Arid
DOI10.1016/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
ISSN0140-1963
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
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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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