Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment最新文献

{"title":"Deep plowing enhanced soil nematode communities and soil quality in dryland wheat fields on the Loess Plateau of China","authors":"Yuejing Qiao ,&nbsp;Duo Gao ,&nbsp;Yaqi Fan ,&nbsp;Lijing Zhang ,&nbsp;Qiuyan Yan ,&nbsp;Laichun Guo ,&nbsp;Junyong Ge ,&nbsp;Tingmiao Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deep plowing and subsoiling are the primary methods for soil water retention in dryland farming areas of the Loess Plateau during the summer fallow period of winter wheat. Soil nematodes serve as biological indicators of the soil ecological health. However, we have limited understanding of the relationship between soil biological communities in the soil micro-food web of dryland tillage. This study investigated soil nematode and microbial communities，as well as the soil properties under deep plowing tillage (DT), subsoiling (SS), and no tillage (NT) in dryland wheat fields on the Loess Plateau, based on a 5-year experiment. The results indicated that nematodes were mainly distributed in the 0–20 cm soil layer. Plant parasitic nematodes (Pp) were dominant during the wheat growth period, while bacterivore nematodes (Ba) prevailed during the non-wheat growth period. With the lowest plant parasite index (PPI), highest maturity index (MI) and structure index (SI) of the nematode community, DT enhanced soil microecological stability. Additionally, DT demonstrated the highest overall soil quality, characterized by significantly higher soil moisture, available potassium contents, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^--N levels, microbial abundance, and soil enzymatic activities. The highest soil organic carbon content and the most intricate interactions between nematodes and microbial communities were noted under SS, along with the highest level of cooperation among various soil biota. Furthermore, bacteria, fungi, and soil properties positively affected soil nematodes, with the soil properties exerting the most significant impact (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), particularly through soil aggregate stability, moisture, and microbial biomass having significant effects. Soil moisture was positively correlated with the most dominant nematode and bacterial genera. In summary, DT significantly enhanced the structures of soil nematodes and microbial communities and stabilized the soil micro-food web by improving soil moisture and quality. It serves as an effective tillage practice for wheat fields in the dry-farming areas of the Loess Plateau.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"387 ","pages":"Article 109625"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant evenness improves forage mineral content in semi-natural grasslands","authors":"Cian Blaix ,&nbsp;Didier Alard ,&nbsp;Olivier Chabrerie ,&nbsp;Sylvain Diquélou ,&nbsp;Thierry Dutoit ,&nbsp;Hugo Fontès ,&nbsp;Servane Lemauviel-Lavenant ,&nbsp;Grégory Loucougaray ,&nbsp;Alice Michelot-Antalik ,&nbsp;Anne Bonis","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Compared to intensive grasslands, semi-natural grasslands host species-rich and functionally diversified plant communities, and thus represent habitats of high conservation interest. Less is known about their ability to provide high-quality forage fitting livestock requirements regarding mineral content in particular, and thus contribute to livestock health. We address this question by measuring forage macro- and micro-mineral content across a range of semi-natural grassland types in nine locations in France and compare it to standards required for cattle health. We also developed a multi-criteria method using forage mineral concentrations and their recommended ranges to determine general mineral concentration quality (MinQ) in forage. We investigated if forage mineral content and MinQ was related to plant community composition, soil characteristics, and land-use intensity of semi-natural grassland forages. Good forage quality in terms of mineral content was found, matching the reference values, in the majority of the extensively managed semi-natural grasslands studied. Plant species evenness was positively correlated with MinQ. The forage mineral quality varied depending on the community weighted mean of the specific leaf area (SLA_CWM) and the leaf dry matter content (LDMC_CWM). It increased with increasing SLA_CWM and decreased with increasing LDMC_CWM. The results demonstrate that a good compatibility between plant evenness and forage mineral quality can be obtained in semi-natural grasslands which suggests that the continued management of these habitats can offer agronomic services as well as conservation values.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"387 ","pages":"Article 109622"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143643328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond borders: The role of protected areas in promoting bat-mediated pest suppression in rural areas of Madagascar","authors":"Carme Tuneu-Corral ,&nbsp;Chatain Andrianalijaona ,&nbsp;Fabrice Davy Benirina ,&nbsp;Steven M. Goodman ,&nbsp;Vanessa A. Mata ,&nbsp;Michaël Luciano Tantely ,&nbsp;Mar Cabeza ,&nbsp;Cecilia Montauban ,&nbsp;David López-Bosch ,&nbsp;Adrià López-Baucells","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109590","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109590","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Protected areas can play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural sustainability by supporting ecosystem services that mitigate key challenges faced by rural farming communities. In Madagascar, subsistence agriculture is a major driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss, worsened by pest-related agricultural and harvest losses. Insectivorous bats are widely known natural enemies of agricultural pests, but the role of protected areas in safeguarding this service in surrounding rural landscapes is unclear. This study investigates the benefits provided by insectivorous bats roosting within protected areas of northern Madagascar, focusing on their potential to suppress agricultural pests and disease vectors. We used molecular techniques to analyse the diet of bats based on faecal samples from several species and locations. We found that most bat species consumed arthropod pests affecting rice and other crops, as well as several vectors of pathogens that cause diseases in humans and animals, such as mosquito vectors of <em>Plasmodium</em> sp. Given their mobility and home ranges, we suggest that certain bat species roosting in protected areas have the dispersal capacity to forage in nearby agricultural landscapes, contributing to pest suppression and disease risk reduction. Hence, protecting bat roosts within and around protected areas may offer a cost-effective means to enhance agricultural productivity and public health. These findings underscore the need to integrate ecosystem services into conservation and land-use management strategies, fostering sustainability and rural welfare in Madagascar.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"387 ","pages":"Article 109590"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143644045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rotational grazing can enhance the soil available nutrients rather than plant diversity to promote ANPP of alpine steppe","authors":"Fengcai He ,&nbsp;Shikui Dong ,&nbsp;Juejie Yang ,&nbsp;Xinghai Hao ,&nbsp;Chunhui Ma ,&nbsp;Hao Shen ,&nbsp;Jiannan Xiao ,&nbsp;Yu Li ,&nbsp;Ran Zhang ,&nbsp;Hang Shi ,&nbsp;Ziying Wang ,&nbsp;Yuhao Zhang ,&nbsp;Hui Zuo","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109617","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109617","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The alpine steppe on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) has been experienced a long-term influence by grazing livestock, resulting the changes in the material cycle of grasslands. By investigating the responses of plant community composition and soil nutrient to grazing regimes (i.e., continuous grazing and rotational grazing) and intensity (4, 6, and 8 sheep per hectare), we examined the mechanisms of maintaining the productivity, tried to answer the questions how grazing regulate the aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) of the alpine steppe the QTP. Our results showed that medium rotational grazing increased the soil stoichiometry including TC: TN ratio, TN: TP ratio, and TC: TP ratio, whereas continuous grazing only increased TC: TP ratio. Structural equation modeling further revealed that grazing affected soil available nutrient by intermediating soil nutrient balance, and increased NH₄^＋-N and NO₃⁻-N. Compared with continuous grazing, rotational grazing could significantly improve ANPP. Soil available nutrients respond preferentially to grazing compare with plant diversity to maintain grassland productivity in the alpine steppe on QTP. These results are meaningful for developing the rational grazing management practices on grasslands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"387 ","pages":"Article 109617"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143644046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Well-designed multi-species grassland mixtures enhance both soil carbon inputs and aboveground productivity” [Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 385 (2025) 109578]","authors":"Esben Øster Mortensen ,&nbsp;Diego Abalos ,&nbsp;Jim Rasmussen","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109619","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"386 ","pages":"Article 109619"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143682129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grazing overrides precipitation reduction to regulate growth of a dominant species in a typical steppe","authors":"Liyuan Shi ,&nbsp;Zhen Wang ,&nbsp;Xiong Z. He ,&nbsp;Lan Li ,&nbsp;An Hu ,&nbsp;Fujiang Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Overgrazing and drought are critical drivers of grassland degradation, yet their combined impacts on plant growth and succession, especially the dominant species, are still poorly understood, making it difficult to develop the sustainable pasture management. We conducted a three-year field experiment (2019–2021) on China’s Loess Plateau to assess the intricate impacts of grazing management (NG – no grazing, CG – cassation of grazing, and HG – grazing with high intensity) and precipitation reduction (R0 – no precipitation reduction, R30 – 30 % precipitation reduction, and R60 – 60 % precipitation reduction) on the growth and reproduction of <em>Artemisia capillaris</em>, a dominant species in the semi-arid grassland ecosystem. Our results show that HG significantly decreased plant height, crown width, reproductive branches, and aboveground biomass. CG only facilitated partial recovery of these traits, suggesting a prolonging grazing cassation is essential for ecosystem restoration after a long period of overgrazing. <em>A. capillaris</em> exhibited a preference for asexual reproduction, with potential trade-offs between sexual and asexual modes in response to varying environmental conditions. Precipitation reduction primarily affected vertical growth, with cumulative effects observed after three years (i.e., in 2021). Compared to precipitation reduction, grazing imposed a more substantial negative impact on aboveground biomass, indicating the need for optimum grazing strategies in grassland management. The findings underscore the importance of considering dominant species and highlight the long-term consequences of overgrazing that must be incorporated into sustainable grassland management practices in semi-arid regions. The study delivers insights into pasture management science, and addresses that grazing cessation may be an appropriate method of grassland management, mitigating the negative effects of prolonged overgrazing and precipitation reduction on the growth and reproduction of dominant species in semi-arid regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"386 ","pages":"Article 109614"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143636559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbially mediated rhizospheric phosphorus turnover promotes wheat yield by enhancing phosphorus bioavailability","authors":"Zihan Fan ,&nbsp;Yee-Shan Ku ,&nbsp;Zhe Li ,&nbsp;Ke Dang ,&nbsp;Lan Gao ,&nbsp;Hongbing Li ,&nbsp;Yinglong Chen ,&nbsp;Lina Yin ,&nbsp;Suiqi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wheat is the most important and widespread grain crop. However, the influence of cultivars released in different decades of modern breeding on the rhizospheric microbial community involved in phosphorus (P) cycling, including <em>phoD</em>- and <em>pqqC</em>-harboring microorganisms, remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of different P fertilization levels (0 and 100 kg ha⁻¹) and soil moisture conditions (well-watered and drought stress) on five major wheat varieties cultivated in Shaanxi, China, which were released between the 1940s and 2010s. We quantified the key indices of rhizospheric P turnover and analyzed the influences of soil P bioavailability on yield and P accumulation. Our results revealed that the newest variety (Changhan 58) accumulated more P and produced more grain yield than the oldest variety (Mazha) did (by up to 79.4 % and 92.6 %, respectively), as the concentration of rhizospheric labile P (resin-P, NaHCO₃-Pi and NaHCO₃-Po) increased by 1.33–2.03-fold. Correlation analysis of key microbial biomarkers with environmental factors revealed that among them, OTU1486, OTU16602, and OTU9370 were significantly positively correlated with the labile P pool and significantly negatively correlated with NaOH-Po. These findings suggest their potential role in supporting the microbial community assembly and further promoting P mobilization. The results of the PLS<img>PM model revealed that the soil labile-P pool is mainly directly regulated by the <em>phoD</em>-harboring microbial community and the moderately labile-P pool. Moreover, the <em>pqqC</em>-harboring microbial community indirectly regulates the soil labile-P pool by influencing the moderately labile-P pool. This study provides valuable insights for improving P management in wheat production, emphasizing the importance of modern wheat varieties and microbial dynamics in optimizing P use efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"387 ","pages":"Article 109618"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143641993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Subsurface placement of controlled-release blended fertilizers mitigates ammonia volatilization by promoting nitrogen transformation in rice fields","authors":"Sajjad Ahmad ,&nbsp;Muhammad Yousaf Nadeem ,&nbsp;Shen Gao ,&nbsp;Quanxin Li ,&nbsp;Yanfeng Ding ,&nbsp;Zhenghui Liu ,&nbsp;Yu Jiang ,&nbsp;Weiwei Li ,&nbsp;Ganghua Li","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109624","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109624","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ammonia volatilization from rice fields is a major source of nitrogen loss following fertilizer application, but it can be mitigated by using controlled-release blended fertilizers, which synchronize nutrients release according to crop demand. Therefore, the current study was conducted for two consecutive rice-growing seasons; three levels of controlled-release blended fertilizers were compared with recommended fertilizers and simple blended fertilizers to evaluate their impact on ammonia volatilization, nitrogen transformation, and crop performance in rice fields. The results indicates that the application of controlled-release blended fertilizers significantly improved soil dynamics, enhances yield and yield components, increasing alkali nitrogen and ammonium concentration while reducing nitrate levels and ammonia volatilization compared to recommended fertilizers and simple blended fertilizers treatments. Furthermore, controlled-release blended fertilizers amendments boost nitrogen uptake and nitrogen recovery efficiency in rice plants by activating nitrogen metabolism enzymes, including nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthase, and upregulated the expression level of genes encoding nitrogen metabolism (<em>NRT2.1, AMT1, GS1, and GOGAT1</em>) which facilitated better nitrogen assimilation and utilization. Additionally, controlled-release blended fertilizers amendments stimulated soil enzyme activities, such as protease, cellulase, and dehydrogenase, in rice rhizosphere soil, improving nitrogen cycling and reducing nitrogen losses. During both years, controlled-release blended fertilizer treatment with 50 % reduced potash from potassium chloride source, decreased ammonia volatilization by 37 % and increased nitrogen uptake by 39 %, followed by treatment with 50 % reduced potash from potassium nitrate source, decreasing ammonia volatilization by 27 % and improving nitrogen uptake by 25 %. The treatment with 100 % potash from resin potassium nitrate source alleviated ammonia volatilization by 24 % and enhanced nitrogen uptake by 22 %, respectively. These findings suggest that controlled-release blended fertilizers achieves the optimal balance between nutrient availability and plant demand, improving nitrogen use efficiency. In summary, controlled-release blended fertilizers application to rice fields improves nitrogen use efficiency, reduce losses of nitrogen and enhances soil health, making rice cultivation more sustainable by decreasing ammonia volatilization and increasing rice yield.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"386 ","pages":"Article 109624"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143636564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The multifunctionality of cuttings from semi-natural habitats as organic amendments in arable farming","authors":"Maartje van der Sloot ,&nbsp;Juul Limpens ,&nbsp;Gerlinde B. De Deyn ,&nbsp;David Kleijn","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using cuttings from semi-natural habitats as organic amendment has the potential to enhance soil functioning of arable fields and improve biodiversity in eutrophicated road verges. Adoption of this management practice is currently constrained by lack of quantitative information on the involved benefits and risks. Processed (composted or fermented as Bokashi) and fresh road verge cuttings were experimentally applied during three years in a maize-winter wheat crop rotation on fifteen farm fields. Plots with organic amendments received half of the conventional fertilizer application compared to control plots with fertilizers at conventional application rates. Potential beneficial effects of organic amendments on soil organic matter (SOM) content, nutrient cycling, water retention and crop yield and possible risks related to nitrogen (N) leaching and the introduction of weeds, heavy metals and anthropogenic litter were investigated. Applying composted and fresh cuttings significantly increased SOM content in the upper soil layer, while composted cuttings enhanced SOM also in the entire cultivation layer (0–40 cm). Yields did not differ significantly from the control treatment despite the 50 % reduction in applied mineral fertilizer. Application of cuttings did not significantly increase N leaching, weed pressure or exceed heavy metal thresholds. However, significant contamination of the cuttings with anthropogenic litter was observed. This study shows that use of organic amendments from cuttings can significantly increase the SOM content and simultaneously reduce mineral fertilizer use. Provided litter contamination can be prevented or removed, the application of cuttings on arable fields produces important benefits to both farmers and society.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"386 ","pages":"Article 109613"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143629531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Excluding livestock from farm dams enhances native biodiversity","authors":"Kristian Bell ,&nbsp;Maldwyn J. Evans ,&nbsp;David B. Lindenmayer ,&nbsp;Ben C. Scheele ,&nbsp;David G. Smith ,&nbsp;Martino E. Malerba","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Amid a global biodiversity crisis and with over 50 % of the world's land dedicated to agriculture, solutions that enhance the biodiversity value of farmland are crucial. Fencing farm dams to prevent livestock access may provide numerous production and biodiversity benefits. However, we have limited information on the responses to fencing dams by various taxa, and its subsequent effect on community assemblages and ecosystem function. We investigated the impact of fencing farm dams on species richness, functional diversity, and community structure in a control-impact study in south-eastern Australia by comparing 20 fenced and 20 unfenced dams (40 dams total). We used a combination of in-person surveys, trail cameras, eDNA, and acoustic loggers to detect a wide range of fauna. We found significant differences in overall species richness, functional diversity and species composition between fenced and unfenced dams. Taxonomic groups including birds and mammals, and feeding guilds including carnivores and frugivores were more prevalent at dams that excluded livestock. Our results suggest that excluding livestock from farm dams preferentially benefits native species. At the species level, larger-bodied waterbirds such as dabbling ducks tended to prefer unfenced dams, while smaller woodland birds characteristic of nearby remnant woody native vegetation preferred fenced dams. We show that excluding livestock from farm dams has significant positive effects on biodiversity, ecosystem function and community structure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"386 ","pages":"Article 109623"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143629530","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}