Vegetation type and grazing intensity jointly shape grazing effects on grassland biodiversity

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 8(20), P. 10326 - 10335

Published: Oct. 1, 2018

In the Palaearctic steppe zone, overgrazing was identified as one of key drivers declining grassland biodiversity, which underlines necessity functional evaluation increased grazing pressure on vegetation. We tested following hypotheses: (a) The effect intensity species and diversity is strongly dependent type. (b) magnitude diet selectivity grazers decreases with increasing intensity. (c) Increasing increases evenness subjected grasslands. analyzed vegetation patterns in four types grasslands (Dry alkali short-grass steppes, Dry loess Non-alkali wet Alkali grasslands) along an gradient beef cattle at 73 sites Hungary. Species richness, Shannon diversity, evenness, leaf traits were analyzed. calculated community-weighted means for each single trait, multi-trait divergence all traits. All metrics significantly affected by type, except dry matter content. interaction between type also significant area, richness evenness. An upward trend specific area detected highest scores overgrazed sites, but change dependent. suggests that overall decreased. found not Functional more related to than changes intensity, displayed a high variability. stress one-size-fits-all strategies cannot be recommended actions should fine-tuned least level

Language: Английский

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Integrating functional traits into trophic rewilding science

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(5), P. 936 - 953

Published: April 6, 2024

Abstract Trophic rewilding is gaining rapid momentum as a means of restoration across the world. Advances in research are elucidating wide‐ranging effects trophic and megafauna re‐establishment on ecosystem properties processes including resilience, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, productivity plant richness. A substantial gap remains how affects frequency expression functional traits, key hypothesised avenue by which can affect biodiversity processes. Yet, there extensive literature examining mammal herbivory exclusion traits from we may infer potential reintroductions. Here, synthesise to show multifaceted ways that composition responds mammalian explore these responses modulated density identity herbivores well resource availability, historical contingency. We further interactions quantitative analysis European species. In addition, link broad patterns between invasions predict be able reduce invasive dominance, ecosystems around world transitioning towards novel states, occupied mix native introduced Expanding current herbivore (and their implications for rewilding) beyond species richness measurable help assess quantify were not previously possible. Trait approaches test mechanistic hypotheses top‐down impacts large communities reveal links properties. Synthesis . Given rapid, much‐needed expansion activities world, trait‐based ecology offers pathway generalisable predictions rewilding, particularly context both unique landscape associated with (e.g. scale spatiotemporal variability, dispersal) widely emerging ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Productive Overcompensation of Alpine Meadows in Response to Yak Grazing in the Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: July 12, 2019

Understanding the interaction between large herbivores and pasture production, especially with respect to grazing optimization hypothesis, is critical for management generating theoretical testable predictions. However, hypothesis remains contradictory in alpine meadows on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). In this study, we tested using four yak-grazing intensities (no grazing, light moderate heavy grazing) meadow habitats from 2015 2017. The results indicated that species diversity did not differ significantly among regimes during experimental period. aboveground net primary production (ANPP) under consistently exceeded control enclosures over 3 years, confirming hypothesis. Levels of overcompensation varied grazing-induced plant compensation may only occur short term. enhanced regrowth Poaceae Cyperaceae induced by yak might contribute overall level community. Our strongly support context grazed yaks, emphasizing complex interactions ANPP, other ecological factors QTP. These findings provide new insights development an conservation strategy will help restore fragile ecosystem balance seemingly incompatible requirements animal husbandry.

Language: Английский

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Effects of climate and grazing on the soil organic carbon dynamics of the grasslands in Northern Xinjiang during the past twenty years

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 34, P. e02039 - e02039

Published: Feb. 2, 2022

The soil organic carbon (SOC) of grasslands is a vital component the global cycle. SOC in grassland ecosystems arid and semi-arid regions sensitive to climate change, but dynamic drivers content are still controversial. Grazing main factor affecting contents grasslands; however, response different types grazing intensity remains unclear. Based on Denitrification-Decomposition model field investigations, this study, spatial temporal dynamics its Northern Xinjiang were investigated, various intensities at regional scale. results reveal that increased rate 161.32 kg C ha−1 yr−1 from 2001 2020, distribution varied greatly. There was an increasing trend higher elevations decreasing lower elevations. contributed less dynamics, temperature precipitation dynamics. overall effect negative. responses greatly, with least alpine meadows greatest lowland temperate desert grasslands.

Language: Английский

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Moderate grazing promotes the root biomass in Kobresia meadow on the northern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 9(16), P. 9395 - 9406

Published: July 30, 2019

Grazing is an important modulator of both plant productivity and biodiversity in grassland community, yet how to determine a suitable grazing intensity alpine still controversy. Here, we explore the effects different intensities on biomass species composition, at community level functional group level, examines productivity-species richness relationship under four patterns: no (CK), light (LG), moderate grazing, (MG) heavy (HG), attempt grassland. The results were as follows. total aboveground (AGB) reduced with increasing intensity, response groups was different. AGB sedges legumes increased from MG HG, while forbs sharply grass remained steady. There significant positive between level. In contrast, belowground (BGB) showed unimodal CK peaking (8,297.72 ± 621.29 g/m2). Interestingly, tends allocate more root upper soil layer intensities. Our suggesting that levels disturbance may be optimal management strategy for meadow terms production.

Language: Английский

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Subsidized Common Agricultural Policy grazing jeopardizes the protection of biodiversity and Natura 2000 targeted species

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(5), P. 597 - 607

Published: March 18, 2022

Abstract In Europe, Natura 2000 sites should protect threatened target species and networks of habitats. The management grasslands is often financed by subsidized grazing as part the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). We studied extent CAP for how this affects a butterfly (the marsh fritillary) floral resources. Based on extensive capture‐mark‐release studies from 2 years in >550 ha grid cells 225 km landscape Sweden that includes 15 sites, we compared fritillary occurrence probabilities population densities ungrazed CAP‐grazed Moreover, analyzed nectar resources orchids were affected based plants records 2347 sample plots. estimated proportion habitats within outside sites. total, 10 453 4417 butterflies marked 2017 2019, respectively. cell probability was 1.8 times higher density 2.3 with 2017, corresponding numbers 2019 5.3 higher, number flowering average 6.9 12.3 Roughly, 30% (130 ha) habitat grazed, 97% occurred protected areas, which 111 situated area where species. Alarmingly, show intense yearly grazing, dominant strategy all has devastating consequences other aspects biodiversity. Less management, would benefit biodiversity, requires changes CAP, to allow more flexible payments objectives conservation

Language: Английский

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Ecosystem services under different grazing intensities in typical grasslands in Inner Mongolia and their relationships

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 26, P. e01526 - e01526

Published: March 7, 2021

Grazing, as the main land use of grasslands, is a key factor affecting supply ecosystem services1 (ESs) well relationships between ESs. Using four grazing intensities, including control check, light grazing, moderate and heavy this paper quantified eight ESs, biodiversity, herbage intake, quality (herbage crude protein content), climate regulation (soil organic carbon density), soil mineralization nitrogen, conservation (aboveground biomass), wind prevention sand fixation (belowground erosion prevention(litter in typical grassland areas Inner Mongolia. Structural equation models were used to illustrate impact on ESs through root mean square error was quantify level trade-offs for ES pairs. The results study indicated that intensity (GI) significantly affected all (p < 0.05), except density nitrogen. As GI increased, provisioning services while most regulating decreased, there general trade-off relationship other ones. In order realize maximum benefit minimum pairs, optimal grasslands Mongolia should be 170 (standard sheep units) SSU · d hm−2 y−1 340 y−1. provide decision-making foundation management policies sustainable development Mongolian grasslands.

Language: Английский

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Intensive grazing alters the diversity, composition and structure of plant-pollinator interaction networks in Central European grasslands

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. e0263576 - e0263576

Published: March 11, 2022

Complex socio-economic, political and demographic factors have driven the increased conversion of Europe’s semi-natural grasslands to intensive pastures. This trend is particularly strong in some most biodiverse regions continent, such as Central Eastern Europe. Intensive grazing known decrease species diversity alter composition plant insect communities. Comparatively little known, however, about how influences functional traits related pollination structure plant-pollinator interactions. In traditional hay meadows pastures Europe, we contrasted taxonomic group composition, interactions roles individual networks. We found mostly lower plants insects pastures, well compositional differences among two grassland management types. were dominated by a single with specialized flower that only accessible few pollinator groups. As result, specificity interactions, higher amount resource overlap, more uniform interaction strength network modularity. These findings stand contrast studies which generalized Our results thus highlight importance dominant mediating consequences pasture on could further contribute strategies aimed at mitigating impact

Language: Английский

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Grassland biodiversity response to livestock grazing, productivity, and climate varies across biome components and diversity measurements

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 878, P. 162994 - 162994

Published: March 31, 2023

Language: Английский

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Effects of management complexity on the composition, plant functional dominance relationships and physiognomy of high nature value grasslands

Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 55, P. 1 - 19

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

A significant proportion of Europe’s species-rich grasslands are semi-natural habitats. They have a long history traditional management. Several studies been carried out to conserve them, resulting in the establishment subsidised conservation management schemes. On other hand, many these schemes failed provide locally adaptive solutions maintain diversity and functional status grasslands. In addition, few compared effectiveness different levels complexity. The complexity our study based on how types (e.g. grazing mowing etc.) herbage removal intensities lower higher intensities) combined within between years. To investigate this, we overall effects complexity, intensity type plant diversity, dominance relationships physiognomy. Our field sampling was sandy meso-xeric Turján Region Great Hungarian Plain (Central Hungary). We sampled nine 2 m × plots per grassland site (n = 12), recorded all rooted species estimated their percentage cover each plot. High level had positive phanerophyte density, while studied no effect or parallel, and/or low some negative value Shannon Simpson diversity). this landscape, more complex is optimal than relatively homogeneous mechanical mowing. choice an important tool system but so too its appropriate application space time. Through detailed analysis levels, new opportunity make practices effective for conserving biodiversity region, it would be landscapes conditions.

Language: Английский

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