An experimental study of the impacts of cattle on spider communities of artesian springs in South Australia

Kovac, Kelli-Jo; Mackay, Duncan A.

doi:10.1007/s10841-007-9117-2

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…the preference of Pachynatha degeeri, an ubiquist species, for the grazed meadow), significant change in species composition were observed after horses were introduced on the dry meadow, a finding in agreement with a few other studies on the impact of grazing on spider composition (Pozzi et al, 1998;Dennis et al, 2001;Pétillon et al 2007). No significant changes were found after the grazing took place in spider hunting guilds, although web-builders tended to be reduced in Hemm and Höffer, 2012;Ford et al, 2013), mainly explained by a reduced vegetation complexity (Churchill and Ludwig, 2004;Kovac and Mackay, 2009).…”

Section: Species Compositionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Short–term effects of horse grazing on spider assemblages of a dry meadow (Western France)

Pétillon¹,

François²,

Lafage³

2018

Anim. Biodiv. Conserv.

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Short-term effects of horse grazing on spider assemblages of a dry meadow (Western France). In this study, the biodiversity impacts of a little studied herbivore, the horse, were assessed in a high conservation value habitat of dry meadows in Brittany (Western France). Spiders, a diversified and abundant group of predators, were used as bioindicators. Three complementary sampling techniques were used to assess changes in spider assemblages in both soil and vegetation strata, over time (diachronic comparison of managed unit before vs. after management) and space (synchronic comparison of managed vs. control units). Few effects of grazing, i.e. only one significantly indicative species, were found on assemblage composition (ANOSIM), and none on abundances, α-and β-diversities (GLM on pitfall trap data). On the contrary, important differences were found between units before management took place. The main effects of grazing management were revealed over time (after one year), and not between managed and control units (CCA on pitfall trap data and x²-tests on guilds from each sampling method), showing the relevance of a diachronic approach more than a synchronic approach in such management monitoring. Grazing by horses could be relevant to manage meadows because it creates a high spatial heterogeneity, but further (long-term) studies including other model groups are required.

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Section: Species Compositionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Short–term effects of horse grazing on spider assemblages of a dry meadow (Western France)

Pétillon¹,

François²,

Lafage³

2018

Anim. Biodiv. Conserv.

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“…Number Despite dispersal limitation obviously playing a role to play in island-like systems such as desert springs, the role of environmental heterogeneity and the differential environmental requirements across the species concerned cannot be ignored. In spring systems from a range of contexts, environmental conditions such as depth [20,54], water chemistry and permanence [47,48,57], altitude [70], temperature [71,72] and disturbance gradient [73][74][75][76][77] are related to patterns of diversity and distribution. Springs provide a unique freshwater system with strong environmental gradients; areas of pool at the spring vent provide stable conditions with characteristics of the groundwater, whilst pool depth and the outflowing spring tail are strongly influenced by terrestrial conditions [1].…”

Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Different Species Requirements within a Heterogeneous Spring Complex Affects Patch Occupancy of Threatened Snails in Australian Desert Springs

Rossini

Fensham

Walter

2020

Water

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(1) The distribution of organisms that inhabit patchy systems is dictated by their ability to move between patches, and the suitability of environmental conditions at patches to which they disperse. Understanding whether the species involved are identical to one another in their environmental requirements and their responses to variance in their environment is essential to understanding ecological processes in these systems, and to the management of species whose patchy and limited distributions present conservation risks. (2) Artesian springs in Australia’s arid interior are “islands” of hospitable wetland in uninhabitable “oceans” of dry land and are home to diverse and threatened assemblages of endemic species with severely restricted distributions. Many have strict environmental requirements, but the role of environmental heterogeneity amongst springs has rarely been considered alongside conventional patch characteristics (isolation and patch geometry). (3) We quantified environmental heterogeneity across springs, and the relationship between spring size, isolation (distances to neighbours) and environmental quality (depth, water chemistry), and patterns of occupancy and population persistence of six endemic spring snail species, all from different families, and with all restricted to a single <8000 ha system of springs in Australia. To do so, a survey was conducted for comparison against survey results of almost a decade before, and environmental variables of the springs were measured. Many of the snail species occupied few sites, and environmental variables strongly covaried, so an ordination-based approach was adopted to assess the relationship between environmental measures and the distribution of each species, and also whether springs that held a higher diversity of snails had specific characteristics. (4) Each snail species occupied a subset of springs (between 5% and 36% of the 85 sampled) and was associated with a particular set of conditions. Of the six species considered in further detail, most were restricted to the few springs that were large and deep. Species in family Tateidae were distinct in having colonised highly isolated springs (with >300 m to nearest neighbour). Springs with highest diversity were significantly larger, deeper and had more numerous neighbours within 300 m than those devoid of endemic snails, or those with low diversity. (5) Although spring size and isolation affect patterns of occupancy, the six snail species had significantly different environmental requirements from one another and these correlated with the distribution pattern of each. Approaches that ignore the role of environmental quality—and particularly depth in springs—are overlooking important processes outside of patch geometry that influence diversity. These organisms are highly susceptible to extinction, as most occupy less than 3 ha of habitat spread across few springs, and habitat degradation continues to compromise what little wetland area is needed for their persistence.

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“…In GAB springs, the majority of endemic species are invertebrates with highly restricted ranges, specific habitat requirements (Ponder et al 1989;Rossini et al, 2017), and exposure to the same threats as better-protected species like the fishes (e.g. predation by invasive species (Clifford et al, 2013), habitat degradation associated with disturbance (Kovac & Mackay, 2009;Munro et al, 2009). If we are to maintain biodiversity in this system, more attention needs to be afforded to endemic invertebrates and their conservation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Introduced plants and nutrient-led changes to dynamics in native species mean that particular species grow to dominate springs (Davies et al, 2010;Holmquist et al, 2011), and can diminish the spring pools vital to the persistence of aquatic animals (Kodric- Brown & Brown, 2007). Ungulates trample springs, with pigs being particularly destructive as they actively uproot vegetation Kovac & Mackay, 2009). Invasive aquatic fauna living within the springs (including invertebrates, amphibians and fish) consume or compete with species endemic to springs, in some cases to the point of potential extinction (Kerezsy & Fensham, 2013).…”

Section: Imperilled Islands In a Sea Of Ariditymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Current conservation practices generally focus on local scales, and rest heavily on stock exclusion and attempts to eradicate invasive flora and fauna Kodric-Brown & Brown, 2007;. However a lack of published base line data means the effectiveness of these management practices is often not objectively assessable (for exceptions see Davies et al (2010), Kerezsy & Fensham (2013), and Kovac & Mackay (2009)). Calls are being made for managed relocation and captive breeding programs to protect species from extinction (Olden, Kennard, Lawler, & Poff, 2011) and levels of 'acceptable' draw down are being set Sparrow et al, 2015).…”

Section: The Current State Of Knowledge and Conservation In Great Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The ecology of narrow-range endemic macro-invertebrates of Great Artesian Basin springs

Rossini¹

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An experimental study of the impacts of cattle on spider communities of artesian springs in South Australia

Cited by 15 publications

References 20 publications

Short–term effects of horse grazing on spider assemblages of a dry meadow (Western France)

Short–term effects of horse grazing on spider assemblages of a dry meadow (Western France)

Different Species Requirements within a Heterogeneous Spring Complex Affects Patch Occupancy of Threatened Snails in Australian Desert Springs

The ecology of narrow-range endemic macro-invertebrates of Great Artesian Basin springs

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