Community Functions/Dynamics

Prasad, K.V.S.V.

doi:10.1007/978-981-19-1782-0_12

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 52 publications

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“…About shifting habitat suitability across seral stages of succession, marble extraction initiates a succession event as soon as mining activity ceases (Prasad 2022). Tailings and gravel piles resulting from marble quarrying are promptly colonized by rodent communities in search of shelter, offering protection against remaining avian and terrestrial predators, thereby enhancing their breeding success (Lawer et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovery of small rodents from open‐pit marble mining: effects on communities, populations, and individuals

WU,

WANG,

WANG

et al. 2024

Integr. Zool.

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Mining can significantly alter landscapes, impacting wildlife and ecosystem functionality. Natural recovery in open‐pit mines is vital for habitat restoration and ecosystem re‐establishment, although few empirical studies have examined this process. Here, we assessed temporal and spatial responses of small rodents at the community, population, and individual levels during natural mine recovery. We examined the abundance, reproductive potential, and individual health of small rodents at active mines and at former mine sites left to recover naturally for approx. 10 and 20 years. We also assessed the effects of disturbance on rodent recovery processes at three distances from the mine boundary. Rodent numbers peaked after 10–13 years of recovery and exhibited the strongest male bias in the sex ratio. The Chinese white‐bellied rat (Niviventer confucianus) was the most abundant species, achieving its highest population abundance at sites abandoned for 10–13 years and thriving at locations closer to the mine boundary. Only Chevrier's field mouse exhibited morphological responses to the mine recovery category. Ectoparasite load was unaffected by mine or distance‐disturbance categories. Both Chevrier's field mouse (Apodemus chevrieri) and the South China field mouse (Apodemus draco) were affected significantly by vegetation layer cover during recovery succession. Our study highlights the complexities of ecological succession, with a peak in abundance as pioneer communities transition toward a climax seral stage. Careful prior planning and active site management are necessary to optimize abandoned mine recovery. Efforts to accelerate mine recovery through technical restoration should promote conditions that initiate and perpetuate the establishment and succession of wildlife assemblages.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%