Knowledge Resource Center for Ecological Environment in Arid Area
DOI | 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2009.01.001 |
Can kangaroo rat graminivory contribute to the persistence of desertified shrublands? | |
Kerley, G. I. H.1,2; Whitford, W. G.2 | |
通讯作者 | Kerley, G. I. H. |
来源期刊 | JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
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ISSN | 0140-1963 |
出版年 | 2009 |
卷号 | 73期号:6-7页码:651-657 |
英文摘要 | Medium-sized kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp. Gray) function as keystone species in the dynamics of desert bunchgrasses. We tested the hypothesis that kangaroo rat graminivory leads to reduced grass growth and inflorescence production, and that kangaroo rat grass consumption reflects their preferences for open microhabitats. We excluded kangaroo rats from grasses, and measured tiller loss, leaf and tiller growth and inflorescence production. We recorded the extent of tiller loss in grasses varying in tussock size or the extent of surrounding cover. Consumption of tillers by kangaroo rats was extensive, peaking in late summer. Grasses protected from kangaroo rat graminivory showed elevated leaf and tiller growth and inflorescence production. Grass tussocks protected by surrounding vegetation or large grass tussocks suffered lower graminivory than tussocks in the open or small tussocks. Our data demonstrate that the mechanism of the keystone role of kangaroo rats is through direct graminivory. We hypothesize that kangaroo rat graminivory may contribute to the persistence of desertified shrublands by limiting grass recruitment and abundance. Medium-sized kangaroo rats prefer open microhabitats and increase in abundance as such microhabitats increase, suggesting a positive feedback, with kangaroo rats increasing in abundance in overgrazed, desertified landscapes, and then contributing to their persistence through graminivory. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
英文关键词 | Desert bunch grasses Desertification Dipodomys merriami Dipodomys ordii Eragrostis lehmanniana Keystone species Patch use Positive feedback Sporobolus flexuosus |
类型 | Article |
语种 | 英语 |
国家 | South Africa ; USA |
收录类别 | SCI-E |
WOS记录号 | WOS:000266298900009 |
WOS关键词 | DIPODOMYS-MERRIAMI ; CHIHUAHUAN DESERT ; GREEN VEGETATION ; FOOD HABITS ; REPRODUCTION ; RODENTS ; POPULATIONS ; CONSUMPTION ; COMMUNITIES ; GRASSLAND |
WOS类目 | Ecology ; Environmental Sciences |
WOS研究方向 | Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
来源机构 | New Mexico State University |
资源类型 | 期刊论文 |
条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.177/qdio/handle/2XILL650/161352 |
作者单位 | 1.Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Univ, Ctr African Conservat Ecol, ZA-6031 Port Elizabeth, South Africa; 2.New Mexico State Univ, Las Cruces, NM 88001 USA |
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | Kerley, G. I. H.,Whitford, W. G.. Can kangaroo rat graminivory contribute to the persistence of desertified shrublands?[J]. New Mexico State University,2009,73(6-7):651-657. |
APA | Kerley, G. I. H.,&Whitford, W. G..(2009).Can kangaroo rat graminivory contribute to the persistence of desertified shrublands?.JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS,73(6-7),651-657. |
MLA | Kerley, G. I. H.,et al."Can kangaroo rat graminivory contribute to the persistence of desertified shrublands?".JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS 73.6-7(2009):651-657. |
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