Effects of sheep grazing on abundance and predators of field vole (Microtus agrestis) in upland Britain

Wheeler, Philip M.

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2007.04.003

Cited by 27 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Furthermore, historical overgrazing by sheep has resulted in a heather–grass mosaic on our study area (Thirgood et al . ), which is likely to promote the spatial proximity or even coexistence of voles and Red Grouse (Redpath & Thirgood , Wheeler ). On the other hand, the enclosed fields on the moorland periphery, which are generally separated from the heather‐moor by 1–2 km on our study area, support higher abundances of alternative prey such as rabbits, moles, earthworms, corvids and pigeons (Glue , Swann & Etheridge , Redpath & Thirgood ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical and functional responses of Common Buzzards Buteo buteo to prey abundance on a Scottish grouse moor

Francksen

Whittingham

Ludwig

et al. 2017

Ibis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Predators will often respond to reductions in preferred prey by switching to alternative prey resources. However, this may not apply to all alternative prey groups in patchy landscapes. We investigated the demographic and aggregative numerical and functional responses of Common Buzzards Buteo buteo in relation to variations in prey abundance on a moor managed for Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scotica in south‐west Scotland over three consecutive breeding and non‐breeding seasons. We predicted that predation of Red Grouse by Buzzards would increase when abundance of their preferred Field Vole Microtus agrestis prey declined. As vole abundance fluctuated, Buzzards responded functionally by eating voles in relation to their abundance, but they did not respond demographically in terms of either breeding success or density. During a vole crash year, Buzzards selected a wider range of prey typical of enclosed farmland habitats found on the moorland edge but fewer Grouse from the heather moorland. During a vole peak year, prey remains suggested a linear relationship between Grouse density and the number of Grouse eaten (a Type 1 functional response), which was not evident in either intermediate or vole crash years. Buzzard foraging intensity varied between years as vole abundance fluctuated, and foraging intensity declined with increasing heather cover. Our findings did not support the prediction that predation of Red Grouse would increase when vole abundance was low. Instead, they suggest that Buzzards predated Grouse incidentally while hunting for voles, which may increase when vole abundances are high through promoting foraging in heather moorland habitats where Grouse are more numerous. Our results suggest that declines in their main prey may not result in increased predation of all alternative prey groups when predators inhabit patchy landscapes. We suggest that when investigating predator diet and impacts on prey, knowledge of all resources and habitats that are available to predators is important.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical and functional responses of Common Buzzards Buteo buteo to prey abundance on a Scottish grouse moor

Francksen

Whittingham

Ludwig

et al. 2017

Ibis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Studies on small mammals population structure show unequivocally that the effect is negative (Schmidt et al, 2005;Torre et al, 2007). Nevertheless, grazed areas are important as feeding grounds for birds (Wheeler, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Sheep Grazing on Small Mammals Diversity in Lower Mountain Coniferous Forest Glades

Ważna¹

2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Sheep grazing has once been a traditional mode of exploitation of forest as well as alpine zones in the majority of European montane regions. Nowadays, in Tatra Mts, sheep grazing is limited to a number of glades of anthropogenic origin, primarily as a method of protection against overgrowing with trees. Results of the present study demonstrate that sheep grazing causes a decrease in species diversity of small mammals Micromammalia in forest zone glades. The values of biodiversity indicators in sheepgrazed glades are lower than those in the non-managed or mown ones. On sheep-grazed glades, a lower biodiversity of Soricomorpha and a domination of common vole Microtus arvalis have been found.

show abstract

“…trampling, causing a reduction of suitable soil for burrow systems, has also been identified as a grazing-induced factor affecting small mammal communities (torre et al 2007). Negative consequences of herbivore grazing on small mammals have been investigated and reported in several ecosystems (Eccard et al 2000;Chapman & Ribic 2002;Beever & Brussard 2004;Schmidt et al 2005;torre et al 2007;Wheeler 2008;Muñoz et al 2009). The assessment of the consequences of livestock grazing on small mammal communities is fundamental because small mammals are key species in grazed ecosystems: they have top-down effects on plants (Manson et al 2001;Bagchi et al 2006;Roth et al 2009;Scheper & Smit 2011) and invertebrate populations (Churchfield et al 1991;Elkinton et al 2004), and they are an important prey source for birds and other mammals (Hanski et al 2001;taylor 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rodents in grassland habitats: does livestock grazing matter? A comparison of two Alpine sites with different grazing histories

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Effects of sheep grazing on abundance and predators of field vole (Microtus agrestis) in upland Britain

Cited by 27 publications

References 26 publications

Numerical and functional responses of Common Buzzards Buteo buteo to prey abundance on a Scottish grouse moor

Numerical and functional responses of Common Buzzards Buteo buteo to prey abundance on a Scottish grouse moor

Impact of Sheep Grazing on Small Mammals Diversity in Lower Mountain Coniferous Forest Glades

Rodents in grassland habitats: does livestock grazing matter? A comparison of two Alpine sites with different grazing histories

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About