干旱区生态环境知识资源中心(Arid): Shrub encroachment is not always land degradation: Insights from ground-dwelling beetle species niches along a shrub cover gradient in a semi-arid Namibian savanna

Arid

DOI	10.1002/ldr.3197
	Shrub encroachment is not always land degradation: Insights from ground-dwelling beetle species niches along a shrub cover gradient in a semi-arid Namibian savanna
	Hering, Robert 1; Hauptfleisch, Morgan 2; Geissler, Katja 1; Marquart, Arnim 1; Schoenen, Maria 1; Blaum, Niels 1
通讯作者	Hering, Robert
来源期刊	LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
ISSN	1085-3278
EISSN	1099-145X
出版年	2019
卷号	30 期号:1 页码:14-24
英文摘要	Shrub encroachment in semi-arid savannas is induced by interacting effects of climate, fire suppression, and unsustainable livestock farming; it carries a severe risk of land degradation and strongly influences natural communities that provide key ecosystem functions. However, species-specific effects of shrub cover on many animal groups that act as indicators of degradation remain largely unknown. We analysed the consequences of shrub encroachment for ground-dwelling beetles in a semi-arid Namibian savanna rangeland, where beetles and vegetation were recorded along a shrub cover gradient (30%). Focusing on species niche breadths and optima, we identified two crucial shrub cover thresholds (2.9% and 10.0%), corresponding to major changes in the beetle communities with implications for savanna ecosystem functioning. Niche optima of most species were between the first and second thresholds; beyond the second threshold, saprophagous, coprophagous, and rare predatory beetles declined in numbers and diversity. This is problematic because beetles provide important ecosystem functions, such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, we also found that certain species were adapted to high shrub cover, thus providing examples of niche differentiation. Despite the predominantly negative effects of heavy shrub encroachment on beetle communities, shrubs in their early life stages apparently provide essential structures, which enhance habitat quality for ground-dwelling beetles. Our results demonstrate that shrub encroachment can have mixed effects on ground-dwelling beetle communities and hence on savanna ecosystem functioning. We, therefore, conclude that rangeland management and restoration should consider the complex trade-offs between species-specific effects and the level of encroachment for sustainable land use.
英文关键词	Coleoptera rangeland semi-arid savanna shrub encroachment species niche threshold
类型	Article
语种	英语
国家	Germany ; Namibia
收录类别	SCI-E
WOS记录号	WOS:000454406600002
WOS关键词	WOODY PLANT ENCROACHMENT ; DUNG DECOMPOSITION ; DIVERSITY ; KALAHARI ; VEGETATION ; RESPONSES ; PATTERNS ; ASSEMBLAGES ; PREDATION ; RAINFALL
WOS类目	Environmental Sciences ; Soil Science
WOS研究方向	Environmental Sciences & Ecology ; Agriculture
资源类型	期刊论文
条目标识符	http://119.78.100.177/qdio/handle/2XILL650/217451
作者单位	1.Univ Potsdam, Plant Ecol & Nat Conservat, Potsdam, Germany; 2.Namibia Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Agr & Nat Resources Sci, Windhoek, Namibia
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Hering, Robert,Hauptfleisch, Morgan,Geissler, Katja,et al. Shrub encroachment is not always land degradation: Insights from ground-dwelling beetle species niches along a shrub cover gradient in a semi-arid Namibian savanna[J],2019,30(1):14-24.
APA	Hering, Robert,Hauptfleisch, Morgan,Geissler, Katja,Marquart, Arnim,Schoenen, Maria,&Blaum, Niels.(2019).Shrub encroachment is not always land degradation: Insights from ground-dwelling beetle species niches along a shrub cover gradient in a semi-arid Namibian savanna.LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT,30(1),14-24.
MLA	Hering, Robert,et al."Shrub encroachment is not always land degradation: Insights from ground-dwelling beetle species niches along a shrub cover gradient in a semi-arid Namibian savanna".LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT 30.1(2019):14-24.