Effects of wild boar (Sus scrofa) grazing on soil properties in Mediterranean environment

Macci, Cristina; Doni, Serena; Bondi, Giulia; Davini, Daniele; Masciandaro, Grazia; Pistoia, Alessandro

doi:10.1016/j.catena.2012.06.005

Cited by 17 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…According to Caughley and Grigg (1981), a particular wildlife species can be considered as "overabundant" if, among other things, it causes dysfunctions in the ecosystem (the consequences of "overabundance" are dealt by Côté et al 2004). Previous studies have highlighted the negative effects of over-foraging by ungulates on vertebrate or invertebrate wildlife, vegetation and soil dynamics (Mohr et al 2005, Häsler and Senn 2012, Macci et al 2012. High densities of ungulates may affect other species as a result of habitat modification and the degradation of certain resources that are critical for other species (Côté et al 2004).…”

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confidence: 99%

Ungulate browsing on European silver fir Abies alba: the role of occasions, food shortage and diet preferences

Häsler

Senn

2012

Wildlife Biology

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European silver fir Abies alba is the most heavily browsed conifer in Central European mountain forests. Attempts to reduce ungulate browsing have often been unsuccessful, controversial or too costly. The aim of the work described here was to improve our understanding of the factors that lead to browsing on silver fir. The silver fir content in the diet of three sympatric ungulate species, chamois Rupicapra rupicapra, red deer Cervus elaphus and roe deer Capreolus capreolus, was determined by microhistological analysis of faeces collected at four sites in the Alps. Further, the supply of silver fir was assessed at the individual tree and patch scale and then extrapolated to site scale. Silver fir consumption was highest in winter, when diet composition varied among sites but not among ungulate species. Towards the summer, site‐differences decreased and differences among ungulate species increased. Red and roe deer reduced consumption of silver fir, whereas chamois kept it constant. The use of silver fir was unrelated to the supply at the various sites, but increased with the proportion of trees growing amidst palatable herbaceous species. At the individual plant scale, ungulates browsed on the saplings with the larger needles. These results indicate that silver fir as food does not rank high among the available plant species, but is eaten opportunistically, especially when it grows close to more preferred food plants. However, when alternative food is scarce, particularly in winter, it may also represent a shortage food supply, and larger quantities are consumed. Yet, the fact that feeding on silver fir is mostly opportunistic may offer forest managers a way to approach the ‘browsing problem’.

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confidence: 99%

Ungulate browsing on European silver fir Abies alba: the role of occasions, food shortage and diet preferences

Häsler

Senn

2012

Wildlife Biology

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“…This trend was probably due to the contribution of light grazing on plant and animal fresh residues incorporated into the soil, thus preserving the organic matter content and biological properties (Macci et al, 2012b;Moody and Jones, 2000). However, a negative effect of grazing was also observed in LD, as showed by the increase in bulk density in both soil layers and lower slopes (5S and 0S), meaning a worsening of soil physical properties.…”

Section: Pyrolysis-gas Chromatography (Py-gc)mentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Indeed, Relva et al (2014) and Macci et al (2012b), reported no reduction in biological properties in forest soils disturbed by invasive grazing.…”

Section: Pyrolysis-gas Chromatography (Py-gc)mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…2b), the form of carbon directly available for microorganisms (Macci et al, 2010). These lower values were probably due to the total removal of edible biomass in the soil (roots, grass, foliage and small branches) caused by animal activity (Garcia et al, 1997;Macci et al, 2010Macci et al, , 2012b, and to a rate of mineralization. Table 2 ANOVA, used to evaluate the differences (p < 0.05) between density (HD and LD), slopes (0S, 5S, 30S) and layers (us, ls) and their interaction in chemical and chemicalstructural parameters (*, p < 0.05; ns, not significative A significant lower microbial respiration (Fig.…”

Section: Pyrolysis-gas Chromatography (Py-gc)mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Soil compaction, highlighted by the increase of the bulk density (Fig. 3a), due to excessive trampling, prevents the vegetation and root system development, resulting in low soil organic matter turn-over and nutrient release (Macci et al, 2012b;Prieto et al, 2011). According to TOC and TN trend, the more resistant pool of organic matter (humic substances), evaluated by total extractable carbon (TEC) assay, showed lower values in HD upper soil layers, thus suggesting that grazing negatively affected also the highest stable soil organic matter (Macci et al, 2012b) (Fig.…”

Section: Pyrolysis-gas Chromatography (Py-gc)mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Changes in soil organic matter associated with pig rearing: Influence of stocking densities and land gradient on forest soils in central Italy

Bondi

Peruzzi

Macci

et al. 2015

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

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The geomorphologic forcing of wild boars

Mauri

Sallustio

Tarolli

2019

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Among the main invasive species, the wild boar (Sus scrofa) is the most responsible for soil degradation in Europe and many Italian regions. At the same time, the stable presence of this species in agricultural areas has induced a conflict with humans, causing economic losses, environmental degradation and also social issues. A clear quantification of the potential damages (in terms of soil bioturbation) of this species at large scale is, however, still obscure. The purpose of this research is to analyse the role of wild boars as a geomorphologic agent, presenting a general diagnostic framework regarding the geomorphic impact of this species, classifying and mapping potential sediment hotspots and their likely connection to rivers and road networks. Accordingly, a record of wild boar damage types is first presented, and their possible interaction with hydrological and geomorphological processes is described. Then, a pilot case study is discussed on mapping and quantifying wild boar damages in a hilly agricultural landscape located in northeast Italy. The wild boar damages were geolocalized using a geographical positioning system (GPS) in two years of intensive field campaigns among agricultural fields involved in wild boar damaging activities. For each damaged area (total 406), several measures of soil erosion depth were taken and the degradation surface of interest mapped for a total of 10 150 measures. The volume of removed soil was then estimated, considering the average depth of damages previously recorded. Finally, the Index of Connectivity was applied to provide a classification of the considered damages based on their connection to both river and road networks. The results indicate that the ongoing uncontrolled wild boar expansion may not affect crops only or be a risk for people, but can also increase soil erosion, with a potential connection to hydrographic networks and human infrastructures. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Effects of wild boar (Sus scrofa) grazing on soil properties in Mediterranean environment

Cited by 17 publications

References 34 publications

Ungulate browsing on European silver fir Abies alba: the role of occasions, food shortage and diet preferences

Ungulate browsing on European silver fir Abies alba: the role of occasions, food shortage and diet preferences

Changes in soil organic matter associated with pig rearing: Influence of stocking densities and land gradient on forest soils in central Italy

The geomorphologic forcing of wild boars

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