Small mammals in farmlands of Argentina: Responses to organic and conventional farming

Coda, José; Gomez, María Daniela; Steinmann, Andrea R.; Priotto, José

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2015.05.007

Cited by 39 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(63 reference statements)

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“…Studies developed in European agroecosystems suggest that organic farms offer more resources, and sustain higher abundance and richness of invertebrates and weeds, both in border habitats and within crop fields (Frieben and Kopke, 1995;Hole et al, 2005;Macdonald et al, 2000). Considering that conventional farms have less resources (coverage and food) and higher percentages of arable land , crop fields could not connect suitable habitats for small mammal nor provide shelter from predators (Cittadino et al, 1998;Coda et al, 2015Coda et al, , 2014Gomez et al, 2011;Sheffield et al, 2001). Contrarily, organic farms have more resources, both in border habitats and crop fields, and less percentage of arable land, potentially increasing habitat connectivity.…”

Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 98%

The use of fluctuating asymmetry as a measure of farming practice effects in rodents: A species-specific response

Coda

Gomez

Martínez

et al. 2016

Ecological Indicators

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Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 98%

The use of fluctuating asymmetry as a measure of farming practice effects in rodents: A species-specific response

Coda

Gomez

Martínez

et al. 2016

Ecological Indicators

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“…In previous studies, which took place in Córdoba province, the relationship between environmental characteristics and small mammals was assessed using generalized linear models (GLM) (Coda et al . ; Gomez et al . ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, these important changes in agricultural landscapes are insufficiently documented in studies involving farmland biodiversity with conservation goals (see Coda et al . , ; Gomez et al . ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous research in the study area elucidated effects of farming management on some species (Coda et al . ), but they have only considered more abundant species including only one specialist species, and without considering detection probabilities, so our understanding of such effects is incomplete. The scope of this study enabled us more adequately to evaluate hypotheses concerning farming management.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Small mammal responses to farming practices in central Argentinian agroecosystems: The use of hierarchical occupancy models

et al. 2018

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Organic farming is more environmentally friendly than conventional agriculture, promoting greater levels of habitat heterogeneity. Field borders could be more suitable for biodiversity in agricultural anthromes. Small mammals are crucial in these anthromes due to their contribution to food webs and seed consumption. We used hierarchical multi-season occupancy models to assess the effect of organic versus conventional farming on multiple small mammal species in agricultural anthromes of central Argentina. We modelled detectability and increased precision of estimates, overcoming deficiencies of previous studies. Small mammals were seasonally surveyed in 70 field borders (conventional) and 63 (organic) during two years. We were able to include less frequent specialist species, detecting a positive relationship with organic management possibly because of higher habitat quality of borders. Vegetation volume was the most important explanatory variable in both managements. Species' richness was greater under organic management mainly in spring when the habitat quality differences with conventional management were the greatest. Spring is key for the rodent assemblage because of the beginning of reproductive period, when resource demand is important. We suggest that maintaining high quality border habitats, as those supported by organic management, could allow farmers to obtain economic profit while also contributing to biodiversity conservation. Considering the positive role that native rodents may have in some agricultural anthromes, the maintenance of high population numbers may be important for biodiversity conservation. The approach used in this study shows the importance of modelling imperfect detection, reducing bias in parameter estimates, and it should be implemented in similar studies.

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“…Thus, and taking into account that A. azarae is a very good indicator of habitat quality owing to its preference for relatively undisturbed habitats (Coda et al. ), it is very important to understand spacing and reproductive behaviour of this species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female Intrasexual Territoriality and its Potential Adaptive Significance: The Pampean Grassland Mouse as an Ecological Model Species

et al. 2017

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Territorial behaviour in female small mammals has been proposed as a mechanism to defend limited ecological resources or their pups against conspecific infanticidal or predators. Female territorial behaviour very often is associated with reproductive activity due to the fact that frequency and intensity of aggression are exhibited mainly when females are pregnant or lactating. In vole and mice species, female territoriality would be a counterstrategy to prevent the killing of their pups by conspecific breeding females. To study whether female territoriality is a strategy for pups or nest defence against infanticidal breeding females, and whether time invested in nursing young affects aggressive response of mothers, we used the Pampean grassland mouse (Akodon azarae) as an ecological model species. We conducted resident–intruder tests between lactating females. Differences in residency time (48 vs. 72 h) of focal females in their home territory were also included in the analysis. In all cases, the pups of both resident and intruder mothers were placed with the nesting material from their reproductive cages. Resident mothers were always more aggressive than intruders and they were even more aggressive when they spent more time nursing their pups. Contrarily, intruder females exhibited the greatest values of submissive behaviours. Our results show that female territoriality of A. azarae would represent a strategy to protect pups from potentially infanticidal females. We discuss the extent of female intrasexual territoriality and its potential adaptive significance in relation to strategies which lead to increase their reproductive success.

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Small mammals in farmlands of Argentina: Responses to organic and conventional farming

Cited by 39 publications

References 43 publications

The use of fluctuating asymmetry as a measure of farming practice effects in rodents: A species-specific response

The use of fluctuating asymmetry as a measure of farming practice effects in rodents: A species-specific response

Small mammal responses to farming practices in central Argentinian agroecosystems: The use of hierarchical occupancy models

Female Intrasexual Territoriality and its Potential Adaptive Significance: The Pampean Grassland Mouse as an Ecological Model Species

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