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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 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.
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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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Overabundant Ungulates in French Sologne? Increasing red deer and wild boar pressure may not threaten woodland birds in mature forest stands
Basic and Applied Ecology, 2016Co-Authors: Marie Baltzinger, Anders Marell, Frédéric Archaux, Thomas Pérot, Franck Leterme, Marc DeconchatAbstract:Increasing Ungulate populations have been considered to drive changes in woodland bird communities in temperate and boreal forests. Ungulates may negatively affect understory-dependent woodland birds either directly or indirectly. For instance Ungulates may prey on nests, or they may reduce the availability of nesting sites, foraging resources or cover for understory-dependent bird species. We conducted Ungulate pressure, vegetation and bird surveys on 95 plots, in nineteen mature forest stands (9 fenced and 10 unfenced properties) located in the Sologne region (France). In such private forests, Ungulate population densities are highly variable; we were therefore able to explore the effects of varying red deer (Cervus elaphus) browsing and wild boar (Sus scrofa) rooting intensity on bird communities. Bayesian Binomial mixture models indicated that ground-nesting birds were more abundant in forests with high observed wild boar rooting intensity. Generally, increasing deer browsing pressure did not have any negative effect on woodland birds in mature forest stands with a developed canopy, and did not result in lower shrub cover. Most previous studies documenting a negative effect of browsing on birds focused on young forest stands where overstory vegetation was scarce. Our results suggest that the impact of Ungulate pressure on forest birds may decrease with forest stand age.
Steven L. Chown - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The extent and impacts of Ungulate translocations : South Africa in a global context
Biological Conservation, 2009Co-Authors: Dian Spear, Steven L. ChownAbstract:Despite the apparent risks of the introduction of non-indigenous Ungulates to biodiversity, relatively little is known globally about the pathways of introduction, propagule pressure and realized impacts of Ungulate introductions. These issues were examined here by investigating Ungulate introductions to South Africa within a global context. Across countries globally, introduced Ungulate richness is not related to indigenous Ungulate richness, and several countries are clear outliers. South Africa is second only to the USA in the number of Ungulate species introduced to date. Zoos have traded more Ungulate species and individuals to non-zoo recipients than to other zoos, highlighting the tensions that exist between in situ and ex situ conservation goals. Introductions to, and extralimital introductions within South Africa have increased through time, with propagule pressure being highest in areas with high human population density. The long distances Ungulates have been translocated raise concerns for genetic homogenization. Translocations of indigenous Ungulate species extralimitally have significantly altered range sizes, typically to a greater extent than is expected from range shifts associated with global climate change. Although Ungulate introductions and translocations are likely to have impacts on biodiversity, evidence for such impacts in South Africa, and elsewhere, is limited. Whilst arguments may be made for a precautionary approach to Ungulate introductions, an evidence-based one is much more likely to deliver efficient and convincing conservation decision-making.
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Non-indigenous Ungulates as a threat to biodiversity
Journal of Zoology, 2009Co-Authors: Dian Spear, Steven L. ChownAbstract:Non-indigenous Ungulate species pose a problem for conservation. They can be socially and economically valuable, but are also potentially harmful to biodiversity. Therefore, their introduction requires an explicit assessment of risk relative to benefit. To conduct such risk assessments, information regarding the impacts of non-indigenous Ungulates on biodiversity is required. Here, we review the available evidence for the biodiversity impacts of non-indigenous Ungulates. Hybridization, exploitation and apparent competition, vegetation impacts, predation, facilitation, trophic cascades and soil system functioning were assessed using a hierarchical set of criteria for the strength of the evidence. Strong evidence was lacking for risks posed by competition. Numerous reports exist of hybridization in captivity between Ungulate species that normally do not co-occur, but conclusive evidence for introgression in the wild was restricted to one case. Strong evidence (using exclosure experiments) for the impacts of introduced Ungulates on vegetation structure and composition was found and in some cases introduced Ungulates caused the extirpation of plant species. Predation by Sus scrofa is a substantial threat to island faunas and systems, and impacts on soil system functioning elsewhere have also been found. Facilitation by Ungulates has been shown to be substantial in promoting invasive plant species. By contrast, little evidence exists for apparent competition. The largest impacts from introduced Ungulates are likely to be in cases where they perform novel functions in the new environment. However, to determine which types of impacts are likely to be most problematic, further evidence is required, ideally from well-designed field experiments.
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Taxonomic homogenization in Ungulates: patterns and mechanisms at local and global scales
Journal of Biogeography, 2008Co-Authors: Dian Spear, Steven L. ChownAbstract:Aim The aim of this paper is to examine taxonomic homogenization in Ungulates globally and at the local scale in South Africa. Specifically, we aim to examine the roles of distance, scale, time, extinctions vs. introductions, and extralimital vs. extraregional introductions in the homogenization of Ungulate biotas, and to determine pathways of introduction of Ungulate species globally and the proximate explanatory variables of Ungulate introductions in South Africa. Location Forty-one countries globally and three spatial resolutions in South Africa. Methods Indigenous, extirpated and established introduced Ungulate species data were obtained for countries globally, and at a quarter-degree grid-cell resolution in South Africa. Homogenization was calculated using Jaccard’s index of similarity (JI) for countries globally and for three spatial resolutions in South Africa. Zoo holdings and transfer data from the International Species Information System database were used to investigate the relationship between non-indigenous Ungulate species introductions and the number of non-indigenous Ungulate species in zoos. Relationships between JI and species richness, and between numbers of introductions and several environmental and social factors were examined using generalized linear models. Results Homogenization in Ungulates was 2% for countries globally and 8% at the coarsest resolution in South Africa. Homogenization increased with increasing resolution and with time, but it decreased with increasing percentage change in species richness. Globally, introductions contributed more to homogenization than did extinctions. Within South Africa, extralimital introductions contributed more to the homogenization of Ungulate assemblages than did extraregional ones, and Ungulates were typically introduced to high-income areas with high human population and livestock densities. The same was not true in the past, when Ungulates were introduced to Ungulate species-poor areas. The number of non-indigenous Ungulate species established in a country is significantly related to the number of non-indigenous Ungulate species in zoos in the country, possibly owing to sales of surplus animals from zoos. Main conclusions Ungulate faunas are homogenized at both the global scale and in South Africa, with extralimital introductions being of considerable significance regionally. In consequence, increasing attention will have to be given to the conservation consequences of Ungulate translocations, both within particular geopolitical regions and across the globe.
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Taxonomic homogenization in Ungulates : patterns and mechanisms at local and global scales. Commentary
Journal of Biogeography, 2008Co-Authors: Michael L. Mckinney, Dian Spear, Steven L. ChownAbstract:Aim The aim of this paper is to examine taxonomic homogenization in Ungulates globally and at the local scale in South Africa. Specifically, we aim to examine the roles of distance, scale, time, extinctions vs. introductions, and extralimital vs. extraregional introductions in the homogenization of Ungulate biotas, and to determine pathways of introduction of Ungulate species globally and the proximate explanatory variables of Ungulate introductions in South Africa. Location Forty-one countries globally and three spatial resolutions in South Africa. Methods Indigenous, extirpated and established introduced Ungulate species data were obtained for countries globally, and at a quarter-degree grid-cell resolution in South Africa. Homogenization was calculated using Jaccard's index of similarity (JI) for countries globally and for three spatial resolutions in South Africa. Zoo holdings and transfer data from the International Species Information System database were used to investigate the relationship between non-indigenous Ungulate species introductions and the number of non-indigenous Ungulate species in zoos. Relationships between JI and species richness, and between numbers of introductions and several environmental and social factors were examined using generalized linear models. Results Homogenization in Ungulates was 2% for countries globally and 8% at the coarsest resolution in South Africa. Homogenization increased with increasing resolution and with time, but it decreased with increasing percentage change in species richness. Globally, introductions contributed more to homogenization than did extinctions. Within South Africa, extralimital introductions contributed more to the homogenization of Ungulate assemblages than did extraregional ones, and Ungulates were typically introduced to high-income areas with high human population and livestock densities. The same was not true in the past, when Ungulates were introduced to Ungulate species-poor areas. The number of non-indigenous Ungulate species established in a country is significantly related to the number of non-indigenous Ungulate species in zoos in the country, possibly owing to sales of surplus animals from zoos. Main conclusions Ungulate faunas are homogenized at both the global scale and in South Africa, with extralimital introductions being of considerable significance regionally. In consequence, increasing attention will have to be given to the conservation consequences of Ungulate translocations, both within particular geopolitical regions and across the globe.
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.
Frédéric Archaux - 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 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.
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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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Overabundant Ungulates in French Sologne? Increasing red deer and wild boar pressure may not threaten woodland birds in mature forest stands
Basic and Applied Ecology, 2016Co-Authors: Marie Baltzinger, Anders Marell, Frédéric Archaux, Thomas Pérot, Franck Leterme, Marc DeconchatAbstract:Increasing Ungulate populations have been considered to drive changes in woodland bird communities in temperate and boreal forests. Ungulates may negatively affect understory-dependent woodland birds either directly or indirectly. For instance Ungulates may prey on nests, or they may reduce the availability of nesting sites, foraging resources or cover for understory-dependent bird species. We conducted Ungulate pressure, vegetation and bird surveys on 95 plots, in nineteen mature forest stands (9 fenced and 10 unfenced properties) located in the Sologne region (France). In such private forests, Ungulate population densities are highly variable; we were therefore able to explore the effects of varying red deer (Cervus elaphus) browsing and wild boar (Sus scrofa) rooting intensity on bird communities. Bayesian Binomial mixture models indicated that ground-nesting birds were more abundant in forests with high observed wild boar rooting intensity. Generally, increasing deer browsing pressure did not have any negative effect on woodland birds in mature forest stands with a developed canopy, and did not result in lower shrub cover. Most previous studies documenting a negative effect of browsing on birds focused on young forest stands where overstory vegetation was scarce. Our results suggest that the impact of Ungulate pressure on forest birds may decrease with forest stand age.
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.
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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: Álvaro Navarro-castilla, 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.