Impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands

Abstract Mediterranean pastures are experiencing strong changes in management, involving shifts from sheep to cattle-based livestock systems. The impacts of such shifts on biodiversity are still poorly understood. Here, we sought to contrast the grazing regime, vegetation structure, bird species ric...

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Autores principales:	Rita F. Ramos, João A. Diogo, Joana Santana, João P. Silva, Luís Reino, Stefan Schindler, Pedro Beja, Angela Lomba, Francisco Moreira
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2021
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/d18fc8e066384fafa38d940c2fc9ea57
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:d18fc8e066384fafa38d940c2fc9ea572021-12-02T15:49:45ZImpacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands10.1038/s41598-021-89975-x2045-2322https://doaj.org/article/d18fc8e066384fafa38d940c2fc9ea572021-05-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89975-xhttps://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract Mediterranean pastures are experiencing strong changes in management, involving shifts from sheep to cattle-based livestock systems. The impacts of such shifts on biodiversity are still poorly understood. Here, we sought to contrast the grazing regime, vegetation structure, bird species richness and abundance, between sheep and cattle grazed parcels, to understand the mechanisms through which management decisions impact farmland birds. During spring 2019, we characterized livestock management, bird populations and sward structure in 23 cattle and 27 sheep grazed parcels. We used a Structural Equation Model to infer the direct and indirect effects of sheep and cattle grazing on birds. Although no effects were found on overall species richness, there were species-specific responses to sheep and cattle grazed systems. Grazing pressure (variable integrating stocking rate and the number of days in the parcel) had negative impacts on the prevalence/abundance of Zitting Cisticola, Corn Bunting and Little Bustard, either directly or indirectly, through the effects of grazing pressure on vegetation height. Animal density and vegetation cover had direct positive effects in Galerida spp. and Common Quail, respectively. Zitting Cisticola and Little Bustard also showed a direct response to livestock type. Our study emphasizes the importance of grazing pressure as a driver of negative impacts for bird populations in Mediterranean grasslands. Since the ongoing transition from sheep to cattle-based systems involves increases in stocking rate, and therefore potentially higher grazing pressure, we propose a policy change to cap the maximum allowed grazing pressure. At the landscape scale, a mix of sheep and cattle grazed fields would be beneficial for maintaining bird diversity.Rita F. RamosJoão A. DiogoJoana SantanaJoão P. SilvaLuís ReinoStefan SchindlerPedro BejaAngela LombaFrancisco MoreiraNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-10 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q Rita F. Ramos João A. Diogo Joana Santana João P. Silva Luís Reino Stefan Schindler Pedro Beja Angela Lomba Francisco Moreira Impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands
description	Abstract Mediterranean pastures are experiencing strong changes in management, involving shifts from sheep to cattle-based livestock systems. The impacts of such shifts on biodiversity are still poorly understood. Here, we sought to contrast the grazing regime, vegetation structure, bird species richness and abundance, between sheep and cattle grazed parcels, to understand the mechanisms through which management decisions impact farmland birds. During spring 2019, we characterized livestock management, bird populations and sward structure in 23 cattle and 27 sheep grazed parcels. We used a Structural Equation Model to infer the direct and indirect effects of sheep and cattle grazing on birds. Although no effects were found on overall species richness, there were species-specific responses to sheep and cattle grazed systems. Grazing pressure (variable integrating stocking rate and the number of days in the parcel) had negative impacts on the prevalence/abundance of Zitting Cisticola, Corn Bunting and Little Bustard, either directly or indirectly, through the effects of grazing pressure on vegetation height. Animal density and vegetation cover had direct positive effects in Galerida spp. and Common Quail, respectively. Zitting Cisticola and Little Bustard also showed a direct response to livestock type. Our study emphasizes the importance of grazing pressure as a driver of negative impacts for bird populations in Mediterranean grasslands. Since the ongoing transition from sheep to cattle-based systems involves increases in stocking rate, and therefore potentially higher grazing pressure, we propose a policy change to cap the maximum allowed grazing pressure. At the landscape scale, a mix of sheep and cattle grazed fields would be beneficial for maintaining bird diversity.
format	article
author	Rita F. Ramos João A. Diogo Joana Santana João P. Silva Luís Reino Stefan Schindler Pedro Beja Angela Lomba Francisco Moreira
author_facet	Rita F. Ramos João A. Diogo Joana Santana João P. Silva Luís Reino Stefan Schindler Pedro Beja Angela Lomba Francisco Moreira
author_sort	Rita F. Ramos
title	Impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands
title_short	Impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands
title_full	Impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands
title_fullStr	Impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands
title_full_unstemmed	Impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands
title_sort	impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of mediterranean grasslands
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/d18fc8e066384fafa38d940c2fc9ea57
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Impacts of sheep versus cattle livestock systems on birds of Mediterranean grasslands

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