The Botteri's Sparrow and Exotic Arizona Grasslands: An Ecological Trap or Habitat Regained?

Jones, Zach F.; Bock, Carl E.

doi:10.1650/7741.1

Cited by 42 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…stansburiana, Fautin 1946). Vegetation structural changes do not necessarily coincide with plant invasions (e.g., Jones and Bock 2005), but when they do, animal communities may be impacted. If sprint velocity suffers in the presence of cheatgrass stems for a wide range of small vertebrates, then it follows that the filling in of open space in semi-arid regions due to invasion of non-native grasses [e.g., invasion of the Sonoran desert by buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), Franklin et al 2006], may have widespread, negative consequences for animal communities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural changes in vegetation coincident with annual grass invasion negatively impacts sprint velocity of small vertebrates

2009

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Sagebrush ecosystems in the intermountain west of the United States are being threatened by conversion to the non-native grass, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). The dramatic shift in the physical structure of vegetation coincident with cheatgrass invasion likely has negative impacts on animal communities, yet these structural impacts have not been well-studied. In a previous study, dense cheatgrass stems reduced sprint velocity for the flattened, wide-bodied desert horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos). Here, we asked if a decrease in sprint velocity due to cheatgrass impediment can be generalized to the suite of small vertebrates inhabiting the sagebrush ecosystems of western Utah. We evaluated sprint performance of the common rodent (n = 3) and lizard (n = 4) species on two raceway types, cheatgrass and no-cheatgrass, and hypothesized that body size, body shape, and form of movement are important factors influencing sprint velocity through dense cheatgrass stems. All species showed significant reductions in speed on cheatgrass versus no-cheatgrass raceways, with percent reduction greatest for larger, wider, or hopping organisms compared to smaller, more slender, or running organisms. Of concern, surveys for rodents and lizards at our study areas support a common pattern: lower abundances of small vertebrates, as well as a loss of rodent species richness, in areas infested with cheatgrass compared to intact, native sagebrush communities. By extension, we expect a negative impact on animal communities in other semi-arid regions experiencing dramatic shifts in vegetation structure upon invasion by non-native grasses that are capable of forming dense stands in the interspaces of native desert plants [e.g., Sonoran desert invaded by buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare)].

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural changes in vegetation coincident with annual grass invasion negatively impacts sprint velocity of small vertebrates

2009

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“…But other studies have found no differences in per capita fledging success between nonnative and native grasslands (Jones & Bock 2005) or increasing nest survival associated with increasing cover of a non-native grass species at nests (Grant et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Effects of Native and Non‐Native Grassland Plant Communities on Breeding Passerine Birds: Implications for Restoration of Northwest Bunchgrass Prairie

Kennedy

DeBano

Bartuszevige

et al. 2009

Restoration Ecology

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One common problem encountered when restoring grasslands is the prominence of non-native plant species. It is unclear what effect non-native plants have on habitat quality of grassland passerines, which are among the most imperiled groups of birds. In 2004 and 2005, we compared patterns of avian reproduction and the mechanisms that might influence those patterns across a gradient of 13 grasslands in the Zumwalt Prairie in northeastern Oregon that vary in the degree of non-native plant cover (0.9-53.4%). We monitored the fate of 201 nests of all the breeding species in these pastures and found no association of percent non-native cover with nest densities, clutch size, productivity, nest survival, and nestling size. Regardless of the degree of non-native cover, birds primarily fed on Coleoptera, Orthoptera, and Araneae. But as percent nonnative cover in the pastures increased, Orthoptera made up a greater proportion of diet and Coleoptera made up a smaller proportion. These diet switches were not the result of changes in terrestrial invertebrate abundance but may be related to decreases in percent bare ground associated with increasing cover of non-native vegetation. Measures of nest crypticity were not associated with cover of non-native vegetation, suggesting that predation risk may not increase with increased cover of non-native vegetation. Thus, the study results show that increased nonnative cover is not associated with reduced food supplies or increased predation risk for nesting birds, supporting the growing body of evidence that grasslands with a mix of native and non-native vegetation can provide suitable habitat for native grassland breeding birds.

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“…An interesting example of the association between restoration and ecological traps comes from the link found between particular native birds and invasive plant species. In the south-western United States, restoration projects that removed invasive plants created threats to native bird populations [55], [56]. More generally, human-modified landscapes have previously been associated with population sinks and ecological traps [57], [58], [59].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential ‘Ecological Traps’ of Restored Landscapes: Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus Re-Occupy a Rehabilitated Mine Site

et al. 2013

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With progressively increasing anthropogenic habitat disturbances, restoration of impacted landscapes is becoming a critical element of biodiversity conservation. Evaluation of success in restoration ecology rarely includes faunal components, usually only encompassing abiotic and floral components of the ecosystems. Even when fauna is explicitly included, it is usually only species presence/absence criteria that are considered. If restoration is to have a positive outcome, however, populations in restored habitats should exhibit comparable survival and reproductive rates to populations found in undisturbed surroundings. If a species recolonises restored areas but later experiences decreased fitness, restored areas could become ecological sinks or traps. We investigated this possibility in a case study of koalas Phascolarctos cinereus occupying rehabilitated mining areas on North Stradbroke Island, Australia. Our holistic approach compared rehabilitated and undisturbed areas on the basis of their vegetation characteristics, of koalas' body condition, roosting trees, diet, as well as predator index. Koalas using rehabilitated areas appeared to be able to access an adequate supply of roosting and fodder trees, were in good condition and had high reproductive output. We did not find any significant differences in predator density between rehabilitated areas and undisturbed surroundings. The results presented in this study showed there was no evidence that the post-mining rehabilitated areas constitute ecological sinks or traps. However, to reach a definitive conclusion as to whether areas rehabilitated post-mining provide at least equivalent habitat to undisturbed locations, additional research could be undertaken to assess foliar nutrient/water/toxin differences and predation risk in rehabilitated areas compared with undisturbed areas. More generally, the evaluation of whether restoration successfully produces a functional ecological community should include criteria on the fitness of faunal populations reoccupying such sites, so as to ensure functioning ecosystems, rather than ecological sinks or traps, are the outcome.

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The Botteri's Sparrow and Exotic Arizona Grasslands: An Ecological Trap or Habitat Regained?

Cited by 42 publications

References 28 publications

Structural changes in vegetation coincident with annual grass invasion negatively impacts sprint velocity of small vertebrates

Structural changes in vegetation coincident with annual grass invasion negatively impacts sprint velocity of small vertebrates

Effects of Native and Non‐Native Grassland Plant Communities on Breeding Passerine Birds: Implications for Restoration of Northwest Bunchgrass Prairie

Potential ‘Ecological Traps’ of Restored Landscapes: Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus Re-Occupy a Rehabilitated Mine Site

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