Ungulates can control tree invasions: experimental evidence from nonnative conifers and sheep herbivory

Nasca, L. B. Zamora; Relva, María Andrea; Núñez, Martín A.

doi:10.1007/s10530-017-1558-2

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Even though P. contorta was preferred by sheep in the present study, we observed in a previous study that the stocking rate implemented will determine the effectiveness of the invasion control 49 . The stocking rate must be estimated taking into account the palatability, the pine age, the regeneration rate, and the degree of invasion of the focal species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…α is the baseline probability, β 1 is the regression coefficient that represents the effects of foliar toughness; β 2 is the regression coefficient that represents the effects of water content. www.nature.com/scientificreports/ Even though P. contorta was preferred by sheep in the present study, we observed in a previous study that the stocking rate implemented will determine the effectiveness of the invasion control 49 . The stocking rate must be estimated taking into account the palatability, the pine age, the regeneration rate, and the degree of invasion of the focal species.…”

Section: Modelmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Ledgard 48 observed that in New Zealand, even low stocking rates of sheep reduced the successful establishment of Pinus contorta seedlings younger than two years old. However, for efficient control, it is necessary more intensive browsing to impede the establishment of new seedlings 49 . Crozier and Ledgard 50 assessed the palatability of seven pine species to sheep in New Zealand.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, we established the enclosures adjacent to each other, and no sheep were alone, so as not to alter their gregarious behavior. A similar design was used successfully in previous studies in the region 49,60 . Environmental conditions and forage availability between enclosures corresponding to a replicate were similar.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Sheep feeding preference as a tool to control pine invasion in Patagonia: influence of foliar toughness, terpenoids and resin content

Zamora‐Nasca

Dimarco

Nassini

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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The effects of ungulates on pine invasions are variable across studies: some studies suggest that they promoted the invasion 22, 24-26 and others suggest that they hinder the pine invasion 27-30. For example, it was proposed that sheep and cows could favor the Pinus sylvestris and Pinus mugo invasion process in Spain, while Abies alba could be controlled by these ungulates in the same areas, possibly, because of its higher sensitivity to herbivory damage 31. Other studies observed that exotic invasive deer preferred native species over the exotic Pinaceae species Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa in Argentina 22, 24. Lastly, in another study, it was observed that feral horses could have promoted the establishment of Pinus halepensis seedlings after a long period of grazing in Argentinean Pampean grasslands 26. Among the studies that suggest that ungulates could be controlling pine invasions; it was observed that semi-feral cattle and sheep prevent the regeneration of Pinus nigra and Pinus sylvestris in France 28, 29. Finally, it was suggested that exotic vertebrates herbivores negatively affected Pinus radiata survival in Mediterranean areas of Chile 30. These opposing results may be due to distinctive characteristics of ungulates; such as its behavior, physiology, habits, and origin; as well as intrinsic characteristics of the plant such as phenology, plant morphology, and palatability 32-36. Regarding plant palatability, the plant nutritional quality (e.g. proportion of fiber and water content), its physical characteristics (e.g. leaf toughness and trichomes), and their secondary metabolites (e.g. alkaloids and monoterpenes) are important traits that affect the ungulate preference 32-34, 37. Particularly for mammalian herbivores, in several studies, the preference between conifer species was related to the type and concentrations of secondary compounds 38-44. For example, total foliar monoterpenes concentration influenced negatively the browsing behavior of Red deer (Cervus elaphus) 38 and Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) 39. However, chemical defenses vary greatly between different conifer species and even between genotypes within a species, causing palatability to differ 45, 46. Among ungulates, it is known that sheep exhibit high plasticity in feeding preference, and even though they are considered grazers herbivores, they have been used to successfully control weeds because they can consume plants with higher fiber content than can other domestic ungulates 47. Although studies are scarce, it has been suggested that regular sheep browsing could limit the spread of species in the Pinaceae family. Ledgard 48 observed that in New Zealand, even low stocking rates of sheep reduced the successful establishment of Pinus contorta seedlings younger than two years old. However, for efficient control, it is necessary more intensive browsing to impede the establishment of new seedlings 49. Crozier and Ledgard 50 assessed the palatability of seven pine species to sheep in New Zealand. They foun...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Section: Modelmentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Sheep feeding preference as a tool to control pine invasion in Patagonia: influence of foliar toughness, terpenoids and resin content

Zamora‐Nasca

Dimarco

Nassini

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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“…Grazing by rats, rabbits, sheep, and cattle exerts negative impacts on the regeneration of pine seedlings in many areas (e.g., P. contorta, P. radiata var. binata, and P. sylvestris) (Nasca, Relva, & Núñez, 2018;Richardson et al, 2007). Several pine taxa with small ranges are facing the threat of extinction through habitat transformation, heavy utilization, and other factors associated with human actions.…”

Section: Human-mediated Pine Dominancementioning

confidence: 99%

Insights on the persistence of pines (Pinusspecies) in the Late Cretaceous and their increasing dominance in the Anthropocene

Singh¹,

Inderjit

Singh

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Although gymnosperms were nearly swept away by the rise of the angiosperms in the Late Cretaceous, conifers, and pines (Pinus species) in particular, survived and regained their dominance in some habitats. Diversification of pines into fire‐avoiding (subgenus Haploxylon) and fire‐adapted (subgenus Diploxylon) species occurred in response to abiotic and biotic factors in the Late Cretaceous such as competition with emerging angiosperms and changing fire regimes. Adaptations/traits that evolved in response to angiosperm‐fuelled fire regimes and stressful environments in the Late Cretaceous were key to pine success and are also contributing to a new “pine rise” in some areas in the Anthropocene. Human‐mediated activities exert both positive and negative impacts of range size and expansion and invasions of pines. Large‐scale afforestation with pines, human‐mediated changes to fire regimes, and other ecosystem processes are other contributing factors. We discuss traits that evolved in response to angiosperm‐mediated fires and stressful environments in the Cretaceous and that continue to contribute to pine persistence and dominance and the numerous ways in which human activities favor pines.

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The enemy of my enemy… Exotic mammals present biotic resistance against invasive alien conifers

Carlin,

Paul,

Dudenhoeffer

et al. 2024

Biol Invasions

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Plant invasions are a widespread and recurring phenomenon that cause significant economic and environmental damage. Invasive alien conifers are weeds that are not only costly to manage, but consistently reinvade after management efforts. Understanding how many seeds survive to germinate is a key part in understanding the weed life cycle puzzle. Here we investigated the contribution that seed predators have on reducing invasive alien conifer seed survival across both invaded and uninvaded habitats in Aotearoa New Zealand. We combined quantitative and qualitative experiments to measure seed predation across invaded and uninvaded habitats, as well as to identify which fauna are the most prolific seed predators. We utilised ex-situ empirical evidence with in-situ observations to provide realistic impacts from different seed predator species. We found that introduced mammals, particularly rodents, were the primary seed predators of invasive conifers. Seed predation pressure was highest in herbicide treated invasive alien conifer forests, indigenous beech forests, and managed pasture containing grazing livestock. Indigenous tussock areas support fewer vertebrate seed predators and as a result are particularly vulnerable to conifer invasion. The majority of seed predation occurs within the first two weeks post-dispersal. These results suggest that introduced mammal control operations, which are essential to protect endemic New Zealand species, will likely result in increasing invasive conifer populations by reducing seed predation pressure. Seed predation varies greatly between habitats, suggesting invasion and reinvasion rates are higher in ungrazed areas of lower forest density that support fewer introduced mammals.

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Ungulates can control tree invasions: experimental evidence from nonnative conifers and sheep herbivory

Cited by 7 publications

References 53 publications

Sheep feeding preference as a tool to control pine invasion in Patagonia: influence of foliar toughness, terpenoids and resin content

Sheep feeding preference as a tool to control pine invasion in Patagonia: influence of foliar toughness, terpenoids and resin content

Insights on the persistence of pines (Pinusspecies) in the Late Cretaceous and their increasing dominance in the Anthropocene

The enemy of my enemy… Exotic mammals present biotic resistance against invasive alien conifers

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