Environmental Science › Ecology

Ecology and biodiversity studies

Works Count: 40801

Wikipedia

Description

This cluster of papers explores the ecological impact of beavers (Castor fiber and Castor canadensis) on various ecosystems, focusing on their role as ecosystem engineers, the influence of beaver dams on biodiversity and habitat restoration, and the geomorphological and hydrological effects of beaver activities. The papers also investigate the interactions between beavers and other species, such as fish, amphibians, and waterbirds.

Keywords

Beaver Dams; Ecosystem Engineering; Habitat Restoration; Biodiversity; Riparian Areas; Wetland Development; Stream Ecology; Invasive Species; Geomorphological Effects; Species Richness

Ecology of Shallow Lakes

2004-01-01

Marten Scheffer

The science of overabundance : deer ecology and population management

1997-01-01

William J. McShea , H. Brian Underwood , John H. Rappole

The atlas of European mammals

2000-05-01

A. Mitchell‐Jones , Giovanni Amori , Wiesław Bogdanowicz +7 more

Dedication. Lists of Country Coordinators, Artists and Authors. Preface. History and Overview of the Project. Introduction. Acknowledgments. List of Species Described. The Species Accounts. Appendix 1: List of European Mammal … Dedication. Lists of Country Coordinators, Artists and Authors. Preface. History and Overview of the Project. Introduction. Acknowledgments. List of Species Described. The Species Accounts. Appendix 1: List of European Mammal Species with Their International Legal and Conservation Status. Appendix 2: Addresses of Country Coordinators. Literature.

Lake Sediments and Environmental History

1985-09-17

T.A. Ehlke

This book is a collection of review papers covering a wide range of scientific disciplines dealing with paleolimnology and paleoecology. It is dedicated to Winifred Tutin of the Freshwater Biological … This book is a collection of review papers covering a wide range of scientific disciplines dealing with paleolimnology and paleoecology. It is dedicated to Winifred Tutin of the Freshwater Biological Association, Ambleside, U.K.

Control of a Desert-Grassland Transition by a Keystone Rodent Guild

1990-12-21

James H. Brown , Edward Heske

Twelve years after three species of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) were removed from plots of Chihuahuan Desert shrub habitat, density of tall perennial and annual grasses had increased approximately threefold … Twelve years after three species of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) were removed from plots of Chihuahuan Desert shrub habitat, density of tall perennial and annual grasses had increased approximately threefold and rodent species typical of arid grassland had colonized. These were just the most recent and drmatic in a series of changes in plants and animals caused by experimental exclusion of Dipodomys. In this ecosystem kangaroo rats are a keystone guild: through seed predation and soil disturbance they have major effects on biological diversity and biogeochemical processes.

The Beaver Dam Eye Study

1992-01-01

Ronald Klein , Scot E. Moss , Kathryn L.P. Linton

The Beaver Dam Health Outcomes study

1993-06-01

Dennis G. Fryback , Erik J. Dasbach , Ronald Klein +3 more

The Beaver Dam Health Outcomes Study (BDHOS) is an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of health status and health-related quality of life for a random sample of adults (age range at … The Beaver Dam Health Outcomes Study (BDHOS) is an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of health status and health-related quality of life for a random sample of adults (age range at interview was 45 to 89 years; mean = 64.1, SD = 10.8) in a community population. In a face-to-face interview lasting approximately an hour, each participant responds to several batteries of questions. Included are a history of chronic medical conditions, current medications, and past surgeries; the SF-36 (a general health-status questionnaire); the Quality of Well-being index; self-rated health status on a five-point scale from "excellent" to "poor"; and evaluation of current health using the method of time tradeoffs. The authors present results from 1,356 interviews on these four principal measures, reporting mean scores by sex, by age, and for persons reporting being affected by various medical conditions. They believe data from the BDHOS will provide researchers and policy makers a reference collection of vital statistics for health-related quality of life. Additionally, the data provide a way to compare results from studies that utilize different indices from among the four principal measures of the BDHOS.

Ecosystem Alteation of Boreal Forest Streams by Beaver (Castor Canadensis)

1986-10-01

Robert J. Naiman , Jerry M. Melillo , John E. Hobbie

Historical Change of Large Alluvial Rivers: Western Europe

1990-03-01

B. Webb , Geoffrey E. Petts , Heike Möller +1 more

Historical analysis of fluvial hydrosystems, G.E.Petts impact of 18th and 19th century river training works - three case studies from Switzerland, D.Vischer hydro-climatic fluctuations of some European rivers since 1800, … Historical analysis of fluvial hydrosystems, G.E.Petts impact of 18th and 19th century river training works - three case studies from Switzerland, D.Vischer hydro-climatic fluctuations of some European rivers since 1800, J.L.Probst hydrological changes of the Rhone river, H.Vivian use of cartographic sources for analyzing river channel change with examples from Britain, J.M.Hooke and C.E.Redmond cartography of rivers in France, J.-P.Bravard and J.Bethemont evolution of the Po river - an example of the application of historical maps, G.Braga and S.Gervasoni evidence for historical heavy metal pollution in floodplain soils - the Meuse, M.C.Rang and C.J.Shouten palaeoecological analysis of large rivers - some principles and methods, C.Amoros and G.van Urk the Lower Rhine - geomorphological changes, G.van Urk and H.Smit the Lower Rhine - palaeoecological analysis, A.Klink changes in fish stocks and fisheries - the lower Elbe river, H.Moller changes of the fish fauna of the River Duero, J.Lobon-Cervia et al fish and fisheries of the River Ebro - present state and recent history, A.de Sostoa and J.Lobon-Cervia historical changes of the Garonne River, southern France, H.Decamps et al recent historical changes of the Belgian Meuse, J.C.Micha and M.-C.Borlee historical changes of the River Weser, D.Busch et al ecological changes of the French Upper Rhone since 1750, A.L.Roux et al.

Energy Expenditures for Locomotion by Mule Deer and Elk

1984-04-01

Katherine L. Parker , Charles T. Robbins , Thomas A. Hanley

Biological diversity: The coexistence of species on changing landscapes

1995-07-01

James R. Karr

What Do Species Do in Ecosystems?

1994-12-01

John H. Lawton

Three aspects of the role of species in ecosystems are reviewed. (1) Theoretically, what are the possible relationships between ecosystem processes (Likens' (1992) transformation and flux of energy and matter) … Three aspects of the role of species in ecosystems are reviewed. (1) Theoretically, what are the possible relationships between ecosystem processes (Likens' (1992) transformation and flux of energy and matter) and the species richness of communities ? (2) Summaries of two experiments with artificially constructed terrestrial ecosystems in the controlled environment facility known as the Ecotron are described. The first draws attention to the role of earthworms as ecosystem engineers; the second explores changes in ecosystem processes in mesocosms assembled with three different levels of biological diversity

Patch Dynamics in Lotic Systems: The Stream as a Mosaic

1988-12-01

Catherine M. Pringle , Robert J. Naiman , Gernot Bretschko +5 more

This paper applies concepts of landscape ecology and patch dynamics to lotic systems. We present a framework for the investigation of pattern and process in lotic ecosystems that considers how … This paper applies concepts of landscape ecology and patch dynamics to lotic systems. We present a framework for the investigation of pattern and process in lotic ecosystems that considers how specific patch characteristics determine biotic and abiotic processes over various scales. Patch characteristics include: size, size distribution within the landscape, juxtaposition, diversity, duration, and mechanisms affecting patch formation. Several topics of current interest in lotic ecology are examined from a patch-dynamics perspective: (1) response of periphyton communities to nutrient patches; (2) effects of patch dynamics on nutrient spiralling; (3) riparian patch dynamics and effects of leaf litter characteristics on lotic food webs; (4) beaver-induced patch dynamics; and (5) patch dynamics of river floodplains. We conclude that a patch-dynamics perspective coupled with a strong experimental approach can enhance the utility and predictive power of unifying concepts in lotic ecology, such as the river continuum hypothesis and nutrient spiralling, through its focus on organismal and process-specific building blocks of lotic systems. The effectiveness of a patch-dynamics approach as a framework for the study of lotic systems lies in the strength of the linkage between reductionist and whole-stream perspectives.

Trophic cascades in Yellowstone: The first 15years after wolf reintroduction

2011-12-15

William J. Ripple , Robert L. Beschta

The Petrels: Their Ecology and Breeding Systems

1991-01-01

Anthony J. Gaston , John Warham

Species: The units of biodiversity

1997-11-01

James Mallet

Fragmentation and Flow Regulation of River Systems in the Northern Third of the World

1994-11-04

Mats Dynesius , Christer Nilsson

Seventy-seven percent of the total water discharge of the 139 largest river systems in North America north of Mexico, in Europe, and in the republics of the former Soviet Union … Seventy-seven percent of the total water discharge of the 139 largest river systems in North America north of Mexico, in Europe, and in the republics of the former Soviet Union is strongly or moderately affected by fragmentation of the river channels by dams and by water regulation resulting from reservoir operation, interbasin diversion, and irrigation. The remaining free-flowing large river systems are relatively small and nearly all situated in the far north, as are the 59 medium-sized river systems of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. These conditions indicate that many types of river ecosystems have been lost and that the populations of many riverine species have become highly fragmented. To improve the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources, immediate action is called for to create an international preservation network of free-flowing river systems and to rehabilitate exploited rivers in areas that lack unaffected watercourses.

White-Tailed Deer: Ecology and Management

1985-10-01

C. W. Severinghaus , Lowell K. Halls

The Exchange of Dissolved Substances Between Mud and Water in Lakes

1941-08-01

Clifford H. Mortimer

An assessment of the published results of animal relocations

2000-11-01

Joern Fischer , David B. Lindenmayer

Eco-evolutionary feedbacks in community and ecosystem ecology: interactions between the ecological theatre and the evolutionary play

2009-05-04

David M. Post , Eric P. Palkovacs

Interactions between natural selection and environmental change are well recognized and sit at the core of ecology and evolutionary biology. Reciprocal interactions between ecology and evolution, eco-evolutionary feedbacks, are less … Interactions between natural selection and environmental change are well recognized and sit at the core of ecology and evolutionary biology. Reciprocal interactions between ecology and evolution, eco-evolutionary feedbacks, are less well studied, even though they may be critical for understanding the evolution of biological diversity, the structure of communities and the function of ecosystems. Eco-evolutionary feedbacks require that populations alter their environment (niche construction) and that those changes in the environment feed back to influence the subsequent evolution of the population. There is strong evidence that organisms influence their environment through predation, nutrient excretion and habitat modification, and that populations evolve in response to changes in their environment at time-scales congruent with ecological change (contemporary evolution). Here, we outline how the niche construction and contemporary evolution interact to alter the direction of evolution and the structure and function of communities and ecosystems. We then present five empirical systems that highlight important characteristics of eco-evolutionary feedbacks: rotifer-algae chemostats; alewife-zooplankton interactions in lakes; guppy life-history evolution and nutrient cycling in streams; avian seed predators and plants; and tree leaf chemistry and soil processes. The alewife-zooplankton system provides the most complete evidence for eco-evolutionary feedbacks, but other systems highlight the potential for eco-evolutionary feedbacks in a wide variety of natural systems.

View PDF Chat

Ecological impact of beaversCastor fiberandCastor canadensisand their ability to modify ecosystems

2005-07-01

Frank Rosell , ORSOLYA BOZSÉR , Peter Collen +1 more

1 The genus Castor comprises two species: the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber, and the North American beaver Castor canadensis. Both species suffered from overexploitation, but have seen a revival since … 1 The genus Castor comprises two species: the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber, and the North American beaver Castor canadensis. Both species suffered from overexploitation, but have seen a revival since the 1920s due to increased protection and reintroduction programmes. Increases in the populations and distributions of species that are able to modify ecosystems have generated much scientific interest. Here we review the available literature concerning the possible ecological impact of beaver species in the Old and New World. 2 Beavers, being ecosystem engineers, are among the few species besides humans that can significantly change the geomorphology, and consequently the hydrological characteristics and biotic properties of the landscape. In so doing, beavers increase heterogeneity, and habitat and species diversity at the landscape scale. Beaver foraging also has a considerable impact on the course of ecological succession, species composition and structure of plant communities, making them a good example of ecologically dominant species (e.g. keystone species). 3 Nevertheless, the strength of beavers’ impact varies from site to site, depending on the geographical location, relief and the impounded habitat type. Consequently, they may not be significant controlling agents of the ecosystem in all parts of their distribution, but have strong interactions only under certain circumstances. We suggest that beavers can create important management opportunities in the Holarctic, and this review will help land managers determine the likely outcome of beaver activity.

View PDF Chat

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ORGANISMS AS PHYSICAL ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS

1997-10-01

Clive G. Jones , John H. Lawton , Moshe Shachak

Physical ecosystem engineers are organisms that directly or indirectly control the availability of resources to other organisms by causing physical state changes in biotic or abiotic materials. Physical ecosystem engineering … Physical ecosystem engineers are organisms that directly or indirectly control the availability of resources to other organisms by causing physical state changes in biotic or abiotic materials. Physical ecosystem engineering by organisms is the physical modification, maintenance, or creation of habitats. Ecological effects of engineers on many other species occur in virtually all ecosystems because the physical state changes directly create nonfood resources such as living space, directly control abiotic resources, and indirectly modulate abiotic forces that, in turn, affect resource use by other organisms. Trophic interactions and resource competition do not constitute engineering. Engineering can have significant or trivial effects on other species, may involve the physical structure of an organism (like a tree) or structures made by an organism (like a beaver dam), and can, but does not invariably, have feedback effects on the engineer. We argue that engineering has both negative and positive effects on species richness and abundances at small scales, but the net effects are probably positive at larger scales encompassing engineered and nonengineered environments in ecological and evolutionary space and time. Models of the population dynamics of engineers suggest that the engineer/habitat equilibrium is often, but not always, locally stable and may show long-term cycles, with potential ramifications for community and ecosystem stability. As yet, data adequate to parameterize such a model do not exist for any engineer species. Because engineers control flows of energy and materials but do not have to participate in these flows, energy, mass, and stoichiometry do not appear to be useful in predicting which engineers will have big effects. Empirical observations suggest some potential generalizations about which species will be important engineers in which ecosystems. We point out some of the obvious, and not so obvious, ways in which engineering and trophic relations interact, and we call for greater research on physical ecosystem engineers, their impacts, and their interface with trophic relations.

An ecosystem engineer, the beaver, increases species richness at the landscape scale

2002-06-01

Justin P. Wright , Clive G. Jones , Alexander S. Flecker

Wolves and the Ecology of Fear: Can Predation Risk Structure Ecosystems?

2004-01-01

William J. Ripple , Robert L. Beschta

We investigated how large carnivores, herbivores, and plants may be linked to the maintenance of native species biodiversity through trophic cascades. The extirpation of wolves (Canis lupus) from Yellowstone National … We investigated how large carnivores, herbivores, and plants may be linked to the maintenance of native species biodiversity through trophic cascades. The extirpation of wolves (Canis lupus) from Yellowstone National Park in the mid-1920s and their reintroduction in 1995 provided the opportunity to examine the cascading effects of carnivore–herbivore interactions on woody browse species, as well as ecological responses involving riparian functions, beaver (Castor canadensis) populations, and general food webs. Our results indicate that predation risk may have profound effects on the structure of ecosystems and is an important constituent of native biodiversity. Our conclusions are based on theory involving trophic cascades, predation risk, and optimal foraging; on the research literature; and on our own recent studies in Yellowstone National Park. Additional research is needed to understand how the lethal effects of predation interact with its nonlethal effects to structure ecosystems.

View PDF Chat

Threatened Birds of the World

2001-01-01

Daniel Simberloff

View PDF Chat

Alteration of North American Streams by Beaver

1988-12-01

Robert J. Naiman , Carol A. Johnston , James C. Kelley

Journal Article Alteration of North American Streams by Beaver: The structure and dynamics of streams are changing as beaver recolonize their historic habitat Get access Robert J. Naiman, Robert J. … Journal Article Alteration of North American Streams by Beaver: The structure and dynamics of streams are changing as beaver recolonize their historic habitat Get access Robert J. Naiman, Robert J. Naiman Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Carol A. Johnston, Carol A. Johnston Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar James C. Kelley James C. Kelley Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar BioScience, Volume 38, Issue 11, December 1988, Pages 753–762, https://doi.org/10.2307/1310784 Published: 01 December 1988

Tooth Development and Wear as Criteria of Age in White-Tailed Deer

1949-04-01

C. W. Severinghaus

Handbuch der Vogel Mitteleuropas

1970-01-01

Kai Curry-Lindahi , Kurt Bauer , Urs N. Glutz von Blotzheim +1 more

Wild Mammals of North America.

1983-08-01

T. H. Clutton‐Brock , Joseph A. Chapman , George A. Feldhamer

Animal-Sediment Relations

1982-01-01

Peter L. McCall , Michael J. S. Tevesz

Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian Mammals 1758 to 1946

1952-08-01

W. H. Burt , J. R. Ellerman , T. C. S. Morrison‐Scott

Journal Article Ellerman, J. R., and T. C. S. Morrison-Scott. Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian Mammals 1758 to 1946. London. British Museum (Natural History), 810 pp., 1 map, 19 November … Journal Article Ellerman, J. R., and T. C. S. Morrison-Scott. Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian Mammals 1758 to 1946. London. British Museum (Natural History), 810 pp., 1 map, 19 November 1951. Price, 3 pounds 5 shillings Get access Ellerman J. R. Morrison-Scott T. C. S.Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian Mammals 1758 to 1946. London. British Museum (Natural History), 810 pp., 1 map, 19 November 1951. Price, 3 pounds 5 shillings. William H. Burt William H. Burt Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 33, Issue 3, August 1952, Pages 401–402, https://doi.org/10.2307/1375778 Published: 01 August 1952

View PDF Chat

A quantitative method of habitat description

1970-01-01

Frances C. James

Global Biodiversity Assessment.

1996-05-01

R. Hengeveld , V. H. Heywood

Physiological ecology of animals : an evolutionary approach

1986-01-01

Richard M. Sibly , Peter Calow

Introduction Feeding and digestion Costs of living Reproduction Growth Constraints of size Classifying habitats by selection pressure A more general model. Introduction Feeding and digestion Costs of living Reproduction Growth Constraints of size Classifying habitats by selection pressure A more general model.

Die Tierwelt Deutschlands

1926-12-01

Carnivore Conservation

2003-01-01

Michael R. Pelton , John L. Gittleman , S. M. Funk +2 more

Canadian Museum of Nature Fish Collection

2024-01-01

Kamal Khidas

Our Fish Collection contains more than 754 190 specimens in 63 655 lots of fluid-preserved specimens. We have about 1740 type specimens that are mainly paratypes. We have a good … Our Fish Collection contains more than 754 190 specimens in 63 655 lots of fluid-preserved specimens. We have about 1740 type specimens that are mainly paratypes. We have a good representation of freshwater and marine species, predominately from North American high latitudes. The museum holds the best Canadian Arctic and lamprey collection in the world.

Mammalogy Collection - Royal Ontario Museum

2018-01-01

Bradley Millen

The Mammal collection consists of 120,000 skins, skeletons, wet specimens and is strong in Chiroptera and New World Rodents. The geographic strengths are Ontario (pre-1985), Guyana, Suriname, Colombia, southeastern Asia, … The Mammal collection consists of 120,000 skins, skeletons, wet specimens and is strong in Chiroptera and New World Rodents. The geographic strengths are Ontario (pre-1985), Guyana, Suriname, Colombia, southeastern Asia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Approximately 24,000 of the more recent voucher specimens have associated frozen tissues.

Birds to Watch 2: The World List of Threatened Birds

1996-01-01

Nigel Collar , M. J. Crosby , Alison J. Stattersfield

Birds in Europe: their conservation status

1996-10-01

G. M. Tucker , Melanie Heath , Caroline M. Socha

Kangaroos, wallabies and rat-kangaroos

1989-01-01

Gordon C. Grigg , Peter J. Jarman , Ian D. Hume

Wildlife in a changing world : an analysis of the 2008 IUCN red list of threatened species

2009-01-01

Jean‐Christophe Vié , Craig Hilton‐Taylor , Simon N. Stuart

Wildlife in a Changing World presents an analysis of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Beginning with an explanation of the IUCN Red List as a key conservation … Wildlife in a Changing World presents an analysis of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Beginning with an explanation of the IUCN Red List as a key conservation tool, it goes on to discuss the state of the worlds species and provides the latest information on the patterns of species facing extinction in some of the most important ecosystems in the world, highlighting the reasons behind their declining status. Areas of focus in the report include: freshwater biodiversity, the status of the worlds marine species, species susceptibility to climate change impacts, the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, and broadening the coverage of biodiversity assessments.

Hemeroby reveals the dynamics of vegetation cover following the destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir

2025-06-25

O. I. Lisovets , Serhiy Podorozhniy , H. Tutova +3 more | PeerJ

Floodplain ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating hydrological regimes, conserving biodiversity, and providing essential ecosystem services. The destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir in June 2023 … Floodplain ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating hydrological regimes, conserving biodiversity, and providing essential ecosystem services. The destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir in June 2023 resulted in a large-scale environmental disaster that profoundly affected both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Lower Dnipro region. This study was conducted in the floodplain ecosystems of Khortytsia Island (Ukraine) to assess vegetation changes in response to altered hydrological conditions. Phytosociological mapping of the vegetation cover was performed, and the concept of hemeroby was employed to evaluate the level of anthropogenic transformation of plant communities. Phytoindication scales were utilized to characterize environmental conditions, including humidity, light, and soil properties. Following the destruction of the reservoir, significant changes in the water regime led to the degradation of floodplain water bodies, the expansion of sandy open areas, and the formation of new ecotopes. Twelve distinct plant community associations were identified, each differing in ecological preferences and sensitivity to anthropogenic disturbances. Principal component analysis revealed that most of the variability in plant community composition is explained by gradients in humidity, trophic status, and light availability, all of which are closely associated with hemeroby and naturalness indices. These findings underscore the dominant influence of recent anthropogenic drivers on vegetation structure. A decline in water availability following the reservoir’s destruction emerged as a primary driver of vegetation dynamics in the affected areas. Coastal zones experienced the most pronounced changes, where newly exposed sandy substrates were rapidly colonized by xerophytic and ruderal species, forming highly hemerobic communities. In contrast, more stable conditions in the central part of the island supported the persistence of relatively undisturbed plant assemblages. Increased light levels and elevated soil nutrient content in open areas were also found to promote the spread of species with high hemeroby, reinforcing the connection between altered abiotic conditions and anthropogenic transformation. This study demonstrates that the collapse of the Kakhovka Reservoir triggered rapid shifts in floodplain vegetation, with moisture regime, illumination, and nutrient availability acting as key environmental filters. The observed correspondence between these factors and the level of hemeroby confirms the utility of hemeroby and naturalness indices as effective tools for monitoring post-catastrophic ecological changes and informing future strategies for ecosystem restoration.

Maximizing the potential benefits of beaver restoration for fire resilience and water storage

2025-06-24

Jessie A. Moravek , Justin S. Brashares , Manuela Girotto +7 more | HydroShare Resources

Mortality factors of the Ussuri sika deer Cervus nippon hortulorum Swinhoe, 1864 in the Lazovsky District of Primorsky Krai

2025-06-24

Galina P. Salkina , Nadezhda Poddubnaya , Vitaly Ye. Prisyazhnyuk | Biota and Environment of Natural Areas

An analysis of mortality in the native population of the subspecies of sika deer, Cervus nippon hortulorum Swinhoe, 1864, was conducted in the Lazovsky District of Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation, … An analysis of mortality in the native population of the subspecies of sika deer, Cervus nippon hortulorum Swinhoe, 1864, was conducted in the Lazovsky District of Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation, covering the period from 1958 to 2023, including the Lazovsky Nature Reserve. Causes of death were determined for 2702 individuals based on the study of their remains. The primary mortality factors in the study area were poaching, predation by wild carnivores, and starvation during severe, snowy winters. Overall, anthropogenic factors accounted for 58.58% of sika deer deaths, including attacks by feral domestic dogs. Wild predators were responsible for 26.09% of deaths, while natural mortality (starvation and other causes) accounted for 13.54% of the total. Between 1958 and 1975, sika deer mortality was predominantly due to wild predators; however, since the 1990s, poaching has become the leading cause of death, with its intensity increasing in the Lazovsky Nature Reserve since the 2000s. Given the identifi ed trend of escalating poaching pressure, additional conservation measures are urgently needed to protect the Ussuri sika deer subspecies in the southeastern Sikhote- Alin region.

Restoration of aquatic habitat complex extends the foraging window of terrestrial consumers

2025-06-19

Motaz Osman Mohammed Ibrahim , Radmila Petric , Charles F. Wahl +1 more | Global Ecology and Conservation

Beaver Dam Abundance and Concentration in Central New York over Three Decades Inferred from Aerial Imagery

2025-06-19

Arielle Woods , M. M. Loranty , Timothy S. McCay +1 more | Northeastern Naturalist

Transboundary conservation of musk deer (Moschus spp.): global synthesis of populations, distributions, threats, and recovery strategies

2025-06-19

Xiaoping Lü , Shuo Geng , Junyi Yang +7 more | Journal for Nature Conservation

Animal Landscapers

2025-06-17

Cody Cottier | Scientific American

Impact of tusk anomalies on the long-term foraging ecology of narwhals

2025-06-17

Marié Louis , Alba Rey‐Iglesia , Jennifer Routledge +7 more | bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Male narwhals are unique in having one long, spiralled tusk, while females of the species do not have a tusk. However, a small number of individuals develop tusk anomalies, including … Male narwhals are unique in having one long, spiralled tusk, while females of the species do not have a tusk. However, a small number of individuals develop tusk anomalies, including two-tusked males or females with a tusk. In this study, we combine genetic sexing and bone collagen stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) analysis to evaluate whether these tooth anomalies impact foraging ecology. Our analysis of individuals collected in the waters around Greenland showed no systematic impacts; nine of ten two-tusked male narwhals, and all three one-tusked female narwhals were within the normal range of known isotopic diversity from the sampled geographic regions. Two specimens with other forms of unusual dentition both showed stable isotope values outside the range of narwhals, suggesting their diet was different. Our findings underscore how DNA data retrieved from museum specimens can elucidate biological questions of interest, such as the sex of anomalous individuals. They also show how stable isotope analysis can be used to assign individuals with unknown provenance to their geographic region of origin.

Hankertsmühle bei Mainhardt

2025-06-16

Alfred Weiß | Schwäbische Heimat

A home for the many? Beaver lodges as hotspots for bird and mammal diversity

2025-06-16

Frank Rosell , Hanna Kavli Lodberg-Holm , Floris Meijer +1 more | The Science of The Total Environment

Diversity loss is a growing global concern. Keystone species and ecosystem engineers play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing diversity. The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is one such species, … Diversity loss is a growing global concern. Keystone species and ecosystem engineers play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing diversity. The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is one such species, impacting the landscape through activities such as felling trees, digging tunnels, building dams, and constructing lodges. Numerous studies have shown that beavers increase diversity especially related to their dams. However, the relationship between beaver lodges and diversity is rarely studied. Therefore, we have mapped the diversity of birds and mammals at active beaver lodges in south-eastern Norway. The study was carried out in three large rivers without beaver dams. We installed wildlife cameras at 18 active beaver lodges in the autumn and 17 in the spring, matched with an equal number of paired control sites across the river. Beaver lodges had higher abundance, species richness and Shannon Diversity Index of animals (birds and mammals) than control sites in autumn, but the differences were less pronounced in spring. We found that six species were especially attracted to the beaver lodges. Our results support the concept of beaver lodges as local diversity hotspots for animals particularly in autumn, most likely due to the availability of resources such as food, shelter and warm microclimates on the lodge. Our findings also illustrate the role of beavers as ecosystem engineers beyond the impacts of dam construction. This knowledge may help to increase the diversity of both birds and mammals in habitats across the northern hemisphere.

Etyczne i prawne perspektywy współczesnej ochrony zwierząt

2025-06-13

Alicja Hassinger | Studenckie Prace Prawnicze Administratywistyczne i Ekonomiczne

Na przestrzeni wieków, począwszy od starożytnego Rzymu, aż do czasów obecnych, postrzeganie zwierząt dynamicznie się zmienia, czemu zwykle towarzyszą ożywione dyskusje, a nawet spory. Niezależnie od nich wypracowaliśmy jako ludzie … Na przestrzeni wieków, począwszy od starożytnego Rzymu, aż do czasów obecnych, postrzeganie zwierząt dynamicznie się zmienia, czemu zwykle towarzyszą ożywione dyskusje, a nawet spory. Niezależnie od nich wypracowaliśmy jako ludzie twarde stanowisko, że zwierzęta czują i należy im się życie bez cierpienia. Obecnie mamy do czynienia z silnym trendem działania na rzecz zwierząt na całym świecie w celu ochrony ich interesów w takich aspektach, jak na przykład hodowla na mięso. Wraz z rozwojem świadomości społecznej nastąpiło uregulowanie kwestii zwierząt na gruncie prawa. W Polsce głównym aktem w tym obszarze jest ustawa o ochronie zwierząt. W wielu krajach jednak prawa zwierząt zostały wyniesione do rangi konstytucyjnej, czego obecnie w naszym systemie brakuje. W związku z przemianami społecznymi postuluje się szereg zmian w prawie, które pozwolą na zagwarantowanie zwierzętom podstawowych praw, a także stworzenie instrumentów, które pomogą je skutecznie egzekwować.

Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)

2025-06-13

Tomás Antonio Rivas Fuenzalida , Katherine Burgos‐Andrade , Marcus Canuto | Birds of the World

Clutch Size and Breeding Ecology of Multi-Brooded European Stonechats Saxicola rubicola in Acidic Inland Heathlands and Calcareous Coastal Dunes

2025-06-13

H. Herman van Oosten | Ardea

Past land-use affects woodland functioning even after complete ecosystem destruction

2025-06-12

Nelly Paradelle , Marianne Laslier , Guillaume Decocq | The Science of The Total Environment

Adaptive Reproductive Strategies of Limpets in a Harvest‐Influenced Environment

2025-06-04

Joana Vasconcelos , Pablo Manríquez Angulo , Olivia Martínez‐Ruiz +3 more | Fisheries Oceanography

ABSTRACT Limpet harvesting is a size‐selective activity that primarily removes the largest individuals, leading to reduced reproductive output. This study investigates the fecundity strategies of two limpet species, Patella aspera … ABSTRACT Limpet harvesting is a size‐selective activity that primarily removes the largest individuals, leading to reduced reproductive output. This study investigates the fecundity strategies of two limpet species, Patella aspera and Patella crenata , inhabiting the rocky shores of Gran Canaria. Between September 2023 and April 2024, a total of 288 P. aspera and 364 P. crenata specimens were sampled from four coastal settlements. Both species exhibited determinate fecundity with synchronous spawning, as evidenced by the progression of dominant oocyte cohorts and the corresponding changes in oocyte size and number throughout the spawning season. Orientation and substrate type significantly influenced fecundity, with the North coast showing a higher number of vitellogenic oocytes, particularly in artificial substrates for P. crenata . Natural substrates on the North coast were associated with larger vitellogenic oocytes. Additionally, sex proportions were significantly affected by substrate type, with natural substrates containing a higher proportion of females. In artificial substrates, P. crenata exhibited notably higher gonadosomatic index values. The analysis of the gonadosomatic index and oocyte dynamics highlights the adaptive strategies of these limpets to local environmental conditions, contributing to our understanding of reproductive ecology in intertidal habitats. This research not only enhances our understanding of reproductive dynamics in limpets under varying environmental conditions but also emphasizes the importance of habitat and seasonal factors in shaping fecundity strategies. Such studies are crucial for conservation efforts, as they provide essential insights into how environmental pressures and human activities, like harvesting, impact the reproductive success and sustainability of these commercial species.

New methods for the scour protection around the pile foundation based on oyster reef cover

2025-06-02

Anqi Xie , Xuguang Chen , Xixi Liu +3 more | Ocean Engineering

Ecosystem Services provided by streams to adjacent agricultural terrestrial ecosystems

2025-06-02

Christophe Piscart , Nadège Bélouard , Mathieu Bonnefond +6 more | ARPHA Conference Abstracts

Streams are traditionally viewed as receptacles rather than sources of energy with regard to nutrient and energy cycles. For a long time, terrestrial-aquatic interactions have focused on studying the impact … Streams are traditionally viewed as receptacles rather than sources of energy with regard to nutrient and energy cycles. For a long time, terrestrial-aquatic interactions have focused on studying the impact of terrestrial ecosystems on aquatic ecosystems, but more and more studies are highlighting the role of aquatic ecosystems on terrestrial ecosystems. Numerous studies have shown that freshwater ecosystems are an important source of energy for the terrestrial environment, mainly through the emergence of winged aquatic insects, recognized as providing nutritional subsidies to terrestrial consumers. They represent a substantial source of fertilization for soils and an important resource for terrestrial organisms. Plants near wetlands where food webs contain fewer insect predators or flying insects receive more pollinator visits and are less pollen limited. Thus, dense hydrographic networks could suggest a strong impact in terms of ecosystem services in adjacent terrestrial ecosystems. The objective of our project is to evaluate three ecosystem services provided by aquatic insects in adjacent agricultural environments following a gradient of agricultural intensification and to analyze their impacts in terms of integration in the management policies of the territories. Five sites located along a gradient of agricultural intensification and in different agricultural contexts where agricultural practices are informed, were selected within three Zones Ateliers from the French Long Term Socio-Ecological Research network. On each site, a headwater stream and its adjacent landscape (1 Km²) will be monitored at the same time (spring and summer) with 13 protocols. The first work package focuses on three ecosystem services provided and mediated by emerging aquatic insects (soil fertilization, pollination and crop pest control). These ecosystem services cannot be studied without an accurate quantification of biodiversity of streams (i.e. emerging aquatic insects and aquatic vegetation), riparian habitats (floral diversity, emerging aquatic insects and terrestrial predators), adjacent agricultural areas (i.e. emerging aquatic insects, terrestrial predators and type of crops) and the quantification of biological flux between aquatic and terrestrial environment. The second WP focuses on the governance of riparian areas. Its objective is to study the history of the governance of French riparian areas, to examine current management practices and their associated representations. This WP will also address recent improvements in the governance of these areas and aims to increase the adoption of ecologically responsible practices by stakeholders. The last WP aims to map Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) of streams and floodplains with high-resolution data and remote sensing techniques and artificial intelligence modelling approach to estimate the respective contribution of various drivers (e.g. landscape features and their arrangement including 3D modelling) . This information is crucial for understanding and linking WP1 and WP2 (i.e. explaining ecosystem services distribution in relation with anthropogenic practices and land uses). Preliminary results suggested a possible important role of aquatic insects in fertilization but a relatively small contribution to direct pollination. We have also highlighted a succession of major changes in river management over the last 100 years, which have profoundly altered the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. However, headwater and riparian habitats are rarely considered in social sciences and limit our ability to integrate their specificities or to mitigate conflicts among users and managers. Ongoing research based a previous discussions with stakeholders, has highlighted that our project should help us to better quantify, in a spatially explicit manner, the relative contribution of freshwaters to ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes, and to better identify leverage points for integrating our results into agricultural practices and environmental management.

Morphometric Variability of the American Mink (Neogale vison) in Eurasia

2025-06-01

V. V. Stepanova , Н. В. Мамаев , М. М. Сидоров +1 more | Russian Journal of Biological Invasions

A Review of Salt Lakes in Australia: Distribution Characteristics, Resource Development Potential, Resource Environmental Changes

2025-06-01

Jibin Han , Jianping Wang , Batelaan OKKE +2 more | Journal of Salt Lake Research

Biodiversity conservation in western China with scientific and technological support: Current status, challenges, and suggestions

2025-06-01

Fuwen Wei , Hang Sun , Jiaojun Zhu +5 more | Zhongguo Kexueyuan yuankan

Assessment of Biotopes in the River Part of the Sheksninskoe Reservoir and Their Use by Zoobenthos by GIS Methods

2025-06-01

Ksenya Ivicheva , И. В. Филоненко , Aleksandra Komarova | Water Resources

Changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services over time in post-mining and quarry ponds

2025-05-31

Mauro Fois , Alba Cuena‐Lombraña , Maria Enrica Boi +2 more | Hydrobiologia

Avian promiscuity in the last European primeval forest

2025-05-31

Joanna Sudyka , Irene Di Lecce , Grzegorz Hebda +7 more | bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Primeval forests provide a reference baseline to understand the origins and evolution of mating systems because they offer a unique, undisturbed environment where ecological interactions and natural selection play out … Primeval forests provide a reference baseline to understand the origins and evolution of mating systems because they offer a unique, undisturbed environment where ecological interactions and natural selection play out in their original context. We established rates of extra-pair paternity (EPP) for two bird species referential to evolutionary ecology: blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and great tits (Parus major), breeding in natural cavities in Białowieża National Park, the sole remnant of European lowland primeval forests. Genotype-by-sequencing of 889 blue tits and 1,256 great tits revealed that 48% of blue tit broods and 39% great tit broods were of mixed paternity, with 15% blue tit and 14% great tit nestlings not sired by their social father. These referential levels align with median values of EPP reported in nestbox studies in secondary and managed forests, suggesting that certain reproductive strategies are advantageous across diverse environments. Observed promiscuity levels did not affect reproductive success or parental investment, indicating no or limited adaptive value for promiscuity in the context of a primeval forest ecosystem. Our study underscores how primeval habitats provide unparalleled insights into natural selection and mating strategies in wild populations, highlighting the stability and resilience of these strategies across different environmental contexts.

A habitat suitability model to assess population status and management implications for beaver in Wisconsin

2025-05-30

Stacie J. Robinson , David B. Ruid , Katrin Wagner +1 more | Journal of Wildlife Management

Abstract Beaver ( Castor canadensis ) act as ecosystem engineers shaping wetland ecology. Their potential to affect hydrology and habitat for numerous species makes beaver management crucial and often complex. … Abstract Beaver ( Castor canadensis ) act as ecosystem engineers shaping wetland ecology. Their potential to affect hydrology and habitat for numerous species makes beaver management crucial and often complex. To inform management strategies and evaluate management actions, it is important to understand the broad‐scale distribution of the species and its habitat. We set out to develop a model that provides a metric of relative quality of beaver habitat and capacity for beaver across the varied ecosystems of Wisconsin, USA. Because beaver are tied to specific habitat characteristics (waterways and wetlands), habitat suitability models (HSMs) can be a powerful tool to describe the distribution of their habitat across the landscape. We applied an HSM framework to estimate the relative capacity of each natural waterway in Wisconsin to support beaver colonies. We found that beaver habitat quality varied widely across the state from areas of low‐gradient streams with ample wetland vegetation in the north to areas where slope or lack of riparian vegetation limited capacity for beaver in the agricultural and unglaciated regions. We used this model to examine the potential impact of management actions in terms of the proportion of beaver habitat (weighted according to HSM scores) affected. This HSM model provides a tool to help wildlife managers understand beaver distributions, plan population management, and evaluate future management scenarios.

Habitat use of Myocastor coypus in the Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park. Buenos Aires Argentina

2025-05-29

Paula Courtalón , Francisco Esteban Pereyra Yraola | Therya

The present research was carried out in the two main wetlands of the Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park (PNCP), Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina: Laguna Grande (LG) and Juncal … The present research was carried out in the two main wetlands of the Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park (PNCP), Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina: Laguna Grande (LG) and Juncal del Río Luján (JRL). The objectives were: 1) To corroborate the presence of the coypu, Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) within the park, so far only confirmed for the coast of the Luján River, and to study the variability between seasons, 2) To evaluate the habitat use of the coypu and the potential variables that determine it through macro and microhabitat scales analysis, and 3) To conduct studies of the spatial disposition of the signs of presence of the species. The last two are fundamental to understanding possible underlying processes, such as food availability or response to the historical hunting pressure. We not only sought to answer which environments of each wetland they use, but also how they use them. The hypotheses were: 1) Sites with signs presence vary between seasons; 2) Sites where signs are present depend on the type of vegetation cover; and 3) Spatial arrangement of signs is clustered. Four transects were surveyed at LG and three at JRL using the transect line method. In each, sites with and without signs were georeferenced, and cover variables of different plant species (%) and water depth (cm) were measured. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) with presence/absence as response variable were used for both, macro and microhabitat analysis. For the spatial analysis, a count of signs per quadrant was performed in each wetland and their distribution was evaluated by means of goodness-of-fit tests to Poisson and negative Binomial distributions. At JRL, coypus use both identified environments: Edge of the Marsh (EM) and Inner Marsh (IM). There is no seasonal variation with the exception of spring where there was total absence of signs. No cover variables were detected to predict presence. In the LG they only use the Middle Marsh (MM) environment, and not those of Edge (E) and Open Waters (OW). The probability of detection increases during autumn and winter and Schoenoplectus californicus was the main predictor species for the presence of signs. In both wetlands, signs were found in a clustered disposition. These results confirm the presence of coypu in the CPNP, with the JRL being a potential pathway into the park, and the MM of the LG being a key point of establishment. The environments used and the spatial arrangement of signs could be the result of the sustained food availability through seasons within the used environments, and protection from poaching and predation pressure. The seasonal variation partially coincides with the reproductive peaks previously observed in the wild for the species.

Stream restoration: a key to the survival and recovery of the Endangered Western Brook Lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni), Morrison Creek population

2025-05-29

J. Wade , Warren Fleenor , Paul B. C. Grant | The Canadian Field-Naturalist

Aquatic ecosystems and species are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities. Stream restoration has thereforebecome a necessary conservation strategy to improve habitat quality and quantity, which are key components of productive, … Aquatic ecosystems and species are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities. Stream restoration has thereforebecome a necessary conservation strategy to improve habitat quality and quantity, which are key components of productive, healthy, resilient aquatic ecosystems. The Morrison Creek watershed on Vancouver Island, British Columbia has been impacted by anthropogenic activities resulting in the degradation of aquatic habitat. For an Endangered, range-restricted species like Western Brook Lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni), Morrison Creek population, which only occurs in this one watershed, any habitat-related impacts have the potential to cause population level declines, thereby increasing the risk of extinction. Stream and riparian restoration were therefore undertaken to ameliorate the species’ Critical Habitat, which no longer supported spawning and early rearing. Effectiveness of restoration was determined through the use of restored areas for spawning, increased hydraulic complexity, and reduced sedimentation. Lamprey (adults and larvae) and salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) had not been observed in this habitat since 2005; however, following habitat restoration in 2021, 10 different lamprey nests were observed being tended in the restored habitat in 2022. Salmonids were also observed using the newly created habitat for spawning in fall 2021 and fry and smolts used pools and riffles for rearing the following spring and summer. Our work demonstrates specific types of habitat restoration that are effective for lamprey conservation and validates that complex restoration activity can occur when there is effective collaboration.

Past and present long-term refugia for biodiversity in mountains

2025-05-28

Marı́a B. Garcı́a , Carlos Díaz , Raúl Hoffrén | ARPHA Conference Abstracts

Biodiversity loss is one of the main consequences of the two major current drivers of global change: land cover change and climate change. While climate warming is a universal driver, … Biodiversity loss is one of the main consequences of the two major current drivers of global change: land cover change and climate change. While climate warming is a universal driver, changes in land use are expected to be lower in protected areas. However, land cover changes could be important if protection leads to vegetation recovery following the abandonment of intensive traditional land uses. Our studies in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (central Spanish Pyrenees) aim to identify areas that have been most resistant to land cover change in the long-term past, and areas that will be most resistant to rising temperatures in the future. The approach to the past was made by comparing pairs of historical and current photographs and analysing the probability of patches of different cover types remaining or changing. This was done using a 3D model and the Monoplotting Tool software, which also allowed us to identify the topographical variables that promoted resistance to change. The analysis of more than 1000 floristic inventories distributed over different landcover types allowed us to reveal winners and losers, as well as to infer the type of flora sheltered in long-term landcover refuges. The approach to the near future (climatic refugia) was analysed using thermal images taken by UAVs (drones) during heat waves, and exploring areas of narrow thermal range across thermal landscapes. Identifying environments where temperatures are buffered reveals climatic refugia, and allows investigation of topographic variables that create them. In turn, floristic inventories in these environments showed the type of flora that is protected in climatic refugia. Overall, the combination of approaches that explore past and future effects has allowed us to identify different types of refugia for biodiversity in harsh mountain landscapes.

Chapter One. Swamp Things

2025-05-28

Continuous dynamics of cooperation and competition in social foraging

2025-05-28

Darius Lewen , Vladyslav Ivanov , Jonas Dehning +7 more | bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Real-life social interactions often unfold continuously and involve dynamic cooperation and competition, yet most studies rely on discrete games that do not capture the adaptive and graded nature of continuous … Real-life social interactions often unfold continuously and involve dynamic cooperation and competition, yet most studies rely on discrete games that do not capture the adaptive and graded nature of continuous sensorimotor decisions. To address this gap, we developed the Cooperation-Competition Foraging game --- a novel, ecologically grounded paradigm in which pairs of participants (dyads) navigate a continuous shared space under face-to-face visibility, deciding in real-time to collect rewarded targets either individually or jointly. Dyads spontaneously converged on distinct stable strategies along the cooperation-competition spectrum, forming three similarly sized groups: cooperative, intermediate, and competitive. Despite the behavioral complexity, our computational model, which incorporated travel path minimization, sensorimotor communication, and recent choice history, predicted dyadic decisions with 87% accuracy, and linked prediction certainty with ensuing dynamics of spatiotemporal coordination. Further modeling revealed how sensorimotor factors, such as movement speed and skill, shape distinct strategies and payoffs. Crucially, we quantify the cost of cooperation, demonstrating that in many dyads prosocial tendencies outweigh the individual benefits of exploiting skill advantages. Our versatile framework provides a predictive, mechanistic account of how social and embodied drivers promote the emergence of dynamic cooperation and competition, and offers rigorous metrics for investigating the neural basis of naturalistic social interactions, and for linking personality traits to distinct strategies.

Central place foraging in an ectotherm and the long-term liability of selecting the ‘wrong’ central place

2025-05-28

Terry J. Ord , Katrina Blazek | Behavioral Ecology

Abstract Shelter provided by a fixed refuge like a burrow or nest has obvious advantages for central place foragers: the energy and time required to construct the refuge is expected … Abstract Shelter provided by a fixed refuge like a burrow or nest has obvious advantages for central place foragers: the energy and time required to construct the refuge is expected to be offset by improvements in survival and reproduction. This assumes the refuge is positioned appropriately in the environment to access food and other resources, and that the environment itself remains stable over time. We investigated the long-term liability of refuge placement and adverse environmental change on an iconic central place forager, the Australian meat ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus). We measured the consequences of nest location on the thermal conditions experienced at the nest and how those conditions influenced the opportunity to forage and defend the nest from predation. These data were combined with direct field observations of foraging effort and changes in nest size obtained from over a decade of study. Getting the location of a nest wrong had a lasting impact on the growth of a nest and colonies were unable to compensate for subsequent time restrictions on activity through changes in behaviour. Our data suggests that central place foragers relying on the long-term occupancy of a fixed refuge are especially vulnerable to environmental change. Unless these species compensate through changes in behaviour or construct a new central refuge in an area outside of the zone of impact, the increasing frequency and severity of environmental change occurring with the climate crisis could increase the risk of local extinction.

Yak (Bos grunniens) excreta further facilitate the positive effects of soil fauna on litter decomposition in alpine meadow ecosystems

2025-05-25

Yingxin Wang , Lu Pei , Zeshuai Wu +3 more

The influence of grazing activity, specifically excreta deposition, on the positive contributions of soil fauna to litter decomposition was not comprehensively examined. We conducted a 660-day field experiment to test … The influence of grazing activity, specifically excreta deposition, on the positive contributions of soil fauna to litter decomposition was not comprehensively examined. We conducted a 660-day field experiment to test the interactive effects of yak excreta and soil fauna on litter decomposition and underlying driving mechanisms. We found adding yak excreta further increased the positive effect of soil fauna on litter decomposition. The strengths, and mechanisms of this promoting effects varied depending on excreta type and decomposition stage. The changes in litter decomposition constants increased by 116.3% and 98.2% with dung addition alone and both dung and urine addition, respectively. The time required to achieve 75% mass loss was the shortest (129% in advance) under the conditions of interaction between yak excreta and soil fauna. Importantly, our findings suggested that yak excreta regulate the role of soil fauna in litter decomposition through nutrient deposition of excreta, physical breakdown by soil fauna, and trophic interaction. In the early decomposition stage, the primary determinants included soil nitrogen and soil moisture. Conversely, during the later decomposition stage, soil carbon and soil pH became the pivotal factors. This study improves our knowledge of how grazing and soil fauna affect nutrient cycling in grasslands ecosystems.