Patch and matrix characteristics determine the outcome of ecosystem engineering by mole rats in dry grasslands

Abstract

Background Burrowing mammals are important ecosystem engineers, especially in open ecosystems where they create patches that differ from the surrounding matrix in their structure or ecosystem functions. Methods We evaluated the fine-scale effects of a subterranean ecosystem engineer, the Lesser blind mole rat on the vegetation composition of sandy dry grasslands in Hungary. In this model system we tested whether the characteristics of the patch (mound size) and the matrix (total vegetation cover in the undisturbed grassland) influence the structural and functional contrasts between the mounds and the undisturbed grasslands. We sampled the vegetation of 80 mounds and 80 undisturbed grassland plots in four sites, where we recorded the total vegetation cover, and the occurrence and cover of each vascular plant species. We used two proxies to characterise the patches (mounds) and the matrix (undisturbed grassland): we measured the perimeter of the mounds and estimated the total vegetation cover of the undisturbed grasslands. First, we compared the vegetation characteristics of the mounds and the surrounding grasslands with general linear models. Second, we characterised the contrasts between the mounds and the undisturbed grassland by relative response indices (RRIs) of the vegetation characteristics studied in the first step. Results Species composition of the vegetation of the mounds and undisturbed grasslands was well separated in three out of the four study sites. Mounds were characterised by lower vegetation cover, lower cover of perennial graminoids, and higher diversity, and evenness compared to undisturbed grasslands. The contrast in vegetation cover between mounds and undisturbed grasslands increased with decreasing patch size. Increasing vegetation cover in the matrix grasslands increased the contrasts between the mounds and undisturbed grasslands in terms of total cover, perennial graminoid cover, diversity, and evenness. Our results suggest that mole rat mounds provide improved establishment conditions for subordinate species, because they are larger than other types of natural gaps and are characterised by less intense belowground competition. The ecosystem engineering effect, i.e., the contrast between the patches and the matrix was the largest in the more closed grasslands.

Human activities modulate reciprocal effects of a subterranean ecological engineer rodent, Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, on Afroalpine vegetation cover

“…Thus, given the direct and indirect effects of human activities both on vegetation and subterranean rodents, this natural interplay between vegetation and rodents is sensitive to human activities (Eldridge & Soliveres, 2023 ; Jones, 2012 ). Many of the burrowing rodents are critically endangered and vulnerable in many parts of the world, and as many of them are ecosystem engineers, their decline has a disproportionally large effect on other components of the habitats they live in, such as on soil properties and vegetation dynamics (Eldridge & Soliveres, 2023 ; Valkó et al, 2022 ). In addition to their impact on soil and vegetation, engineer rodents also impact other animals relying on vegetation for food, shelter and reproduction (Jones, 2012 ).…”

“…In addition to their impact on soil and vegetation, engineer rodents also impact other animals relying on vegetation for food, shelter and reproduction (Jones, 2012 ). Yet, there have been limited understandings on the nature and extent of such complex interactions between human activities, vegetation and subterranean rodents (Eldridge & Soliveres, 2023 ; Valkó et al, 2022 ); specifically, how the effects of human activities on vegetation affect rodents engineering activities and its reciprocal effects on vegetation.…”