Effects of digging by a native and introduced ecosystem engineer on soil physical and chemical properties in temperate grassy woodland

PeerJ

article

Catherine E. Ross¹  Nicola T. Munro¹  Philip S. Barton¹  Maldwyn J. Evans¹  John Gillen¹  Ben C.T. Macdonald²  Sue McIntyre¹  Saul A. Cunningham¹  Adrian D. Manning¹ 

[1] Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University;CSIRO

关键词: Eastern bettong;    European rabbit;    Ecosystem engineer;    Soil nutrients;    Grassland;    Grassy woodland;    Digging;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.7506

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Temperate grasslands and woodlands are the focus of extensive restoration efforts worldwide. Reintroduction of locally extinct soil-foraging and burrowing animals has been suggested as a means to restore soil function in these ecosystems. Yet little is known about the physical and chemical effects of digging on soil over time and how these effects differ between species of digging animal, vegetation types or ecosystems. We compared foraging pits of a native reintroduced marsupial, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and that of the exotic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We simulated pits of these animals and measured pit dimensions and soil chemical properties over a period of 2 years. We showed that bettong and rabbit pits differed in their morphology and longevity, and that pits had a strong moderating effect on soil surface temperatures. Over 75% of the simulated pits were still visible after 2 years, and bettong pits infilled faster than rabbit pits. Bettong pits reduced diurnal temperature range by up to 25 °C compared to the soil surface. We did not find any effects of digging on soil chemistry that were consistent across vegetation types, between bettong and rabbit pits, and with time since digging, which is contrary to studies conducted in arid biomes. Our findings show that animal foraging pits in temperate ecosystems cause physical alteration of the soil surface and microclimatic conditions rather than nutrient changes often observed in arid areas.

【 授权许可】

CC BY