繁重的牲畜放牧促进了虫的爆发,因为它降低了植物含量
Arianne J Cease1, James J Elser, Colleen F Ford
1School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA. arianne.cease@asu.edu
概括
与预期相反,较高的植物 (N) 对虫产生了负面影响. 繁重的牲畜放牧,通过减少植物蛋白质,可能会促进草原上的虫爆发.
科学领域:
- 生态生态学 生态生态学
- 昆虫学 昆虫学是一门学科.
- 动物行为 动物行为
背景情况:
- 一般认为植物 (N) 通过减轻蛋白质限制来提高草食动物的性能.
- 这可能会导致草食昆虫种群增加.
研究的目的:
- 研究宿主植物丰富对Oedaleus asiaticus的大小和生存能力的影响.
- 为了确定虫在植物和人工食成分方面的食偏好.
主要方法:
- 对宿主植物含量的实验性操纵.
- 提供含有不同蛋白质和碳水化合物水平的人造饮食.
- 现场观测将虫的数量与牲畜放牧的强度和土壤气耗尽相关联.
主要成果:
- 主体植物缩和高蛋白的人造饮食降低了虫的大小和生存能力.
- 亚洲喜欢含量低的植物和人工饮食,蛋白质含量低,碳水化合物含量高.
- 虫的丰富性在被大量放牧的田地和枯竭的土壤气中最高.
结论:
- 增加植物并不一定有利于所有食草动物;它可能会对一些物种产生负面影响,如Oedaleus asiaticus.
- 繁重的牲畜放牧和草原退化,通过减少植物蛋白质,可能会促进北亚草原的虫爆发.
相关概念视频
Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this nitrogen...
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this nitrogen...
Threats to Biodiversity
There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
Overview of Metabolism
Living cells constantly carry out various chemical reactions which are necessary for their proper functioning. These reactions are interlinked to one another via multiple pathways. The collection of these chemical reactions is known as metabolism.
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...


