Effect of burrowing activity of root vole (Microtus oeconomus Pallas) on plant diversity in alpine meadow

• Autorzy: Sun P. , Zhao X. , Zhu W. , Xu S.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Herbivory and burrowing activity of mammals may influence the species composition and diversity of plant communities. The effect of corridors and holes systems constructed by root vole (Microtus oeconomus Pallas) on the plant species diversity was studied in the habitat of high - mountain meadow (3250 m a.s.l in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China). By using grid method, these disturbances were studied on 16 plots (100 cm x 100 cm) distributed in 4 transects in studied area, in August 2000 and 2001.The disturbance intensity index, D, was calculated as the percent of the ground surface disturbed by voles in the study area. Plant species were identified and counted on the same plots. In total 46 plant species were identified - 39% of this number was considered as sensitive to the vole disturbances as their occurrence and/or abundance decreased along the disturbance intensity. Generally, a significantly negative correlation (r = - 0.911, P < 0.01) between vole aboveground disturbances and plant species diversity (H') was found. The results suggest that root vole ground disturbances, especially in the form of actively utilized holes and corridors have significantly negative influence on plant species diversity in high-mountain grassland habitat.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

alpine meadow; burrowing; ground disturbance; root vole (Microtus oeconomus); species diversity

• Wydawca: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2005
• Tom: Vol. 53, nr 4
• Strony: 597--602
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 10 poz., tab., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Sun P.

• Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Quinghai Province, China

autor

Zhao X.

• Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Quinghai Province, China

autor

Zhu W.

• Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Quinghai Province, China

autor

Xu S.

• Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Quinghai Province, China

Bibliografia

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