Short-Term Effects of Red Deer Overabundance on Herbaceous Communities in Mediterranean Woody Ecosystems

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Herbaceous communities are vital for biodiversity in forests and scrublands. Herbivory influences their cover, richness, diversity. Overabundant herbivores disrupt these ecosystem processes. In recent decades, vast territories (e.g., North America, Europe) have experienced a remarkable increase deer (Cervidae) populations. However, few studies examined the effects of increasing ungulate densities different Mediterranean habitats.This study explores short-term impacts red overabundance on diversity (taxonomic functional) herbaceous layers scrublands to guide management. three enclosures across two habitats (scrubland oak forest), we manipulated densities: control (no deer), high density (18-63 deer/km2), hyper (58-113 deer/km2). species occurrence cover were recorded 90 quadrats (50x50 cm), alongside bibliographic data six functional traits. analysed with Generalized Linear Mixed Models.Hyper negatively affected taxonomic both The treatment already showed clear trend towards reducing variables that heavily increased scenario (e.g. 84.2% loss scrubland 64.2% forest). Functional remained unchanged, likely due >40-year legacy herbivory favoring traits typical grazing areas.Deer is causing rapid, drastic changes communities, even short term. Managers should reduce populations protect which offer high-quality forage essential ecological roles.

Язык: Английский

The essential, but complex, role of red deer as an ecosystem service provider: a comprehensive review across Europe

European Journal of Wildlife Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 71(3)

Опубликована: Апрель 23, 2025

Язык: Английский