Mechanisms of dietary resource partitioning in large‐herbivore assemblages: A plant‐trait‐based approach

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 110(4), P. 817 - 832

Published: Jan. 22, 2022

Abstract Sympatric large mammalian herbivore species differ in diet composition, both by eating different parts of the same plant and species. Various theories proposed to explain these differences are not mutually exclusive, but difficult reconcile confront with data. Moreover, whereas several ideas were originally developed reference within‐plant partitioning (i.e. consumption tissues), they may analogously apply species; this possibility has received little attention. Plant functional traits provide a novel window into diets means testing multiple hypotheses unified framework. We used DNA metabarcoding characterize 14 sympatric large‐herbivore an African savanna analysed composition light 27 that we measured locally for 204 associated deep phylogenetic split between grasses eudicots formed primary axis resource partitioning, affirming generality importance grazer–browser spectrum. A secondary comprised relevant body size. taxa large‐bodied lower on average digestible energy protein, taller (especially among grazers), tended be higher tensile strength, zinc, stem‐specific density, potassium (and sodium, stem dry matter content, copper). These results consistent longstanding linking size forage quality height, yet also suggest existence undiscovered links set rarely considered food–plant traits. tested hypothesis leaf economic spectrum (LES), major focus ecology, is assemblages; found LES was minor individual variation within few species, had effect interspecific dietary differentiation. Synthesis . identify key underpin communities accounting trade‐offs them) will enable deeper understanding herbivore–plant interaction networks.

Language: Английский

---

Ungulate niche partitioning and behavioural plasticity of aurochs in Early Holocene southern Scandinavia revealed by stable isotope analysis of bone collagen

Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 648, P. 112257 - 112257

Published: May 7, 2024

This study examines the impact of extensive climatic and environmental changes associated with Early Holocene on feeding ecology aurochs, European bison, red deer, Eurasian elk in southern Scandinavia from radiocarbon dates analysis stable carbon nitrogen isotopes. Molecular sex information is utilised aurochs to understand underlying reasons behind observed intraspecific differences. Asynchronous diachronic dietary palaeoecology were between included taxa. The trends foraging habitat use among herbivores our dataset can be attributed directional vegetation change open landscape forest. Our findings imply that and/or interspecific competition contributed local extinction bison impacted niches remaining species through niche overlap (cervids) partitioning (between cervids aurochs). Thus, observations are consistent influence multiple mechanisms acted concurrently.

Language: Английский

---

Small shrubs with large importance? Smaller deer may increase the moose-forestry conflict through feeding competition over Vaccinium shrubs in the field layer

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 480, P. 118768 - 118768

Published: Nov. 18, 2020

The moose (Alces alces) is a dominant large mammalian herbivore in the world's boreal zones. Moose exert significant browsing impacts on forest vegetation and are therefore often at centre of wildlife-forestry conflicts. Consequently, understanding drivers their foraging behaviour crucial for mitigating such Management parts its range currently largely ignores fact that influenced by increasing populations sympatric deer species. In multispecies systems, resource partitioning may be driven height bite size. Feeding competition with smaller species might replace larger from field layer drive them towards higher strata offering bites. This size hypothesis has been well documented African ungulate communities. Based diet DNA metabarcoding dataset we suggest feeding three (red Cervus elaphus, fallow Dama dama, roe Capreolus capreolus) over Vaccinium shrubs consumption Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) Sweden. We found areas high density, diets consistently contained less proportions spring periods. Utilization these food items was either unaffected density or, showed opposite pattern to moose, i.e., increases red density. Availability Vaccinium, measured as proportion available bites, did not explain observed patterns. Our results managing key like play an important role controlling pine.

Language: Английский

---

Humans rather than Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) shape ungulate browsing patterns in a temperate forest

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2022

Abstract The recolonization of human‐dominated landscapes by large carnivores has been followed with considerable scientific interest; however, little is known about their interactive effect on ungulate foraging behavior. This study compared the risks imposed humans and lynx behavior examining effects browsing intensity (at two spatial scales), diet quality, tree species selection. We hypothesized that: (1) in areas high risk would be reduced; (2) interact habitat visibility at a fine scale, resulting contrasting patterns response to versus risk; (3) ungulates compensate for higher costs incurred high‐risk switching (4) browse proportion more‐preferred species. These hypotheses were tested measuring along 48 transects located different distances from human settlements within hunted nonhunted Bavarian Forest. Dung samples collected analyzed as proxy quality (C:N ratio, fiber). intensity, selection then linked risk, hunting recreation distance settlements. Our results showed that strongly decreased increasing recreational activities, whereas it increased only close proximity was dense habitats obtained. found stronger avoidance less preferred high‐hunting areas. In conclusion, our indicate activities outweigh those natural carnivore. Thus, highlighting importance taking into account predicting impacts plant‐food choices.

Language: Английский

---

Assessing Relationships Between Deer (Cervidae) Damage and Stand Structure of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) Stands in Hemiboreal Latvia

Forests, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1), P. 170 - 170

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

Intensive forest management has promoted an increase in deer (Cervidae) population density. Various silvicultural activities, such as pre-commercial thinning, can change the feeding conditions for species, therefore impacting browsing pressure on target tree species. In this study, we analyzed how several factors, including density of main admixture, undergrowth, and type, affect damage intensity pine stands, considering densities regional aspects hemiboreal Latvia. GLMM analysis, based data from 1238 sample plots, showed that probability decreases with undergrowth young (<20 years) stands a dominant height below 3 m. Also, pines being damaged by was significantly (p = 0.001) higher fresh thinning than those no thinning. However, differences between regions also determined pressure. Results indicated density, may be important drivers levels, especially winter wet mineral soils. Therefore, future research should continue to evaluate applied strategies forests provide additional natural food base form woody plants shrubs forage ensure more deer-adapted practices.

Language: Английский

---

The Białowieża Forest as an example of the resilience of long-term studies in a changing world

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 304, P. 111045 - 111045

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Do recolonising wolves trigger non‐consumptive effects in European ecosystems? A review of evidence

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 5, 2024

Predators can affect ecosystems through non‐consumptive effects (NCE) on their prey, which lead to cascading the vegetation. In mammalian communities, such whole have mainly been demonstrated in protected areas, but extent may occur more human‐dominated landscapes remains disputable. With recolonisation of wolves Canis lupus Europe, understanding potential for processes becomes crucial ecological consequences wolf recovery and making appropriate management recommendations. Here, we investigate evidence wild ungulate prey vegetation European landscapes. We reviewed empirical studies reporting responses involving spatio‐temporal behaviour at large fine spatial scales, activity patterns, vigilance, grouping, physiological effects, reveal that Europe studied few regions with focus low human impact, are highly context‐dependent, might often be overruled by human‐related factors. Hence, highlight need a description influence NCE studies. discuss challenges research advances future landscape. emphasise wildlife restore ecosystem complexity processes, allow predator occur.

Language: Английский

---

Herbivore‐induced branching increases sapling survival in temperate forest canopy gaps

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 110(6), P. 1390 - 1402

Published: March 28, 2022

Abstract Tree architectures reflect the main abiotic and biotic selection pressures determining tree growth survival. Studies have shown that trees growing in herbivore‐dominated ecosystems, such as savannas, develop denser, more divaricate ‘cage’‐like response to chronic browsing pressure (also known ‘brown world’ architectures). In contrast, under resource‐limited conditions traits allow them better compete for resources (referred ‘green architectures); example, light limitation can induce form pole‐like structures grow faster height. temperate forests, drivers traditionally been assumed be factors affecting plant architecture. However, gap dynamics typically characterize old‐growth where disturbances storms create gaps with temporary high‐light availability, but also attracting intense mammalian browsing. Under conditions, one would expect saplings exhibit high architectural plasticity enabling a ‘cage’ herbivore pressure, when declines switch structure allows quickly height light. We tested ability of five dominant European species architecture (hereafter referred ‘cage plasticity’) contrasting herbivory regimes full‐factorial experiment Białowieża Forest. planted 720 young six replicated blocks which we manipulated ungulate (exclosure vs. control) levels (gap closed forest). Two out (hornbeam Carpinus betulus lime Tilia cordata ) were able cage exposed herbivores only conditions. These two had highest survival rates treatment over 10‐year period. Synthesis . Cage forest may an overlooked adaptation mammal originating past large mammals exerted strong ecosystems. Our findings challenge view closed‐canopy communities being solely driven by call re‐evaluation importance shaping functional species.

Language: Английский

---

Niche overlap across landscape variability in summer between two large herbivores using eDNA metabarcoding

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(2), P. e0279672 - e0279672

Published: Feb. 13, 2024

Understanding the relationship between a species feeding strategy and its environment (trophic ecology) is critical to assess environmental requirements improve management policies. However, measuring trophic interactions remains challenging. Among available methods, quantifying plant composition of species’ diet indicates how use their associated niche overlap. Nevertheless, most studies focusing on herbivore ecology ignore influence that landscape variability may have. Here, we explored influences through We used eDNA metabarcoding quantify two large herbivores Bialowieza Forest, red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) European bison Bison bonasus investigate increasing habitat quality (i.e. higher abundance deciduous forage species) predation risk density wolf in area) partitioning. Our findings indicate non-homogeneous across landscape, both within species. Red showed greater lower overlap compared bison. detected reduction for with risk, leading more dissimilar diets, suggesting behaviour affected by presence. This correlation was not found bison, which are rarely predated wolf. Higher only probably due suboptimal as browsers. These results show importance integrating environment-induced variation aimed at determining usage or

Language: Английский

---

Alternative Strategy to Improve the Conservation of Javan Deer in Pangandaran Nature Reserve, West Java, Indonesia

Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 8(1), P. 76498 - 76498

Published: Jan. 16, 2023

The habitat of Javan deer in Pangandaran Nature Reserve (PNR) faced natural changes, particularly due to the succession process vegetation community grazing areas, and inadequate infrastructures that affected roam outside PNR. This study aimed formulate strategies for conservation PNR, focusing on ecological aspects management. methods were encountering individuals; scan sampling continuous recording observe behaviour deer; calculating productivity area by defoliation experiment analysis; reviewing documents, reports interviews; analysing strategy using SWOT-QSPM. Results showed there 43 encountered roaming PNR area, nine individuals gathered Cikamal grassland. areas (5.61 ha) was 93,826 kg feed annually only sufficient 23 individuals. dominated Cynodon dactylon. spent their time feeding. herd is more intolerant humans compared Tourist Park (PNTP). recommends: considering management status PNTP; improving its habitat; facilities system those conservation-supporting infrastructures; collaboration with researchers perform some research innovations conservation; capability staff theoretically practically; educating empowering local people terms conservation.

Language: Английский

---