The effects of cell grazing on the longevity of spider burrows, and the potential consequences for the endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard

The impact of sheep grazing on burrows for pygmy bluetongue lizards and on burrow digging spiders

“…However, few studies have focused specifically on how grazing pressure and sheep trampling influence burrowing spiders and burrow persistence. Sharp, Schofield & Fenner () compared the relative impact of cell grazing and set stocking, two alternative sheep grazing regimes, and reported no significant differences in lizard or spider population abundance, or on burrow longevity. They suggested that burrow destruction by grazing sheep may play a relatively minor role in spider and lizard population dynamics.…”