Linking spatial patterns of terrestrial herbivore community structure to trophic interactions

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Landscape Ecology
• Wildlife Ecology

Background:

• Large herbivores significantly impact ecosystem functioning, primarily through vegetation modification across various spatial scales.
• The spatial distribution patterns of large herbivore communities are often determined by a complex interplay of top-down (biotic) and bottom-up (abiotic) ecological factors.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehending landscape-scale variations in community structure and ecosystem processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the intricate cascading interactions influencing the spatial distribution of large herbivore communities.
• To identify and characterize distinct landscape-scale herbivory regimes ('herbiscapes') within a forest ecosystem.
• To determine the relative importance of bottom-up, top-down, and human-induced factors on herbivore spatial dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized high-resolution camera trapping to gather detailed data on herbivore presence and activity.
• Employed remote sensing techniques to analyze landscape-level environmental variables and vegetation structure.
• Integrated camera trapping and remote sensing data to model species-specific responses and community distribution patterns.

Main Results:

• The spatial distribution of the entire large herbivore community was significantly explained by species-specific responses to interacting bottom-up (environmental) and top-down (biotic) factors.
• Human-induced effects were identified as significant cascading factors influencing herbivore spatial distribution.
• Distinct landscape-scale herbivory regimes ('herbiscapes') were identified, characterized by unique combinations of herbivore community structure and environmental conditions.

Conclusions:

• The spatial distribution of large herbivores is a product of complex, interacting ecological gradients and human influences.
• The identified 'herbiscapes' represent a novel framework for understanding spatial variation in herbivory and its role in maintaining vegetation heterogeneity.
• These findings have implications for predicting herbivore dynamics and managing ecosystems in diverse environments.