scholarly journals Unpalatable plants induce a species-specific associational effect on neighboring communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Bagher Erfanian ◽  
Farshid Memariani ◽  
Zohreh Atashgahi ◽  
Mansour Mesdaghi ◽  
Maliheh Saeedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Poisonous Plant ◽  
Poisonous Plants ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Foraging Decisions ◽  
Associational Defense ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Grazed Grassland

AbstractIn grazing conditions, unpalatable species may induce either associational defense or neighbor contrast susceptibility in neighboring communities. Using surveys from eight grasslands, we tested whether various unpalatable species have the same impacts on neighboring communities in response to grazing. The studied unpalatable species were: Phlomis cancellata (an unpalatable nonpoisonous plant), Euphorbia boissieriana, E.microsciadia (poisonous plants), and Seseli transcaucasicum (a highly poisonous plant). Our results showed that, in the ungrazed grasslands, communities containing P. cancellata had lower biodiversity than communities without it. In the moderately- and heavily grazed grasslands, P. cancellata induced associational defense in the neighboring communities. In heavily grazed grasslands, both Euphorbia species promoted neighbor contrast susceptibility in the neighboring communities. Similarly, S. transcaucasicum in a heavily grazed grassland, induced neighbor contrast susceptibility. Different responses of plant community vulnerability among the studied unpalatable plants might be due to herbivore different foraging decisions. Accordingly, grazers selectively choose from other patches when facing P. cancellata and other plant individuals when there is a poisonous plant in a patch. Our results suggested that grazing intensity may not substantially affect the foraging decisions of sheep and goats in response to unpalatable species. We recommend monitoring the abundance of poisonous species to maintain the sustainable use of grasslands.

The benefits of being in a bad neighbourhood: plant community composition influences red deer foraging decisions

Oikos ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie N. Bee ◽  
Andrew J. Tanentzap ◽  
William G. Lee ◽  
Roger B. Lavers ◽  
Alan F. Mark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Plant Community Composition ◽  
Foraging Decisions

scholarly journals Interaction between root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms facilitates the expansion of poisonous plant species in degraded grassland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenyin Wang ◽  
Tianhua Jia ◽  
Tianyun Qi ◽  
Shanshan Li ◽  
Degen A.Allan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Root Exudates ◽  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Soil Microbial Communities ◽  
Alpine Grassland ◽  
Poisonous Plant ◽  
Poisonous Plants ◽  
Rhizosphere Microorganisms ◽  
Degraded Grassland

Abstract Background The interaction between rhizosphere microorganisms and rhizosphere exudates is considered a ‘novel weapon’ for poisonous plants’ colonization, but the relationship between them in facilitating the expansion of poisonous plants in degraded or barren land is poorly understood. We examined this relationship in different degradation levels of alpine grasslands on the Tibetan plateau (3,700 m a.s.l) by determining the composition of root exudates, soil physical and chemical properties, rhizosphere microbial diversity and carbon metabolism of the main poisonous and non-poisonous plant species. Results Soil nutrients, including total organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorous, diversity of microorganisms and microbial carbon metabolism were greater in the rhizosphere of poisonous than in non-poisonous plant species (P < 0.05). The distribution of bacteria and root exudates were plant species specific. Soil microbial communities were affected by habitat and plant species in degraded grassland, and more so for bacteria than fungi. The cell growth and death pathway for the poisonous species Ligularia virgaurea was greater than for other poisonous species (P < 0.05), and the difference increased with an increase in grassland degradation and a decrease in soil nutrients (P < 0.05), which could explain how L. virgaurea became the dominant poisonous species in degraded alpine grassland. The roots of L. virgaurea exudated such compounds as alkaloids, lupinic acid, terpenes, artemisinin, and coumarin, which were correlated positively with different bacteria in different habitats. Conclusion It was concluded that poisonous plant species adapted to degraded grassland through the interaction of root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms, which facilitated their expansion in degraded alpine grassland.

scholarly journals Evidence of within-species specialization by soil microbes and the implications for plant community diversity

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (15) ◽  
pp. 7371-7376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenalle L. Eck ◽  
Simon M. Stump ◽  
Camille S. Delavaux ◽  
Scott A. Mangan ◽  
Liza S. Comita
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Soil Microbial Community ◽  
Soil Microbes ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Species Specific

Microbes are thought to maintain diversity in plant communities by specializing on particular species, but it is not known whether microbes that specialize within species (i.e., on genotypes) affect diversity or dynamics in plant communities. Here we show that soil microbes can specialize at the within-population level in a wild plant species, and that such specialization could promote species diversity and seed dispersal in plant communities. In a shadehouse experiment in Panama, we found that seedlings of the native tree species, Virola surinamensis (Myristicaceae), had reduced performance in the soil microbial community of their maternal tree compared with in the soil microbial community of a nonmaternal tree from the same population. Performance differences were unrelated to soil nutrients or to colonization by mycorrhizal fungi, suggesting that highly specialized pathogens were the mechanism reducing seedling performance in maternal soils. We then constructed a simulation model to explore the ecological and evolutionary consequences of genotype-specific pathogens in multispecies plant communities. Model results indicated that genotype-specific pathogens promote plant species coexistence—albeit less strongly than species-specific pathogens—and are most effective at maintaining species richness when genetic diversity is relatively low. Simulations also revealed that genotype-specific pathogens select for increased seed dispersal relative to species-specific pathogens, potentially helping to create seed dispersal landscapes that allow pathogens to more effectively promote diversity. Combined, our results reveal that soil microbes can specialize within wild plant populations, affecting seedling performance near conspecific adults and influencing plant community dynamics on ecological and evolutionary time scales.

scholarly journals Soil Properties and Plant Community Changes along a Goat Grazing Intensity Gradient in an Open Canopy Oak Forest

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimilia LEMPESI ◽  
Apostolos P. KYRIAZOPOULOS ◽  
Michail ORFANOUDAKIS ◽  
Georgios KORAKIS
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Goat Grazing ◽  
Open Canopy ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Soil Measurements

Understanding how the management practices of silvopastoral systems affect the long-term sustainability of oak ecosystems and what their influence is on nutrient cycling and plant community, is of great interest. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of relative grazing intensity on soil properties and on vegetation characteristics in an open canopy oak forest dominated by Quercus frainetto. The research was conducted in the area of Pentalofos, which is located in Evros region, north-eastern Greece and is grazed by goats. The distance from a goat corral was used to represent relative grazing intensity. In June 2011, soil and vegetation samples were collected along transects placed at 50, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 m from the goat corral, running perpendicular to three replicates. Soil measurements included pH, phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations while vegetation measurements included plant cover, species composition and diversity. Plant cover was not significantly different among grazing intensities. Species diversity, especially of the woody vegetation layer, was significantly higher in the light grazing intensity in comparison to both the heavy and the very light grazing. Heavy grazing reduced soil organic matter while it increased total nitrogen. Grazing intensity did not affect available P and soil pH. Light to moderate goat grazing could ameliorate floristic diversity and increase sustainability of oak forests in the Mediterranean region.

Species-specific positive effects in an annual plant community

Oikos ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 1511-1521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Lortie ◽  
Roy Turkington
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Annual Plant ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Species Specific

scholarly journals Brucellosis in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir Pakistan: a livestock threat for neighboring zones

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 6004-2018
Author(s):  
HADIA MUBEEN ◽  
IAHTASHAM KHAN* ◽  
MUHAMMAD HASSAN SALEEM ◽  
RAHEELA AKHTAR ◽  
SHAHZAD ALI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brucella Abortus ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Important Region ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Azad Kashmir ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
First Time

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of brucellosis in household animals of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir due to its geographic importance. A total of 360 blood samples of cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats were initially screened through Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) and then positive samples were subjected to Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for confirmation and quantification of antibody titers. Molecular confirmation of serologically positive samples was performed by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RBPT and ELISA showed a total of 8.6% and 6.87% positive samples respectively. The species wise seropositivity by RBPT was greater in cattle followed by buffaloes, goats and sheep. Similarly ELISA showed more seropositivity in cattle than buffaloes, while sheep and goats were negative for brucellosis by ELISA. RT-PCR revealed 100% samples positive for Brucella abortus by species specific PCR. This study revealed the presence of Brucella abortus in Mirpur for the first time. Since brucellosis is listed in transboundary diseases, its presence in this geographically important region could be a potential threat for neighboring countries..

scholarly journals Impacts of fire and grazing management on South Africa’s moist highland grasslands: A case study of the Steenkampsberg Plateau, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian T. Little ◽  
Philip A.R. Hockey† ◽  
Raymond Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Structure Characteristics ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Detrimental Impact

Background: Grasslands are heavily utilised for livestock agriculture and the resultant degradation through mismanagement contributes to an estimated 60% of this biome being permanently transformed. This study focused on the impact of fire and grazing in moist highland grasslands.Objectives: To determine the contribution of burning frequency and grazing intensity combined (for domestic livestock and indigenous ungulates) on vegetation structure heterogeneity and species diversity.Methods: Eight study sites under different management regimes were sampled over two summers. Vegetation structure characteristics and diversity data were collected monthly within multiple replicates in each study site. A disc pasture meter was used to assess standing biomass. Differences in vegetation structure characteristics, plant community composition and plant species assemblage structure across sites were statistically analysed using analyses of variance, indicator species analyses, multidimensional scaling ordinations and two-way cluster analyses.Results: The combination of heavy grazing and annual burning leads to a distinct plant community dominated by disturbance specialist species. Selective grazing by indigenous herbivores promotes a community of unpalatable species. This study illustrates that fenced indigenous herbivores, even at moderate stocking densities, have a greater detrimental impact on plant diversity and structure than do domestic livestock.Conclusion: Intensive grazing and burning have a detrimental impact on plant species diversity and structure. This also affects resultant palatability for grazing livestock and fenced game. To promote both grazing quality and ecological integrity we recommend a minimum sustainable ‘fodder capacity’ or standing phytomass of 5000 kg per large-animal unit per hectare for domestic livestock in moist highland grasslands.

scholarly journals Comparison of Coxiella burnetii Excretion between Sheep and Goats Naturally Infected with One Cattle-Associated Genotype

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 652
Author(s):  
Benjamin Bauer ◽  
Louise Prüfer ◽  
Mathias Walter ◽  
Isabel Ganter ◽  
Dimitrios Frangoulidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Infected Sheep ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Typing Method ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Rectal Route ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Species Specific

The main reservoir of Coxiella (C.) burnetii are ruminants. They shed the pathogen through birth products, vaginal mucus, faeces and milk. A direct comparison of C. burnetii excretions between naturally infected sheep and goats was performed on the same farm to investigate species-specific differences. The animals were vaccinated with an inactivated C. burnetii phase I vaccine at the beginning of the study period for public health reasons. Vaginal and rectal swabs along with milk specimens were taken monthly during the lambing period and once again at the next lambing season. To estimate the environmental contamination of the animals’ housings, nasal swabs from every animal were taken simultaneously. Moreover, dust samples from the windowsills and straw beddings were collected. All samples were examined by qPCR targeting the IS1111 gene and the MLVA/VNTR typing method was performed. Whole genome sequencing was applied to determine the number of IS1111 copies followed by a calculation of C. burnetii genome equivalents of each sample. The cattle-associated genotype C7 was detected containing 29 IS1111 copies. Overall, goats seem to shed more C. burnetii through vaginal mucus and in particular shed more and for longer via the rectal route than sheep. This is supported by the larger quantities of C. burnetii DNA detected in caprine nasal swabs and environmental samples compared to the ovine ones. Transmission of C. burnetii from cattle to small ruminants must also be considered.

Development of STS and CAPS markers for identification of three tall larkspurs (Delphinium spp.)

Genome ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaomei Li ◽  
Dale R Gardner ◽  
Michael H Ralphs ◽  
Richard R-C Wang
Keyword(s):  
Rapd Markers ◽  
Poisonous Plants ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Sts Markers ◽  
Hybrid Plants ◽  
Tall Larkspur ◽  
Caps Markers ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Delphinium Occidentale

One cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) and nine sequence tagged site (STS) markers were developed for identifying tall larkspur (Delphinium spp.) plants in three species based on the DNA sequence of known species-specific RAPD markers. Four STS markers were used for identification of Delphinium occidentale, three STS markers for Delphinium barbeyi, and one CAPS and two STS markers for Delphinium glaucum. One hundred sixty-six individual plants collected at 19 locations in the western U.S.A. were tested using the STS and CAPS markers. Over 95% of the D. occidentale plants contained all four D. occidentale specific STS markers, whereas the remaining plants contained three of the four STS markers. Approximately 97% of D. barbeyi plants contained all three D. barbeyi specific STS markers, and the rest had two of the three STS markers. A small percentage of D. barbeyi plants contained one D. occidentale specific STS marker. Hybrid populations were characterized as having more D. occidentale specific than D. barbeyi specific STS markers, suggesting that the three hybrid populations are composed not of F1 hybrid plants of the parental species but of segregating offspring of different generations from original hybrids. This set of STS and CAPS markers for larkspur species should be useful in classification of unknown plant materials and the identification of hybrid populations.Key words: poisonous plants, RAPD, molecular marker, PCR.

Distribution pattern of poisonous plant species in arid grasslands: a case from Xinjiang, Northwestern China

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Xiang Zhang ◽  
Ming-Li Zhang ◽  
Yong Wang
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Species Distribution Modelling ◽  
Western China ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Poisonous Plant ◽  
Poisonous Plants ◽  
Distribution Modelling ◽  
The Future

Poisonous plants threaten the ecosystem health of grasslands and the sustainability of animal husbandry. In arid lands, grassland ecosystems tend to be vulnerable and have been degraded due to the influence of human activities. The total area of the natural grasslands in Xinjiang, a large region in arid north-western China, ranks third in terms of area in China. In the process of grassland degradation, poisonous plants have spread widely and quickly in this region. During recent years, increasing economic losses have been caused by poisonous plants in Xinjiang. Although poisonous plants have been reported at some specific locations, their spatial patterns have rarely been investigated at a large regional scale. To understand the current status of hazards and assess the invasion risks of poisonous plants, we sampled ~150 poisonous plant species from Xinjiang and modelled the present and the future (the 2050s and the 2070s) distribution of 90 species using species distribution modelling. Based on the distribution maps of these poisonous plants, four diversity hotspots of poisonous plants were identified in Xinjiang. The results showed that northern Xinjiang had higher levels of poisonous plant diversity compared with the other part of Xinjiang. The precipitation factors had the most influence on prediction of the poisonous plants distributions in the species distribution modelling. Under the scenarios of future climate change, the results of modelling showed that regions close to the four hotspots of poisonous plants in Xinjiang displayed higher risks of invasion by poisonous plants in the future. In addition, these areas with a high risk of plant invasion will become increasingly large. We propose that policy makers consider implementing monitoring and prevention measures in areas identified as having a high risk of future invasion by poisonous plants.

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