Engineering by Cape ground squirrels affects biodiversity in semi-arid grasslands

dc.contributor.authorEwacha, Michelle V.A.
dc.contributor.authorRoth, James D.
dc.contributor.authorWaterman, Jane M.
dc.date.accessioned2023-06-22T04:49:41Z
dc.date.issued2022-12
dc.description.abstractBurrowing mammals that disproportionately affect their physical environment, creating habitat and providing resources for other organisms, are considered ecosystem engineers. Such modifications are particularly important in dry grassland environments, where low precipitation and soil nutrients limit plant growth. We tested 5 hypotheses about the impact of Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) on plants and animals in a semi-arid grassland of South Africa. At each burrow cluster and paired control site without burrows, we estimated plant cover, height, and richness using quadrats, and invertebrate and small mammal abundance and richness using pit-fall traps and mark-recapture, respectively. We determined nitrogen concentrations in grasses on and off burrows and measured carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in plants and squirrel hair to determine squirrel diet. Burrows had greater plant cover and richness, particularly more shrubby vegetation, but plant height and nitrogen concentrations did not differ on and off burrows. Invertebrate and small mammal abundance and richness were greater on burrows. Squirrel disturbances in semi-arid grassland improved conditions for disturbance-dependent shrubs, which were rarely consumed by squirrels but are valuable forage for antelope and provide cover for invertebrates and small mammals. By altering habitat for plants reliant on disturbance, Cape ground squirrels enhance grassland biodiversity.en_US
dc.description.departmentMammal Research Instituteen_US
dc.description.departmentZoology and Entomologyen_US
dc.description.embargo2023-09-26
dc.description.librarianhj2023en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant and the University of Manitoba Faculty of Science Field Work Support Program.en_US
dc.description.urihttps://www.elsevier.com/locate/jaridenven_US
dc.identifier.citationEwacha, M.V.A., Roth, J.D. & Waterman, J.M. 2022, 'Engineering by Cape ground squirrels affects biodiversity in semi-arid grasslands', Journal of Arid Environments vol. 207, art. 104850, pp. 1-8, doi : 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2022.104850.en_US
dc.identifier.issn0140-1963 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1095-922X (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.jaridenv.2022.104850
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/91174
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherElsevieren_US
dc.rights© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Arid Environments. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Arid Environments, vol. 207, art. 104850, pp. 1-8, 2022, doi : 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2022.104850.en_US
dc.subjectCape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris)en_US
dc.subjectSemi-arid ecosystemsen_US
dc.subjectEcosystem engineeren_US
dc.subjectSemi-fossorial rodentsen_US
dc.subjectSouth Africa (SA)en_US
dc.subjectSDG-15: Life on landen_US
dc.titleEngineering by Cape ground squirrels affects biodiversity in semi-arid grasslandsen_US
dc.typePostprint Articleen_US

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