Plant community shifts caused by feral swine rooting devalue Florida rangeland

Abstract

2016-11-03T14:11:40

Assessing the utility of metabarcoding for diet analyses of the omnivorous wild pig (Sus scrofa)

“…Wild pigs have become the most abundant free‐ranging exotic ungulate in the United States (Seward et al., ) and, among big game, are second only to white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) in the number of individuals harvested by hunters (Kaufman, Bowers, & Bowers, ; Mayer & Brisbin, ) . These large populations of wild pigs are ecologically destructive (Barrios‐Garcia & Ballari, ; Bevins et al., ) and are responsible for spreading invasive plants (Bankovich, Boughton, Boughton, Avery, & Wisely, ; Boughton & Boughton, ) and pathogens (Cooper, Scott, de la Garza, Deck, & Cathey, ; Ruiz‐Fons, ). These issues have contributed to the estimated $1.5 billion in damages and control costs each year within the United States with similar levels of economic losses in other nations (Bevins et al., ; Choquenot, Lukins, & Curran, ; Pimental, ).…”

Invasion ecology of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in Florida, USA: the role of humans in the expansion and colonization of an invasive wild ungulate

“…2 Illegal introductions represent a growing concern because of the impacts that wild pigs have on biodiversity, agriculture production, and animal and human health (Crooks 2002;Hone 2002;Bankovich et al 2016).…”

Reproductive traits ofLachnanthes caroliniana(Lam.) Dandy related to patch formation following feral swine rooting disturbance1

“…With the establishment and spread of L. caroliniana, feral swine will likely continue to be attracted to this area to root, further accelerating the spread of L. caroliniana monocultures. Field observations and additional research show that patches of L. caroliniana are revisited annually (Bankovich et al 2016). This supports the possibility of a positive feedback loop between feral swine and L. caroliniana, with continued patch maintenance and expansion.…”

“…There is also some evidence that L. caroliniana seeds are an important food source for sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis; Valentine and Noble 1970). Despite its ecological value, L. caroliniana may be viewed as a rangeland weed (Kalmbacher et al 1984;Bankovich et al 2016). Kalmbacher et al (1984) found that grasses make up 72% of cattle diet, while L. caroliniana comprises 11%.…”

“…Lachnanthes caroliniana is the fourth most common species eaten by cattle grazing range during summer (Kalmbacher et al 1984), but it is not known if this is accidental or preferential consumption. However, it can be argued that because L. caroliniana replaces preferred forage species (Bankovich et al 2016;Boughton and Boughton 2014), it is an undesirable species from a grazing perspective. Further work on the palatability and nutritional quality of L. caroliniana is needed to understand its value to cattle.…”