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Anders Marell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ungulates increase forest plant species richness to the benefit of non-forest specialists
Global Change Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Vincent Boulanger, Frédéric Archaux, Christophe Baltzinger, Jean-luc Dupouey, Vincent Badeau, Richard Chevalier, Emmanuel Corcket, Yann Dumas, Françoise Forgeard, Anders MarellAbstract:Large wild ungulates are a major biotic factor shaping plant communities. They influence species abundance and occurrence directly by herbivory and plant dispersal, or indirectly by modifying plant-plant interactions and through soil disturbance. In forest ecosystems, researchers' attention has been mainly focused on deer overabundance. Far less is known about the effects on understory plant dynamics and diversity of wild ungulates where their abundance is maintained at lower levels to mitigate impacts on tree regeneration. We used vegetation data collected over 10 years on 82 pairs of Exclosure (excluding ungulates) and control plots located in a nation-wide forest monitoring network (Renecofor). We report the effects of ungulate exclusion on (i) plant species richness and ecological characteristics, (ii) and cover percentage of herbaceous and shrub layers. We also analyzed the response of these variables along gradients of ungulate abundance, based on hunting statistics, for wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Outside the Exclosures, forest ungulates maintained higher species richness in the herbaceous layer (+15%), while the shrub layer was 17% less rich, and the plant communities became more light-demanding. Inside the Exclosures, shrub cover increased, often to the benefit of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). Ungulates tend to favour ruderal, hemerobic, epizoochorous and non-forest species. Among plots, the magnitude of vegetation changes was proportional to deer abundance. We conclude that ungulates, through the control of the shrub layer, indirectly increase herbaceous plant species richness by increasing light reaching the ground. However, this increase is detrimental to the peculiarity of forest plant communities and contributes to a landscape-level biotic homogenization. Even at population density levels considered to be harmless for overall plant species richness, ungulates remain a conservation issue for plant community composition.
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ungulates increase forest plant species richness to the benefit of non forest specialists
Global Change Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Vincent Boulanger, Frédéric Archaux, Christophe Baltzinger, Jean-luc Dupouey, Vincent Badeau, Richard Chevalier, Emmanuel Corcket, Yann Dumas, Françoise Forgeard, Anders MarellAbstract:Large wild ungulates are a major biotic factor shaping plant communities. They influence species abundance and occurrence directly by herbivory and plant dispersal, or indirectly by modifying plant-plant interactions and through soil disturbance. In forest ecosystems, researchers’ attention has been mainly focused on deer overabundance. Far less is known about the effects on understory plant dynamics and diversity of wild ungulates where their abundance is maintained at lower levels to mitigate impacts on tree regeneration. We used vegetation data collected over ten years on 82 pairs of Exclosure (excluding ungulates) and control plots located in a nation-wide forest monitoring network (Renecofor). We report the effects of ungulate exclusion on (i) plant species richness and ecological characteristics, (ii) and cover percentage of herbaceous and shrub layers. We also analysed the response of these variables along gradients of ungulate abundance, based on hunting statistics, for wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Outside the Exclosures, forest ungulates maintained a higher species richness in the herbaceous layer (+15%), while the shrub layer was 17% less rich, and the plant communities became more light-demanding. Inside the Exclosures, shrub cover increased, often to the benefit of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). Ungulates tend to favour ruderal, hemerobic, epizoochorous and non-forest species. Among plots, the magnitude of vegetation changes was proportional to deer abundance. We conclude that ungulates, through the control of the shrub layer, indirectly increase herbaceous plant species richness by increasing light reaching the ground. However, this increase is detrimental to forest-specialist species, and contributes to a landscape-level biotic homogenisation. Even at population density levels considered to be harmless for overall plant species richness, ungulates remain a conservation issue for plant community composition.
Emiru Birhane - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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carbon sequestration and soil restoration potential of grazing lands under Exclosure management in a semi arid environment of northern ethiopia
Ecology and Evolution, 2019Co-Authors: Tsegay Gebregergs, Emiru Birhane, Zewdu K Tessema, Negasi SolomonAbstract:Exclosures are used to regenerate native vegetation as a way to reduce soil erosion, increase rain water infiltration and provide fodder and woody biomass in degraded grazing lands. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of grazing Exclosure on carbon sequestration and soil nutrients under 5 and 10 years of grazing Exclosures and freely grazed areas in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Carbon stocks and soil nutrients increased with increasing grazing exclusion. However, open grazing lands and 5 years of grazing Exclosure did not differ in above- and belowground carbon stocks. Moreover, 10 years of grazing Exclosure had a higher (p < 0.01) grass, herb and litter carbon stocks compared to 5 years Exclosure and open grazing lands. The total carbon stock was higher for 10 years Exclosure (75.65 t C ha-1) than the 5 years Exclosure (55.06 t C ha-1) and in open grazing areas (51.98 t C ha-1). Grazing lands closed for 10 years had a higher SOC, organic matter, total N, available P, and exchangeable K + and Na + compared to 5 year's Exclosure and open grazing lands. Therefore, establishment of grazing Exclosures had a positive effect in restoring degraded grazing lands, thus improving carbon sequestration potentials and soil nutrients.
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Effect of community-based soil and water conservation practices on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi types, spore densities, root colonization, and soil nutrients in the northern highlands of Ethiopia
SpringerOpen, 2018Co-Authors: Mengistu Welemariam, Fassil Kebede, Bobe Bedadi, Emiru BirhaneAbstract:Abstract Background Soil and water conservation measures (SWC) have a great practical significance to the restoration of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AMF). The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of decades long community-based soil and water conservation practices on arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi spore density, woody plant root colonization, and soil nutrients. Methods The SWC measures considered were stone terraces, Exclosures + stone terraces, Exclosures alone, and adjacent non-conserved open communal grazing lands. Soil and root samples were collected from the rhizosphere of matured woody plant species using systematic sampling from 10 m × 10 m plot based on slope positions. Spores were isolated using wet sieving and decanting method, while AMF fungal root colonization was done using the gridline intersection method. Results The study revealed that five major genera of AMF, including Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora, and Entrophospora were identified. Glomus was found to be the most abundant genera, which accounted for (52%) of the total spore density, followed by Acaulospora (18%). Besides, Exclosures had the highest total spore density (60%) being followed by stone terraces (23%), whereas the lowest (17%) spore density was recorded in the open communal grazing lands. Total root colonization among the treatments ranged from 48.6% in the open communal grazing lands to 68.7% in the Exclosure with terraces. Hyphal colonization was higher than arbuscular and vesicular colonization. The total colonization was in the order of Exclosure with terraces > Exclosure alone > terraces > non-conserved communal grazing lands. Conclusions Rehabilitating the communal grazing lands with terraces and Exclosure is an important approach for restoring AMF and regenerating the degraded lands
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changes in arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi spore density and root colonization of woody plants in response to Exclosure age and slope position in the highlands of tigray northern ethiopia
Journal of Arid Environments, 2017Co-Authors: Kahsay Aregawi, Emiru Birhane, Kidane GidayAbstract:The functional link between the aboveground systems and the below ground microorganisms in a plant system determines the restoration and re-establishment success of degraded ecosystems. This paper examined the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) spore density and root colonization in relation to slope position and age of Exclosures. The first age group had less than five years old, the second age group was 5–10 years old and the third age group had 10–15 years old Exclosure while the fourth age group had age between 15 and 20 years. The root and soil samples of 23 plant species that belong to 13 families from 12 sites of Exclosures and grazing land were collected and analyzed using the magnified intersection and wet sieving method from the highlands of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. . The AMF root colonization ranged from 24% to 96%. The lowest colonization was observed from plant species that belong to the grazing land, and the highest were from plant roots in Exclosures. The spore density was between 30 and 2980 of 100 g−1 of dry soil with the lowest from the grazing lands and the highest was from Exclosures of middle slope position. Glomus was the dominant AMF genus found in all soil from both land uses. A significant difference in spore density (p < 0.05) was observed between slope position and age of Exclosures. AMF root colonization positively correlated (P < 0.05) with spore density. Exclosures of middle slope showed high spore density and root colonization and it increased significantly with increasing age of Exclosures. The presence of abundant AMF spore in Exclosures indicated the role Exclosures played in the restoration of ecosystem health. Forestland restoration through Exclosures could facilitates the survival of planted and regenerated plants by providing enough AMF inoculum in the restored ecosystem. AMF spore density and colonization should be considered as an indicator of restoration in measuring success of restoration in the drylands.
Vincent Boulanger - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ungulates increase forest plant species richness to the benefit of non-forest specialists
Global Change Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Vincent Boulanger, Frédéric Archaux, Christophe Baltzinger, Jean-luc Dupouey, Vincent Badeau, Richard Chevalier, Emmanuel Corcket, Yann Dumas, Françoise Forgeard, Anders MarellAbstract:Large wild ungulates are a major biotic factor shaping plant communities. They influence species abundance and occurrence directly by herbivory and plant dispersal, or indirectly by modifying plant-plant interactions and through soil disturbance. In forest ecosystems, researchers' attention has been mainly focused on deer overabundance. Far less is known about the effects on understory plant dynamics and diversity of wild ungulates where their abundance is maintained at lower levels to mitigate impacts on tree regeneration. We used vegetation data collected over 10 years on 82 pairs of Exclosure (excluding ungulates) and control plots located in a nation-wide forest monitoring network (Renecofor). We report the effects of ungulate exclusion on (i) plant species richness and ecological characteristics, (ii) and cover percentage of herbaceous and shrub layers. We also analyzed the response of these variables along gradients of ungulate abundance, based on hunting statistics, for wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Outside the Exclosures, forest ungulates maintained higher species richness in the herbaceous layer (+15%), while the shrub layer was 17% less rich, and the plant communities became more light-demanding. Inside the Exclosures, shrub cover increased, often to the benefit of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). Ungulates tend to favour ruderal, hemerobic, epizoochorous and non-forest species. Among plots, the magnitude of vegetation changes was proportional to deer abundance. We conclude that ungulates, through the control of the shrub layer, indirectly increase herbaceous plant species richness by increasing light reaching the ground. However, this increase is detrimental to the peculiarity of forest plant communities and contributes to a landscape-level biotic homogenization. Even at population density levels considered to be harmless for overall plant species richness, ungulates remain a conservation issue for plant community composition.
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ungulates increase forest plant species richness to the benefit of non forest specialists
Global Change Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Vincent Boulanger, Frédéric Archaux, Christophe Baltzinger, Jean-luc Dupouey, Vincent Badeau, Richard Chevalier, Emmanuel Corcket, Yann Dumas, Françoise Forgeard, Anders MarellAbstract:Large wild ungulates are a major biotic factor shaping plant communities. They influence species abundance and occurrence directly by herbivory and plant dispersal, or indirectly by modifying plant-plant interactions and through soil disturbance. In forest ecosystems, researchers’ attention has been mainly focused on deer overabundance. Far less is known about the effects on understory plant dynamics and diversity of wild ungulates where their abundance is maintained at lower levels to mitigate impacts on tree regeneration. We used vegetation data collected over ten years on 82 pairs of Exclosure (excluding ungulates) and control plots located in a nation-wide forest monitoring network (Renecofor). We report the effects of ungulate exclusion on (i) plant species richness and ecological characteristics, (ii) and cover percentage of herbaceous and shrub layers. We also analysed the response of these variables along gradients of ungulate abundance, based on hunting statistics, for wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Outside the Exclosures, forest ungulates maintained a higher species richness in the herbaceous layer (+15%), while the shrub layer was 17% less rich, and the plant communities became more light-demanding. Inside the Exclosures, shrub cover increased, often to the benefit of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). Ungulates tend to favour ruderal, hemerobic, epizoochorous and non-forest species. Among plots, the magnitude of vegetation changes was proportional to deer abundance. We conclude that ungulates, through the control of the shrub layer, indirectly increase herbaceous plant species richness by increasing light reaching the ground. However, this increase is detrimental to forest-specialist species, and contributes to a landscape-level biotic homogenisation. Even at population density levels considered to be harmless for overall plant species richness, ungulates remain a conservation issue for plant community composition.
Isabel Barja - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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does ungulate disturbance mediate behavioural and physiological stress responses in algerian mice mus spretus a wild Exclosure experiment
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2017Co-Authors: Alvaro Navarrocastilla, Mario Díaz, Isabel BarjaAbstract:Ungulate densities increased recently in Mediterranean oak ecosystem where acorn-dispersing small rodents, like the Algerian mouse ( Mus spretus ), are keystone species. Recent work showed important effects of ungulates on the environment (vegetation and soil characteristics) influencing small mammal behaviour and population dynamics, but little is known on the physiological stress responses of small mammals to ungulates. We studied wild ungulate effects on habitat characteristics and whether ungulate pressure influenced both behavioural and physiological stress responses in wild populations of Algerian mice. We manipulated ungulates' presence by large Exclosures in Holm oak Quercus ilex open woodland with paired controls, where live trapping of Algerian mice was combined with a detailed evaluation of relevant habitat features for this rodent species such as vegetation height, cover and soil compaction. Further we analysed faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) in captured Algerian mice to test whether ungulate presence led to increased glucocorticoids. Fresh faecal samples from 92 different individuals captured with Sherman live traps were collected and analyzed by an enzyme immunoassay. Mouse abundance was higher inside ungulate Exclosures due to positive Exclosure effects on understory vegetation cover and soil compaction. Mice selected smaller trees with more area covered by resprouts, and this selection was stronger outside than inside Exclosures. FCM levels were higher in females than in males. FCM levels were positively correlated with soil compaction and inversely with tree canopy size; however, individuals showed higher FCM levels inside than outside Exclosures probably due to the higher local mouse abundance inside Exclosures. Mouse behaviour varied in relation to direct effects of wild ungulates on key habitat traits whereas physiological stress responses seemed to be mediated by the increased intraspecific competition, an indirect effect of wild ungulates.
Françoise Forgeard - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ungulates increase forest plant species richness to the benefit of non-forest specialists
Global Change Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Vincent Boulanger, Frédéric Archaux, Christophe Baltzinger, Jean-luc Dupouey, Vincent Badeau, Richard Chevalier, Emmanuel Corcket, Yann Dumas, Françoise Forgeard, Anders MarellAbstract:Large wild ungulates are a major biotic factor shaping plant communities. They influence species abundance and occurrence directly by herbivory and plant dispersal, or indirectly by modifying plant-plant interactions and through soil disturbance. In forest ecosystems, researchers' attention has been mainly focused on deer overabundance. Far less is known about the effects on understory plant dynamics and diversity of wild ungulates where their abundance is maintained at lower levels to mitigate impacts on tree regeneration. We used vegetation data collected over 10 years on 82 pairs of Exclosure (excluding ungulates) and control plots located in a nation-wide forest monitoring network (Renecofor). We report the effects of ungulate exclusion on (i) plant species richness and ecological characteristics, (ii) and cover percentage of herbaceous and shrub layers. We also analyzed the response of these variables along gradients of ungulate abundance, based on hunting statistics, for wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Outside the Exclosures, forest ungulates maintained higher species richness in the herbaceous layer (+15%), while the shrub layer was 17% less rich, and the plant communities became more light-demanding. Inside the Exclosures, shrub cover increased, often to the benefit of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). Ungulates tend to favour ruderal, hemerobic, epizoochorous and non-forest species. Among plots, the magnitude of vegetation changes was proportional to deer abundance. We conclude that ungulates, through the control of the shrub layer, indirectly increase herbaceous plant species richness by increasing light reaching the ground. However, this increase is detrimental to the peculiarity of forest plant communities and contributes to a landscape-level biotic homogenization. Even at population density levels considered to be harmless for overall plant species richness, ungulates remain a conservation issue for plant community composition.
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ungulates increase forest plant species richness to the benefit of non forest specialists
Global Change Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Vincent Boulanger, Frédéric Archaux, Christophe Baltzinger, Jean-luc Dupouey, Vincent Badeau, Richard Chevalier, Emmanuel Corcket, Yann Dumas, Françoise Forgeard, Anders MarellAbstract:Large wild ungulates are a major biotic factor shaping plant communities. They influence species abundance and occurrence directly by herbivory and plant dispersal, or indirectly by modifying plant-plant interactions and through soil disturbance. In forest ecosystems, researchers’ attention has been mainly focused on deer overabundance. Far less is known about the effects on understory plant dynamics and diversity of wild ungulates where their abundance is maintained at lower levels to mitigate impacts on tree regeneration. We used vegetation data collected over ten years on 82 pairs of Exclosure (excluding ungulates) and control plots located in a nation-wide forest monitoring network (Renecofor). We report the effects of ungulate exclusion on (i) plant species richness and ecological characteristics, (ii) and cover percentage of herbaceous and shrub layers. We also analysed the response of these variables along gradients of ungulate abundance, based on hunting statistics, for wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Outside the Exclosures, forest ungulates maintained a higher species richness in the herbaceous layer (+15%), while the shrub layer was 17% less rich, and the plant communities became more light-demanding. Inside the Exclosures, shrub cover increased, often to the benefit of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). Ungulates tend to favour ruderal, hemerobic, epizoochorous and non-forest species. Among plots, the magnitude of vegetation changes was proportional to deer abundance. We conclude that ungulates, through the control of the shrub layer, indirectly increase herbaceous plant species richness by increasing light reaching the ground. However, this increase is detrimental to forest-specialist species, and contributes to a landscape-level biotic homogenisation. Even at population density levels considered to be harmless for overall plant species richness, ungulates remain a conservation issue for plant community composition.