box 874501, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501 USA
| | - Andrew T. Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Box 874501, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501 USA
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31
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Clay NA, Donoso DA, Kaspari M. Urine as an important source of sodium increases decomposition in an inland but not coastal tropical forest. Oecologia 2014; 177:571-9. [PMID: 25519175 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3183-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nutrient pulses can profoundly impact ecosystem processes and urine is a frequently deposited source of N and K, and Na. Na is unimportant to plants, but its addition can increase decomposition and change invertebrate community structure in Na-poor tropical forests. Here we used synthetic urine to separate the effects of Na from urine's other nutrients and contrasted their roles in promoting decomposition and detritivore recruitment in both a Na-poor inland Ecuadorian and Na-rich coastal Panamanian tropical forest. After 2 days, invertebrate communities did not vary among +Na, H2O, Urine+Na, and Urine-Na treatments. But after 2 weeks, Ecuador wood, but not cellulose, decomposition was twofold higher on Urine+Na and +Na plots compared to H2O and Urine-Na plots accompanied by >20-fold increases in termite abundance on these plots. Panama, in contrast, showed no effect of Na on decomposition. In both forests, plots fertilized with urine had nearly twofold decrease in detritivores after 2 weeks that was likely a shock effect from ammonification. Moreover, the non-Na nutrients in urine did not enhance decomposition at this time scale. On control plots, Panama had higher decomposition rates for both cellulose and wood than Ecuador, but the addition of Na in Ecuador alleviated these differences. These results support the hypothesis that in Na-poor tropical forests, urine can enhance wood decomposition and generate an important source of heterogeneity in the abundance and activity of brown food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Clay
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, 730 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK, 73019, USA,
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32
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Fleming PA, Anderson H, Prendergast AS, Bretz MR, Valentine LE, Hardy GES. Is the loss of Australian digging mammals contributing to a deterioration in ecosystem function? Mamm Rev 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A. Fleming
- Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health; School of Veterinary and Life Sciences; Murdoch University; Murdoch Perth WA 6150 Australia
| | - Hannah Anderson
- Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health; Murdoch University; Murdoch Perth WA 6150 Australia
| | - Amy S. Prendergast
- School of Animal Biology; The University of Western Australia; Crawley Perth WA 6009 Australia
| | - Michael R. Bretz
- Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health; Murdoch University; Murdoch Perth WA 6150 Australia
| | - Leonie E. Valentine
- Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health; Murdoch University; Murdoch Perth WA 6150 Australia
| | - Giles E. StJ. Hardy
- Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health; Murdoch University; Murdoch Perth WA 6150 Australia
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33
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Root-Bernstein M, Jaksic F. The Chilean Espinal: Restoration for a Sustainable Silvopastoral System. Restor Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Root-Bernstein
- Department of Ecology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Santiago; Chile
| | - Fabián Jaksic
- Department of Ecology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Santiago; Chile
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Chapman TF. Relic bilby (Macrotis lagotis) refuge burrows: assessment of potential contribution to a rangeland restoration program. RANGELAND JOURNAL 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/rj13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In harsh, resource-limited rangelands, plants and other structures, such as animal burrows, can ameliorate extreme microclimate conditions and increase resource availability for other species. The aim of this study was to determine whether relic bilby (Macrotis lagotis) refuge burrows had the potential to contribute to a rangeland restoration program by moderating microclimate and accumulating resources. During the day, the burrows maintained significantly higher relative humidity than control microsites. At night, temperature was significantly higher and humidity was significantly lower in the burrows than the control microsites. Both temperature and humidity were also significantly less variable in the burrows. There was some overlap between burrows and control microsites in soil chemistry, but burrows were significantly higher in soil moisture, pH(CaCl2), exchangeable magnesium, exchangeable potassium, mineral nitrogen, and total cation exchange capacity, and significantly lower in bio-available aluminium. Soils in burrows contained three times more mineral nitrogen, which has been previously shown to increase plant diversity and abundance in the presence of additional moisture. These results suggest the relic bilby burrows could potentially provide more suitable habitats for the establishment and productivity of other species by moderating microclimates, accumulating nutrients and soil moisture, and ameliorating the potentially detrimental effects of bio-available aluminium.
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ROOT-BERNSTEIN MEREDITH, EBENSPERGER LUISA. Meta-analysis of the effects of small mammal disturbances on species diversity, richness and plant biomass. AUSTRAL ECOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02403.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Valentine LE, Anderson H, Hardy GES, Fleming PA. Foraging activity by the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) as a mechanism for soil turnover. AUST J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1071/zo13030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Mammals that forage for food by biopedturbation can alter the biotic and abiotic characteristics of their habitat, influencing ecosystem structure and function. Bandicoots, bilbies, bettongs and potoroos are the primary digging marsupials in Australia, although most of these species have declined throughout their range. This study used a snapshot approach to estimate the soil turnover capacity of the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus, Shaw 1797), a persisting digging Australian marsupial, at Yalgorup National Park, Western Australia. The number of southern brown bandicoots was estimated using mark–recapture techniques. To provide an index of digging activity per animal, we quantified the number of new foraging pits and bandicoot nose pokes across 18 plots within the same area. The amount of soil displaced and physical structure of foraging pits were examined from moulds of 47 fresh foraging pits. We estimated that an individual southern brown bandicoot could create ~45 foraging pits per day, displacing ~10.74 kg of soil, which extrapolates to ~3.9 tonnes of soil each year. The digging activities of the southern brown bandicoots are likely to be a critical component of soil ecosystem processes.
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Bode M, Brennan KEC, Morris K, Burrows N, Hague N. Choosing cost-effective locations for conservation fences in the local landscape. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2012. [DOI: 10.1071/wr11106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Exclosure fences are widely used to reintroduce locally extinct animals. These fences function either as permanent landscape-scale areas free from most predators, or as small-scale temporary acclimatisation areas for newly translocated individuals to be ‘soft released’ into the wider landscape. Existing research can help managers identify the best design for their exclosure fence, but there are currently no methods available to help identify the optimal location for these exclosures in the local landscape (e.g. within a property).
Aims
We outline a flexible decision-support tool that can help managers choose the best location for a proposed exclosure fence. We applied this method to choose the site of a predator-exclusion fence within the proposed Lorna Glen (Matuwa) Conservation Park in the rangelands of central Western Australia.
Methods
The decision was subject to a set of economic, ecological and political constraints that were applied sequentially. The final exclosure fence location, chosen from among those sites that satisfied the constraints, optimised conservation outcomes by maximising the area enclosed.
Key results
From a prohibitively large set of potential exclosure locations, the series of constraints reduced the number of candidates down to 32. When ranked by the total area enclosed, one exclosure location was clearly superior.
Conclusions
By describing the decision-making process explicitly and quantitatively, and systematically considering each of the candidate solutions, our approach identifies an efficient exclosure fence location via a repeatable and transparent process.
Implications
The construction of an exclusion fence is an expensive management option, and therefore needs to convincingly demonstrate a high expected return-on-investment. A systematic approach for choosing the location of an exclosure fence provides managers with a decision that can be justified to funding sources and stakeholders.
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Soil disturbance by vertebrates alters seed predation, movement and germination in an African rain forest. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467411000344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:Biopedturbation, or animal-caused soil disturbance, may be important for development and maintenance of small-scale heterogeneity in ecosystems with the potential to alter seed mortality and recruitment. However, its role in tropical forests has been largely ignored. This study explored effects of vertebrate biopedturbation on seed (1) microsite heterogeneity, (2) predation and (3) germination in a West African rain forest. Exclosure experiments were used to study how biopedturbation altered burial and movements of seeds of four common canopy species. Effect of seed burial on removal by seed predators was also examined. Germination of the dominant canopy species (Raphia palma-pinus) in swamp forest was tested within artificial disturbances mimicking that of a locally common but endangered mammal, the Liberian mongoose (Liberiictis kuhni), which was estimated to turn over the entire forest floor in this habitat in c. 8 mo. Seed exposure to biopedturbation for 20 d (n = 80) led to an overall 6.5-fold increase in small-scale horizontal movement and increased probability of burial (6–52% higher), varying by species. Burial effectively eliminated seed removal for all four species (n = 160) by seed predators over 20 d. Germination of Raphia palma-pinus seeds (n = 100) was enhanced by 17.5% on average over 4 mo in simulated disturbances. Results suggest biopedturbation may be important for seedling recruitment and that loss of species with this functional role could have underappreciated yet important impacts on tropical plant communities.
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