Relative efficiency of extensive grazing vs. wild ungulates management for dung beetle conservation in a heterogeneous landscape from Southern Europe (Scarabaeinae, Aphodiinae, Geotrupinae)

Jay‐Robert, Pierre; Niogret, Jérôme; Errouissi, Faïek; Labarussias, Maureen; Paoletti, Éléonore; Vázquez‐Luis, Maite; Lumaret, Jean‐Pierre

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2008.09.001

Cited by 52 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 40 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Total domestic grazing abandonment is a recognised negative factor for dung beetle conservation (Jay-Robert et al, 2008; Verdú, Crespo & Galante, 2000). However, our results highlighted that even a simple reduction in grazing intensity implies negative effects on dung beetle community in areas characterised by a long grazing history, such as the Mediterranean Region.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies have focused on the effects on dung beetles of grazing abandonment (Jay-Robert et al, 2008; Verdú, Crespo & Galante, 2000; Carpaneto, Mazziotta & Piattella, 2005), overgrazing (Negro, Rolando & Palestrini, 2011) and VMP use (for a review see: Beynon, 2012; Lumaret & Errouissi, 2002; Wall & Beynon, 2012; Jacobs & Scholtz, 2015). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of grazing intensity and the use of veterinary medical products on dung beetle biodiversity in the sub-mountainous landscape of Central Italy

Tonelli

Verdú

Zunino

2017

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Grazing extensification and intensification are among the main problems affecting European grasslands. We analyze the impact of grazing intensity (low and moderate) and the use of veterinary medical products (VMPs) on the dung beetle community in the province of Pesaro-Urbino (Italy). Grazing intensity is a key factor in explaining the diversity of dung beetles. In the case of the alpha diversity component, sites with a low level of grazing activity—related in a previous step to the subsequent abandonment of traditional farming—is characterized by a loss of species richness (q = 0) and a reduction in alpha diversity at the levels q = 1 and q = 2. In the case of beta diversity, sites with a different grazing intensity show remarkable differences in terms of the composition of their species assemblages. The use of VMPs is another important factor in explaining changes in dung beetle diversity. In sites with a traditional use of VMPs, a significant loss of species richness and biomass is observed, as is a notable effect on beta diversity. In addition, the absence of indicator species in sites with a historical use of VMPs corroborates the hypothesis that these substances have a ubiquitous effect on dung beetles. However, the interaction between grazing activity and VMPs when it comes to explaining changes in dung beetle diversity is less significant (or is not significant) than the main effects (each factor separately) for alpha diversity, biomass and species composition. This may be explained if we consider that both factors affect the various species differently. In other words, the reduction in dung availability affects several larger species more than it does very small species, although this does not imply that the former are more susceptible to injury caused by the ingestion of dung contaminated with VMPs. Finally, in order to prevent negative consequences for dung beetle diversity, we propose the maintenance of a moderate grazing intensity and the rational use of VMPs. It is our view that organic management can prevent excessive extensification while providing an economic stimulus to the sector. Simultaneously, it can also prevent the abuse of VMPs.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of grazing intensity and the use of veterinary medical products on dung beetle biodiversity in the sub-mountainous landscape of Central Italy

Tonelli

Verdú

Zunino

2017

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many assessed the effects of agricultural management (e.g., organic versus conventional (e.g., Batary et al 2010) or an intensification gradient (e.g., Kohler et al 2007)) on ''farmland biodiversity'', the suite of species occupying traditionally managed agro-ecosystems (see Bignal and McCracken 1996), without specific reference to v www.esajournals.org the biomes in which the studies were conducted. Often, farmland itself is presented as a novel ecosystem worthy of conservation for its own sake (e.g., Stefanescu et al 2005, Jay-Robert et al 2008, best accomplished by promoting the traditional agricultural practices that created it over thousands of years (e.g., Bignal andMcCracken 1996, Pykala 2000). For example, semi-natural grasslands created by traditional agricultural practices in Europe's forest biomes are particularly important in conservation schemes (see Austrheim et al 1999, Walker et al 2004, and many papers compared biodiversity among varying management options for maintaining them (e.g., Poyry et al 2005, Saarinen andJantunen 2005).…”

Section: ''Natural Comparison'' Versus ''No Comparison'' Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographical and taxonomic biases in research on biodiversity in human‐modified landscapes

Trimble¹,

Aarde²

2012

Ecosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Biodiversity persistence in human-modified landscapes is crucial for conservation and maintaining ecosystem services. Studies of biodiversity in landscapes where humans live, work, and extract resources could support defensible policy-making to manage land-use. Yet, research should cover relevant regions, and biases in study topics should not lead to gaps in the evidence base. We systematically reviewed the literature of biogeography in human-modified landscapes published in eight eminent biogeography, conservation, and ecology journals to assess geographical bias among biomes and geopolitical regions and taxonomic bias among species groups. We compared research output per biome to area, biome type, species richness, proportion of transformed land, and the ratio of transformed to protected land. We also compared research output per geopolitical region to area, proportion of transformed land, the ratio of transformed to protected land, and human population density. Research output was distributed unequally among biomes, geopolitical regions, and species groups. Biome type was a clear factor in research bias, and forest biomes were the subject of 87% of papers, while species richness was not generally associated with bias. Conservation in human-modified landscapes is most important in regions with low protected area coverage, high land conversion, and high pressure from human populations, yet the distribution of published papers did not generally reflect these threats. Seventy-five percent of studies focused on the Americas and Europe, while Africa and Asia were critically understudied. Taxonomically, plants and invertebrates were the most studied groups; however, research output was not correlated with species richness per group. Protected areas alone will not conserve biodiversity in the long term. Thus, a strong biogeographical evidence base is required to support policies for biodiversity maintenance on human-modified land. Under-studied regions and species groups deserve further research to elucidate what, where, and how biodiversity persists in human-modified landscapes to inform conservation policy and enhance efficacy.

show abstract

“…In Alpine regions, as in most of Europe, Scarabaeoidea are likely to be particularly affected by the decline of traditional livestock raising (Jay-Robert et al 2008b). This process may bring about deep changes in dung beetle communities (Borghesio et al 2001) because it deprives them of food resources which used to be supplied by domestic livestock in the past and force them to be increasingly dependent on usually scarce wild mammal populations (Lumaret 1990;Biström et al 1991;Jay-Robert et al 2008b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The maintenance of extensively exploited pastures within the Alpine mountain belt: implications for dung beetle conservation (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

Macagno

Palestrini

2009

Biodivers Conserv

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The abandonment of marginal areas and the decline of traditional small-scale cattle-breeding is bringing about substantial changes in many areas of the Alpine mountain belt. Extensively exploited pastures, which were colonized by typical ecological communities, are now being replaced by shrublands and forests. In this paper, we evaluate the effectiveness of the maintenance of small pastures for dung beetle (Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae, Aphodiidae, Scarabaeidae) conservation in a protected area of the northwestern Italian Alps. From July until September 2007, we studied the dung beetle coenosis in the main habitats of the mountain belt: beech forest, scots pine forest, mountain pine forest and pasture. Twenty-three species were sampled. We compared abundance, species richness, a-diversity, evenness and species turnover between the four habitat assemblages and performed a correspondence analysis based on dominance patterns of the three families. Two main ensembles were identified: a pasture ensemble, highly diverse and dominated by Scarabaeidae, and a closed habitats ensemble, less structured and dominated by Aphodiidae and Geotrupidae. Combining habitat specificity and fidelity, the IndVal method showed that half of the species collected made a strong habitat selection toward pasture, while only C. granarius (Aphodiidae) was a reliable indicator of woody areas. We therefore conclude that the loss of extensively exploited pastures may bring about fundamental changes in dung insect communities. In protected areas, a management policy intended to preserve the traditional, sustainable human activities within the mountain belt is highly recommended for the conservation of these insects.

show abstract

Relative efficiency of extensive grazing vs. wild ungulates management for dung beetle conservation in a heterogeneous landscape from Southern Europe (Scarabaeinae, Aphodiinae, Geotrupinae)

Cited by 52 publications

References 40 publications

Effects of grazing intensity and the use of veterinary medical products on dung beetle biodiversity in the sub-mountainous landscape of Central Italy

Effects of grazing intensity and the use of veterinary medical products on dung beetle biodiversity in the sub-mountainous landscape of Central Italy

Geographical and taxonomic biases in research on biodiversity in human‐modified landscapes

The maintenance of extensively exploited pastures within the Alpine mountain belt: implications for dung beetle conservation (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About