Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Cattle, and the Conservation of North America’s Arid Grasslands

Sierra‐Corona, Rodrigo; Davidson, Ana D.; Fredrickson, Ed L.; Luna-Soria, Hugo; Suzán-Azpiri, Humberto; Ponce-Guevara, Eduardo; Ceballos, Gerardo

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0118602

Cited by 25 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(114 reference statements)

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“…The effects of fossorial ecosystem engineers are known from many regions where essential resources are spatially and temporally limited (Bruun et al 2005;Eldridge and Koen 2008;Sierra-Corona et al 2015). There is clear evidence that similar processes take place also in temperate regions in Europe (Obidziński and Głogowski 2005;Obidziński and Kiełtyk 2006;Kurek et al 2014a, b;Rola et al 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Topsoil mixing or fertilization? Forest flora changes in the vicinity of badgers’ (Meles meles L.) setts and latrines

Kurek

2019

Plant Soil

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Aims The badgers may affect soil chemical properties and plant species composition in two ways: by digging burrows (topsoil mixing) and by using latrines (fertilized soils). Here is reported which kind of badgers' activity plays a major role. Methods Soil samples for pH, total N, NH 4 + , NO 3 − and data concerning plant species composition were collected on circular plots (N = 80) on burrow mounds, latrines and reference areas. Results Burrow mounds were characterized by higher pH and lower content of total N. The content of NH 4 + − main component of manure, was higher in latrines than on mounds, whereas in the case of mounds, the content of NO 3 − was higher than in latrines. There was higher plant species richness on the burrow mounds than on the other plot types. Also plant species characterized with traits allowing them to settle on disturbed habitats were recorded at a higher number on burrow mounds. CCA analysis distinguished only one herbaceous plant aggregation associated with burrow mounds. The presence of latrines with high rate of nitrogen input did not affect plant species composition due to a low rate of soil mixing. Conclusions Soil chemical properties and flora changes showed that badgers shape plant communities not by fertilization with excrements but, as a result of digging activity, by altering topsoil conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Topsoil mixing or fertilization? Forest flora changes in the vicinity of badgers’ (Meles meles L.) setts and latrines

Kurek

2019

Plant Soil

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“…Ironically, recent research shows that cattle preferentially graze along prairie dog colony edges and use their colony centers for resting, similar to the mutualistic relationship prairie dogs once had with the American bison (Sierra–Corona et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…These species were thought to be competitors for forage with open range livestock, and their extensive burrow systems were deemed an injury risk for cattle. Ironically, recent research shows that cattle preferentially graze along prairie dog colony edges and use their colony centers for resting, similar to the mutualistic relationship prairie dogs once had with the American bison (Sierra-Corona et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Genetic variation and population structure in a threatened species, the Utah prairie dog Cynomys parvidens: the use of genetic data to inform conservation actions

Brown

Peacock

Ritchie

2016

Ecology and Evolution

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The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens), listed as threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act, was the subject of an extensive eradication program throughout its range during the 20th century. Eradication campaigns, habitat destruction/fragmentation/conversion, and epizootic outbreaks (e.g., sylvatic plague) have reduced prairie dog numbers from an estimated 95,000 individuals in the 1920s to approximately 14,000 (estimated adult spring count) today. As a result of these anthropogenic actions, the species is now found in small isolated sets of subpopulations. We characterized the levels of genetic diversity and population genetic structure using 10 neutral nuclear microsatellite loci for twelve populations (native and transplanted) representative of the three management designated “recovery units,” found in three distinct biogeographic regions, sampled across the species' range. The results indicate (1) low levels of genetic diversity within colonies (H e = 0.109–0.357; H o = 0.106‐ 0.313), (2) high levels of genetic differentiation among colonies (global F ST = 0.296), (3) very small genetic effective population sizes, and (4) evidence of genetic bottlenecks. The genetic data reveal additional subdivision such that colonies within recovery units do not form single genotype clusters consistent with recovery unit boundaries. Genotype cluster membership support historical gene flow among colonies in the easternmost West Desert Recovery Unit with the westernmost Pausaugunt colonies and among the eastern Pausaugunt colonies and the Awapa Recovery unit to the north. In order to maintain the long‐term viability of the species, there needs to be an increased focus on maintaining suitable habitat between groups of existing populations that can act as connective corridors. The location of future translocation sites should be located in areas that will maximize connectivity, leading to maintenance of genetic variation and evolutionary potential.

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“…Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) compete with ungulates for food resources under some conditions, yet facilitate these same ungulates under other conditions (Augustine and Springer 2013;Sierra-Corona et al 2015). Arsenault and Owen-Smith (2002) argue that facilitation likely is an ephemeral association, restricted to growing seasons when food is abundant (although it is critical to distinguish actual facilitation from positive correlations caused by shared responses to limiting factors or shared habitat preferences-D. W. Morris, Lakehead University, pers.…”

Section: Interspecific Competitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in population ecology and species interactions in mammals

Kelt

Heske

Lambin

et al. 2019

Journal of Mammalogy

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The study of mammals has promoted the development and testing of many ideas in contemporary ecology. Here we address recent developments in foraging and habitat selection, source–sink dynamics, competition (both within and between species), population cycles, predation (including apparent competition), mutualism, and biological invasions. Because mammals are appealing to the public, ecological insight gleaned from the study of mammals has disproportionate potential in educating the public about ecological principles and their application to wise management. Mammals have been central to many computational and statistical developments in recent years, including refinements to traditional approaches and metrics (e.g., capture-recapture) as well as advancements of novel and developing fields (e.g., spatial capture-recapture, occupancy modeling, integrated population models). The study of mammals also poses challenges in terms of fully characterizing dynamics in natural conditions. Ongoing climate change threatens to affect global ecosystems, and mammals provide visible and charismatic subjects for research on local and regional effects of such change as well as predictive modeling of the long-term effects on ecosystem function and stability. Although much remains to be done, the population ecology of mammals continues to be a vibrant and rapidly developing field. We anticipate that the next quarter century will prove as exciting and productive for the study of mammals as has the recent one.

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Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Cattle, and the Conservation of North America’s Arid Grasslands

Cited by 25 publications

References 54 publications

Topsoil mixing or fertilization? Forest flora changes in the vicinity of badgers’ (Meles meles L.) setts and latrines

Topsoil mixing or fertilization? Forest flora changes in the vicinity of badgers’ (Meles meles L.) setts and latrines

Genetic variation and population structure in a threatened species, the Utah prairie dog Cynomys parvidens: the use of genetic data to inform conservation actions

Advances in population ecology and species interactions in mammals

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