Topsoil mixing or fertilization? Forest flora changes in the vicinity of badgers’ (Meles meles L.) setts and latrines

Abstract

Aims The badgers may affect soil chemical properties and plant species composition in two ways: by digging burrows (topsoil mixing) and by using latrines (fertilized soils). Here is reported which kind of badgers' activity plays a major role. Methods Soil samples for pH, total N, NH 4 + , NO 3 − and data concerning plant species composition were collected on circular plots (N = 80) on burrow mounds, latrines and reference areas. Results Burrow mounds were characterized by higher pH and lower content of total N. The content of NH 4 + − main component of manure, was higher in latrines than on mounds, whereas in the case of mounds, the content of NO 3 − was higher than in latrines. There was higher plant species richness on the burrow mounds than on the other plot types. Also plant species characterized with traits allowing them to settle on disturbed habitats were recorded at a higher number on burrow mounds. CCA analysis distinguished only one herbaceous plant aggregation associated with burrow mounds. The presence of latrines with high rate of nitrogen input did not affect plant species composition due to a low rate of soil mixing. Conclusions Soil chemical properties and flora changes showed that badgers shape plant communities not by fertilization with excrements but, as a result of digging activity, by altering topsoil conditions.

Where to overwinter: burrows of medium‐sized carnivores as winter places for invertebrates in temperate environment

“…This is the first step towards further investigation. Taking into account previous studies concerning the importance of medium-sized carnivores for the protection and conservation of the diversity of the various species inhabiting their burrows (Kurek et al, 2014;Kurek & Cykowska-Marzencka, 2016;Rola et al, 2017;Kurek, 2019), our results strongly confirm the crucial role of badgers and foxes in the functioning of ecosystems.…”

Potentially toxic element accumulation in badgers (Meles meles): a compositional approach

“…Badgers also readily accumulate PTEs in their liver, muscle and kidney tissue (Ozimec et al, 2015;Ozimec et al, 2017) and adverse health impacts from PTE exposure have been documented (Bukovjan et al, 2014). Badgers also interact with soil to the extent of affecting the soil chemistry itself, by elevating pH and lowering soil total N in burrow mounds, demonstrating the extent to which the bioaccessibility pathway will affect PTE accumulation in badgers (Kurek, 2019). Badgers are omnivorous, though they prefer carnivory and protein comprises 40 -45% of their diet, however, this does vary seasonally (Abduriyim et al, 2019;Balestrieri et al, 2019).…”

Biodiversity and climate regulating functions of forests: current issues and prospects for research

“…процессы и функции лесов Роль животных в функционировании наземных экосистем, в том числе лесных, оценивалась в работах многих исследователей (Гиляров, 1951;Гиляров, Криволуцкий, 1985;Исаев и др., 2015;Isaev et al, 2017;Стриганова, 1980Стриганова, , Edwards et al, 1995Динесман, 1961;Ходашева, Елисеева, 1970;Формозов, 1976;Млекопитающие…, 1985;Абатуров, 1984;Раститель-ноядные…, 1986;Торопова, 1994;Бобровский, 2010;Горнов, 2013;Шевченко, 2016;Kurek, 2019;Saikkonen et al, 2019;Evstigneev, Solonina, 2020;Nummi, Holopainen, 2020 1994,2004).…”

“…При этом барсуки выносят на поверхность от 0.7 до 8.1 м 3 грунта (Соловьев, 2007). На бутанах значительно изменяют доступность питательных веществ, поскольку выброшенный материал из глубоких горизонтов почвы богат K, Ca, Mg, доступным P и обеднен C и N (Kurek et al, 2014;Kurek, 2019 Благодаря нарушениям, которые создают барсуки, и циклическим микросукцессиям, поддерживается многовидовой состав в травяном покрове. Механизм поддержания этого разнообразия осуществляется за счет пространственного перераспределения микрогруппировок с доминированием видов растений разных типов стратегии.…”