The impact of warrens of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) on soil and ecological processes in a semi-arid Australian woodland

Threatened inland sand vegetation in the temperate zone under different types of abiotic and biotic disturbances during a ten-year period

“…However, species diversity of the investigated area did not change and the plots showed only minor shifts in the DCA diagram. Sheep grazing reduced the num- ber of tall-growing plant species and primarily sheep-grazed plots had a lower litter cover, which is consistent with findings of Croft et al (2002), Eldridge andMyers (2001), or Hellström et al (2003). In accordance with our hypothesis 1 we assume that these sites can maintain their structure due to positively related disturbance effects, which are in particular grazing and trampling in moderate intensities.…”

Burrowing by badgers (Meles meles) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) changes soil conditions and vegetation in a European temperate forest

“…The latter are perhaps the most well-known; usually they are small herbivores and insectivores inhabiting mainly arid and semi-arid environments (e.g., gophers, rabbits, porcupines, pack rats, marsupials, moles). Many of them have been recognized as ecosystem engineers (sensu Jones et al 1994), as they occur in great densities and dramatically alter the physical habitat and ecological communities (Eldridge and Myers 2001;Garkaklis et al 2004;Kerley et al 2004;Eldridge and Whitford 2009;Whitford and Steinberger 2010).…”

Ecosystem Engineering Effects of European Rabbits in a Mediterranean Habitat

“…These activities are frequently materialized in defined structures such as burrows, associated mounds, scrapes, latrines and paths, which generate patches with different characteristics. The area surrounding warrens is subjected to high levels of such disturbance, which affects mainly soils and vegetation (Eldridge and Myers 2001). These effects follow a distinct gradient, determined by rabbit use (Gillham 1955).…”