Effects of grazing intensity on small mammal population ecology in wet meadows

Schmidt, Niels Martin; Olsen, Henrik Palmer; Bildsøe, Mogens; Sluydts, Vincent; Leirs, Herwig

doi:10.1016/j.baae.2004.09.009

Cited by 79 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Our results are in line with other studies that suggest cattle grazing does not have an impact on the sex ratio of populations (Peles and Barrett 1996;Schmidt et al 2005). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Thus, these models point to heterogeneity between sites as a major explanatory factor for survival rates. Because of these differences, the results of the survival analysis regarding the potential impact of cattle grazing still remain unclear, a conclusion commonly reached by other studies (Keesing 1998;Schmidt et al 2005). These inconsistencies in the results of survival analyses across studies could be explained by the flexibility of deer mice in terms of niche choice (Bowers and Smith 1979;Geier and Best 1980;Galindo and Krebs 1985): deer mice are opportunistic feeders (Bunker 2001;Desrosiers et al 2002) and can adapt well to open habitats (Pearson et al 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impacts of cattle grazing on small-rodent communities: an experimental case study

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We used experimental cattle ungrazed and grazed sites to evaluate what impact different intensities of cattle grazing have on deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1815)). Live-trapping of these small rodents was conducted on paired treatment plots (grazed and ungrazed) at Sheep River Provincial Park in southwestern Alberta, Canada. Before grazing started, both rodent species were equally abundant in either grazed or ungrazed sites. Introduction of grazing resulted in strong but differing responses by both rodent species. Deer mice had higher population density (measured as individual animals trapped) in the grazed than in ungrazed plots, but their body mass was negatively correlated with increasing grazing pressure. Meadow voles were more heavily affected by grazing, as a strong avoidance of cattle-grazed plots was observed already at low grazing intensity. In addition, cattle grazing had noticeable effects, impacting the survival, sex and age ratios, and the ectoparasite prevalence of these two rodent populations. We conclude that there are diverse and different levels of impact of cattle grazing on those two rodents, leading to much more complex species interactions than previously thought. We suggest that the presence or absence, density, and body condition of small mammals could be used as a tool for ecosystem health assessment.Résumé : Nous utilisons des sites expérimentaux broutés et non broutés par le bétail afin d'évaluer l'impact de différentes intensités de broutage par le bétail sur les souris du crépuscule (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)) et les campagnols de Pennsylvanie (Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1815)). Nous avons procédé à du piégeage vivant de ces petits rongeurs sur des parcelles expérimentales appariées (broutées et non broutées) dans le parc provincial de Sheep River, sud-ouest de l'Alberta, Canada. Avant le début du broutage, les deux espèces de rongeurs étaient également abondantes dans les sites broutés et non broutés. L'introduction du broutage a causé des réactions fortes, mais distinctes, chez les deux espèces de rongeurs. Les souris du crépuscule ont une plus forte densité de population (nombre d'animaux piégés) dans les parcelles broutées que dans les non broutées, mais leur masse corporelle est en corrélation négative avec l'augmentation de la pression de broutage. Les campagnols de Pennsylvanie sont plus affectés par le broutage, puisqu'on observe un évitement des parcelles broutées, dès les faibles intensités de broutage. De plus, le broutage du bétail a des effets observables en modifiant la survie, les rapports des sexes et des âges et la prévalence des ectoparasites chez ces deux populations de rongeurs. Nous concluons qu'il existe des niveaux divers et différents d'impacts du broutage du bétail sur ces deux rongeurs, ce qui représente des interactions beaucoup plus complexes entre les espèces qu'on ne le croyait antérieurement. Nous suggérons d'utiliser la pré-sence ou absence, la densité et la co...

show abstract

“…Our results are in line with other studies that suggest cattle grazing does not have an impact on the sex ratio of populations (Peles and Barrett 1996;Schmidt et al 2005). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Impacts of cattle grazing on small-rodent communities: an experimental case study

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is especially noticeable in lowland areas. Studies on small mammals population structure show unequivocally that the effect is negative (Schmidt et al, 2005;Torre et al, 2007). Nevertheless, grazed areas are important as feeding grounds for birds (Wheeler, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Sheep Grazing on Small Mammals Diversity in Lower Mountain Coniferous Forest Glades

Ważna¹

2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Sheep grazing has once been a traditional mode of exploitation of forest as well as alpine zones in the majority of European montane regions. Nowadays, in Tatra Mts, sheep grazing is limited to a number of glades of anthropogenic origin, primarily as a method of protection against overgrowing with trees. Results of the present study demonstrate that sheep grazing causes a decrease in species diversity of small mammals Micromammalia in forest zone glades. The values of biodiversity indicators in sheepgrazed glades are lower than those in the non-managed or mown ones. On sheep-grazed glades, a lower biodiversity of Soricomorpha and a domination of common vole Microtus arvalis have been found.

show abstract

“…trampling, causing a reduction of suitable soil for burrow systems, has also been identified as a grazing-induced factor affecting small mammal communities (torre et al 2007). Negative consequences of herbivore grazing on small mammals have been investigated and reported in several ecosystems (Eccard et al 2000;Chapman & Ribic 2002;Beever & Brussard 2004;Schmidt et al 2005;torre et al 2007;Wheeler 2008;Muñoz et al 2009). The assessment of the consequences of livestock grazing on small mammal communities is fundamental because small mammals are key species in grazed ecosystems: they have top-down effects on plants (Manson et al 2001;Bagchi et al 2006;Roth et al 2009;Scheper & Smit 2011) and invertebrate populations (Churchfield et al 1991;Elkinton et al 2004), and they are an important prey source for birds and other mammals (Hanski et al 2001;taylor 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Large herbivores may affect plant diversity in these habitats (Olff & Ritchie 1998) and their grazing may reduce the overall degree of vegetation height and cover (Schmidt et al 2005;Bakker et al 2009). Changes in vegetation structure produced by large herbivore grazing may also be a consequence of the modifications it induces on physical and mechanical soil properties (e.g., compaction induced by trampling) and their interactions, with a variety of effects depending on the grazing intensity (Schmidt et al 2005;Zhao et al 2007;Zhou et al 2010;Gan et al 2012). Changes in the chemical properties of soil and, especially, potential N fertilization as a consequence of grazing may also have potential affects on plant species composition and growth (Binkley et al 2003;Wesche et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rodents in grassland habitats: does livestock grazing matter? A comparison of two Alpine sites with different grazing histories

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Effects of grazing intensity on small mammal population ecology in wet meadows

Cited by 79 publications

References 20 publications

Impacts of cattle grazing on small-rodent communities: an experimental case study

Impacts of cattle grazing on small-rodent communities: an experimental case study

Impact of Sheep Grazing on Small Mammals Diversity in Lower Mountain Coniferous Forest Glades

Rodents in grassland habitats: does livestock grazing matter? A comparison of two Alpine sites with different grazing histories

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About