Sardinian deer increase feeding diversity within sheltering vegetation in a fragmented Mediterranean landscape.

IF 3.8 2区 综合性期刊 Q1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES
Sabine Aboling, Fahad Ahmed, Gunnar Kreisel, Josef Kamphues, Maria Grazia Cappai
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the feeding behavior of Sardinian deer roaming within a site of community interest (SCI, ITB042250), on Sardinian Island (39° 51' N 8° 45' E). Crop fields bordering the natural environment (wood forest and Mediterranean macchia, where the reserve of Sardinian deer partly overlaps) were monitored and turned into a living lab. The interest on wildlife-related crop damage poses a significant economic challenge, while anthropogenic pressures, such as urbanization and agricultural practices, increasingly impact wildlife by limiting habitat, feeding source diversity and access, and space distribution. In view of this, dietary habits of a group of 25 Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus Erxleben, 1777) were studied over an area of 45 hectares, in spring and autumn over two consecutive years. Within six representative sites (habitats) of investigation (SOI = 3 ha), two transects of 20 × 10 m per SOI, amounting to 240 m², served as parts of these sites, respectively, and were analyzed as to floristic composition and dominating plants. The number of freshly browsed/grazed plants by missing shoots was counted and assumed as signs of foraging activity of the Sardinian deer. The evenness of the dietary preference per habitat was calculated with the number of missing shoots and the number of plant species selected. The Mediterranean macchia accounted for the highest species (n = 76); crop field the fewest species (n = 19). Plants showing foraging signs by Sardinian deer ranged between n. 5 out of 46 species (10.9%) in the fallow and n. 6 out of 19 species (31.6%) in the crop field. Complementary feeding based on the availability of floristic diversity revealed to align to the typical foraging behavior of intermediate feeder in all SOIs: the higher the species, the higher the number of foraged species (ρ = 0.86). Sardinian deer foraged on n. 35 out of 129 plant species present (27.1%) within the whole transect area. Data highlight two feeding behavior: 1)high evenness-feeding (less foraging on high number of plant species, respectively: fallow, crop field, macchia border); 2) low evenness-feeding (large foraging on few species, Avena or Cytisus: field, bordering both macchia and fallow, macchia).The Sardinian deer fed on every SOI, with highest consumption in the macchia and least in oat open field. The feeding behavior of Sardinian deer confirms the ability to adapt to the varying vegetation in each habitat, respectively, by seeking energy and nutrients on the one hand and shelter on the other, by limiting the preference for crop field center.

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来源期刊
Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports Natural Science Disciplines-
CiteScore
7.50
自引率
4.30%
发文量
19567
审稿时长
3.9 months
期刊介绍: We publish original research from all areas of the natural sciences, psychology, medicine and engineering. You can learn more about what we publish by browsing our specific scientific subject areas below or explore Scientific Reports by browsing all articles and collections. Scientific Reports has a 2-year impact factor: 4.380 (2021), and is the 6th most-cited journal in the world, with more than 540,000 citations in 2020 (Clarivate Analytics, 2021). •Engineering Engineering covers all aspects of engineering, technology, and applied science. It plays a crucial role in the development of technologies to address some of the world''s biggest challenges, helping to save lives and improve the way we live. •Physical sciences Physical sciences are those academic disciplines that aim to uncover the underlying laws of nature — often written in the language of mathematics. It is a collective term for areas of study including astronomy, chemistry, materials science and physics. •Earth and environmental sciences Earth and environmental sciences cover all aspects of Earth and planetary science and broadly encompass solid Earth processes, surface and atmospheric dynamics, Earth system history, climate and climate change, marine and freshwater systems, and ecology. It also considers the interactions between humans and these systems. •Biological sciences Biological sciences encompass all the divisions of natural sciences examining various aspects of vital processes. The concept includes anatomy, physiology, cell biology, biochemistry and biophysics, and covers all organisms from microorganisms, animals to plants. •Health sciences The health sciences study health, disease and healthcare. This field of study aims to develop knowledge, interventions and technology for use in healthcare to improve the treatment of patients.
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