首页|Slow loss of a foundation species in agricultural landscapes: Effects of nutrients, land clearing, and other factors
Slow loss of a foundation species in agricultural landscapes: Effects of nutrients, land clearing, and other factors
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NSTL
Elsevier
Foundation species strongly influence other organisms and declines in foundation species due to disturbance can have impacts that extend throughout communities. Spinifex grasses (Triodia spp.) are foundation species of arid Australia that provide resources to many birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. We tested drivers of Triodia scariosa presence and abundance at local and landscape scales using a Bayesian structural equation model and species distribution modelling, based on the mapped distribution of 11,887 spinifex plants in remnant vegetation across a similar to 12,000 km(2) agricultural region. At the local scale (<1 km), there was a negative effect of soil phosphorus on spinifex abundance, particularly when the prevalence of other grasses was high. These results suggest that the combination of other grasses and nutrient enrichment promote hostile conditions for spinifex in small agricultural remnants, possibly through altered competitive interactions. However, at the landscape scale (100 + km), there was a positive effect of phosphorus on spinifex abundance, reinforcing the importance of multi-scale studies. Spinifex presence at the landscape scale was best determined by proximity to nature reserves. Sites closest to reserves were cleared later than more distant sites, which suggests a trajectory of decline consistent with an extinction debt. Our results correspond with a global phenomenon of delayed biodiversity loss and identify key threats to foundation species in human-dominated landscapes. Given that our proposed mechanisms of loss, nutrient enrichment and possible competition are widespread in agricultural regions throughout the world, understanding how to mitigate threats to foundation species should be a priority.
Agro-ecosystemCompetitionDelayed biodiversity lossDisturbanceExtinction debtFoundation speciesHabitat fragmentation and lossNutrient enrichmentSpinifex
Bell, Kristian、Driscoll, Don A.、Doherty, Tim S.
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Deakin Univ, Ctr Integrat Ecol, Sch Life & Environm Sci, Geelong, Vic, Australia
NSTL
Elsevier
