Journal article
Impact of livestock grazing on the terrestrial arthropod diversity in the arid zone of Mongolia
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL, v 90(1), p487
11 Jul 2023
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Arthropods play an essential role in steppe ecosystems. However, studies testing the overall response of terrestrial arthropods to overgrazing are scarce. The problem is particularly worrisome in Central Asia, while, to date, only a very few broader studies have been conducted in this region. We investigated how epigeic terrestrial arthropod assemblages respond to different livestock grazing pressure in two ecozones in SE Mongolia by examining their structure using pitfall traps. We also assessed which groups can be utilised as the most efficient indicators of grazing intensity. Our analyses demonstrated that the habitat type, grazing intensity, and the interaction of these variables had a significant effect on the overall species composition and abundance. However, the grazing intensity caused different changes in the composition of arthropod communities in both studied ecozones. Contrary to the semi-desert, in the steppe habitat, the grazing had the strongest impact in the moderately grazed site. It is most likely because steppe-dwelling species are more sensitive to loss of plant biomass and changes in habitat structure. We also found that the most representative species within and from different groups can react differently to changing grazing intensities, indicating with their presence the characteristics of the respective habitat. Such differences should also be considered when elaborating the management plan of conserved species but also when applying grazing management in different habitat types. Our survey is one of the most comprehensive in Central Asia and should help implement further, more targeted studies in the corresponding habitats.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Impact of livestock grazing on the terrestrial arthropod diversity in the arid zone of Mongolia
- Publication Details
- EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL, v 90(1), p487
- Publisher
- TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD; ABINGDON
- Grant note
- This research was possible thanks to the support from the National Science Centre, Poland granted to LK under the MINIATURA 2 Project [2018/02/X/NZ8/00235].
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001012571200001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85163687981
- Other Identifier
- 991021860724104721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Zoology