Changes in plant functional types in response to goat and sheep grazing in two semi-arid shrublands of SE Spain

Navarro, Teresa; Alados, Concepción L.; Cabezudo, Baltasar

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.05.005

Cited by 61 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 81 publications

(106 reference statements)

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“…Grazing is known to affect plant (Pykäla 2004, Navarro et al 2006) and pollinator taxa (Sjödin et al 2008, Kimoto et al 2012, Murray et al 2012 differently, which may result in changes in the number of interactions and selectiveness of flower visitors and plants in the networks, as grazing intensity varies. For instance, a larger number of interactions and lower selectiveness could be expected in ground-nesting bees compared to other bees as grazing intensities increase because grazing increases the availability of bare soil necessary for ground nesting (Petanidou and Ellis 1993, Potts et al 2003, Vulliamy et al 2006, Murray et al 2012.…”

Section: Moderation Is Best: Effects Of Grazing Intensity On Plant-flmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moderation is best: effects of grazing intensity on plant-flower visitor networks in Mediterranean communities

Lázaro¹,

Tscheulin²,

Devalez³

et al. 2015

Ecological Applications

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Abstract. The structure of pollination networks is an important indicator of ecosystem stability and functioning. Livestock grazing is a frequent land use practice that directly affects the abundance and diversity of flowers and pollinators and, therefore, may indirectly affect the structure of pollination networks. We studied how grazing intensity affected the structure of plant-flower visitor networks along a wide range of grazing intensities by sheep and goats, using data from 11 Mediterranean plant-flower visitor communities from Lesvos Island, Greece. We hypothesized that intermediate grazing might result in higher diversity as predicted by the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, which could in turn confer more stability to the networks. Indeed, we found that networks at intermediate grazing intensities were larger, more generalized, more modular, and contained more diverse and even interactions. Despite general responses at the network level, the number of interactions and selectiveness of particular flower visitor and plant taxa in the networks responded differently to grazing intensity, presumably as a consequence of variation in the abundance of different taxa with grazing. Our results highlight the benefit of maintaining moderate levels of livestock grazing by sheep and goats to preserve the complexity and biodiversity of the rich Mediterranean communities, which have a long history of grazing by these domestic animals.

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Section: Moderation Is Best: Effects Of Grazing Intensity On Plant-flmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moderation is best: effects of grazing intensity on plant-flower visitor networks in Mediterranean communities

Lázaro¹,

Tscheulin²,

Devalez³

et al. 2015

Ecological Applications

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show abstract

“…However, studying plant functional types can be used to overcome these shortcomings. The plant functional type refers to a vegetation group that consists of plants with similar functional traits that respond in a similar pattern to an environmental disturbance (Navarro et al, 2006). Relying on plant functional types is an effective means of studying plant diversity and soil erosion from the plot (Anderson and Hoffman, 2011) to the landscape scale (Navarro et al, 2006); however, certain details are lost in studies that focus on plant functional traits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of plant diversity on soil erosion for different vegetation patterns

Hou

Wang²,

et al. 2016

CATENA

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Vegetation effectively prevents soil erosion. However the relationship between plant diversity and soil erosion remains ambiguous under various environmental conditions. To explore the role that plant diversity plays in soil erosion, this study was conducted in the Three-River-Source region, located in the hinterlands of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. After examining 99 plots within the study area, and analyzing the soil 137 Cs inventory within the plots, we found that with a greater number of plants distributed within an aggregation pattern, there was greater interception of the soil particles by the vegetation patch. This phenomenon results in a more developed vegetation patch that can support greater vegetation coverage and higher plant diversity than it previously could. Although a positive correlation exists between plant diversity and vegetation coverage, the relationship between the extent of soil erosion and plant diversity is modulated by the vegetation pattern. When plants are distributed in a relatively homogeneous pattern, vegetation coverage decreases with increasing plant diversity, which leads to increased soil erosion. When plants are distributed between a homogenous and a heterogeneous pattern, no relationship is found between plant diversity and soil erosion. With a heterogeneous plant distribution, vegetation coverage increases with plant diversity, and soil erosion is inhibited under such conditions.

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“…However, second to fi fth instars were most often found on grasses (data not shown), indicating that instars may share the dietary preferences of adults. Th reats to grass populations are evident throughout the Mediterranean region, with declines in pasture grazing and similar extensive agricultural practices leading to increased colonization of open grassland patches through shrubs and trees (Navarro et al 2006;Jauregui et al 2008). Without any management eff orts (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development, reproductive capacity and diet of the Mediterranean grasshopperArcyptera brevipennis vichetiHarz 1975 (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae)

Schultner

Blanchet

Pagès

et al. 2012

Annales de la Société entomologique de France (N.S.)

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Abstract. Arcyptera brevipennis vichetiHarz 1975 (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is a rare grasshopper native to Mediterranean grassland habitats in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. Changes in land-use have modifi ed these unique habitats, thus threatening the survival of A. b. vicheti populations. To improve the conservation of this species this study aimed to describe important aspects of its biology and ecology. Development of nymphs passed through fi ve instars after hatching and was closely associated with the Mediterranean spring season. A prominent sexual size dimorphism is highlighted, but the larger females developed in the same number of instars as males. Hind femur length and number of antenna segments were useful characters when distinguishing between nymphal instars. All individuals were brachypterous, indicating that A. b. vicheti is unable to fl y. Adult females laid 15 eggs on average and deposited no more than two egg pods in their lifetime. Grass debris made up 93% of faecal content of both sexes. Our results provide valuable information for the conservation of this highly endangered grasshopper species.Résumé. Développement, capacité de reproduction et régime alimentaire du criquet méditerranéen. Arcyptera brevipennis vicheti Harz 1975 (Orthoptera : Caelifera : Acrididae : Gomphocerinae). Arcyptera brevipennis vicheti Harz 1975 (Orthoptera : Acrididae) est un criquet indigène rare des pelouses du Languedonc-Roussillon dans le sud de la France. Les changements dans l'aménagement du territoire ont modifi é ces habitats uniques, menaçant ainsi la survie des populations d' A. b. vicheti. Afi n d'améliorer la conservation de cette espèce, cette étude s'est donnée pour mission de décrire les grands aspects de sa biologie et de son écologie. Le développement des larves passe par 5 stades après l'éclosion et est étroitement associée avec le printemps méditerranéen. Un fort dimorphisme sexuel est mis en évidence mais les femelles de grande taille se développent avec le même nombre de stades larvaires que les mâles. La longueur du fémur postérieur et le nombre de segments des antennes sont des caractères utiles pour distinguer les stades larvaires. Tous les individus sont brachyptères, ce qui indique qu'A. b. vicheti est incapable de vol. Les femelles adultes pondent une moyenne de 15 oeufs et ne déposent pas plus de 2 oothèques durant leur vie. Les débris herbeux constituent jusqu'à 93% des contenus fécaux des deux sexes. Nos résultats fournissent des informations précieuses pour la conservation de cette espèce fortement menacée.

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Changes in plant functional types in response to goat and sheep grazing in two semi-arid shrublands of SE Spain

Cited by 61 publications

References 81 publications

Moderation is best: effects of grazing intensity on plant-flower visitor networks in Mediterranean communities

Moderation is best: effects of grazing intensity on plant-flower visitor networks in Mediterranean communities

Effects of plant diversity on soil erosion for different vegetation patterns

Development, reproductive capacity and diet of the Mediterranean grasshopperArcyptera brevipennis vichetiHarz 1975 (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae)

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