Relationship between species richness of small mammals and primary productivity of arid and semi-arid grasslands in north China

doi:10.1006/jare.1999.0572

Journal of Arid Environments

Volume 43, Issue 4, December 1999, Pages 467-475

https://doi.org/10.1006/jare.1999.0572 Get rights and content

Abstract

We studied the relationship between primary productivity and species richness of small mammals at both large and small spatial scales in the arid and semi-arid grasslands of north China. The productivity (x)–species richness (y) pattern at a large spatial scale can be described by a unimodal quadratic regression curve (y=7·41+0·1^*x−0·0003^*x²,p =0·008, r²=0·788). At a small spatial scale, however, neither linear nor quadratic regression fit the data for 1980 and 1994 (p>0·25). Primary productivity may not be an appropriate predictor of the species richness of small mammals at a small spatial scale. We conclude, therefore, that the primary productivity–species richness pattern of small mammals may be scale-dependent in the arid and semi-arid grasslands of north China. Landscape complexity should be considered in future studies of productivity–richness relationships.

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How are biodiversity and carbon stock recovered during tropical forest restoration? Supporting the ecological paradigms and political context involved
2022, Journal for Nature Conservation
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At that time, productivity was thought to be the cause of diversity (Preston, 1962), and a unimodal pulse (diversity increasing to its maximum, then decreasing) was the default position (Abramsky & Rosenzweig, 1984; Fox, 1985; Tilman, 1983), even under stressful conditions (Xiao & Chen, 2019). However, robust studies found this pattern in only 30% of the studies across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (Waide et al., 1999), as well as finding positive (Abrams, 1988; Cusens et al., 2012) and negative linear (Owen, 1988; Wang et al., 2001) relationships, as well as independence (Cermeño et al., 2013; Wang et al., 1999). Thus, ecosystem patterns did not conform to expectations due to this wide variability (Mittelbach et al., 2001).
To meet agendas for biodiversity conservation and mitigation of climate change, large-scale restoration initiatives propose ecological restoration as an alternative that can reconcile these two objectives. In ongoing ecosystem restoration, increased diversity is always associated with increased productivity (and consequent carbon stock), which is among the most important ecosystem functions. The ecological paradigm of this association is that ecosystem biodiversity (B) is positively related to both ecosystem functions and services (EF and ES). However, BEF and BES relationships vary spatially and temporally, which makes understanding these relationships relevant and important for practical restoration actions. In this study, we asked how biodiversity and carbon stock recovery occurs during tropical forest restoration. We reviewed literature of the relationships between BEF and BES in the context of ecological restoration and asked whether ecological restoration can recover both. In addition, we conducted a metadata analysis of studies on the recovery of biodiversity and biomass in regenerating tropical forests (n = 83) to find the best model that describes this relationship. In general, studies showed that ecosystem biodiversity and productivity are positively related, and that restoration can recover both. We found an asymptotic and positive correlation between biodiversity and biomass in tropical forests, suggesting limitation of the mutual gains of these two ecosystem properties during restoration. We discuss these results in the context of ecological theory and the practice of ecological restoration.
Litter sizes of Daurian ground squirrels peak at intermediate body sizes
2016, Mammalian Biology
Citation Excerpt :
Daurian ground squirrels are primarily herbivorous during summer, with green plants constituting about 90% of the summer diet and insects 10% (Wang et al., 1994). The standing biomass of Inner Mongolian grasslands peaks in August (Wang et al., 1999). Daurian ground squirrels may acquire sufficient food during summer to reach the body condition required for spring reproduction if they survive through severe winters.
Litter size and body size of animals may coevolve under the concomitant pressures of sexual selection, fecundity selection, and viability selection. Studies have demonstrated the positive relationship between body size and litter size, consistent with Darwin's fecundity advantage of large body size. However, the counterbalancing selection hypothesis predicts fecundity selection would result in a positive correlation between litter size and body size initially, whereas the opposite pressure by viability selection would decrease litter size with further increasing body size beyond a threshold size. Moreover, the reproduction senescence hypothesis predicts that litter size of old, large females would decline with deteriorating body conditions. In this study, we tested the predictions of the counterbalancing selection hypothesis and the reproduction senescence hypothesis concerning the quadratic relationship between body size and litter size in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). Litter size increased initially with increasing carcass weight of females, and then decreased with further increases in carcass weight, supporting the prediction of the counterbalancing hypothesis. However, litter size was not related to body condition index of females, and body conditions improved with increasing body weight, suggesting that the reproduction senescence hypothesis alone cannot explain the observed quadratic relationship between litter size and carcass weight of female S. dauricus.
Population dynamics of the Mongolian gerbils: Seasonal patterns and interactions among density, reproduction and climate
2007, Journal of Arid Environments
The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is one of key rodents widely distributed in semi-arid, typical steppes, and desert grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China. We studied population dynamics of Mongolian gerbils under semi-natural conditions using monthly live trapping from 2001 to 2004 in south-central Inner Mongolia. Mongolian gerbils displayed seasonal fluctuations of density and population growth rate. Reproduction and recruitment of gerbils occurred primarily from March–August with a breeding lull in autumn. Population growth rates of Mongolian gerbils were not related to population density but were negatively related to temperature and precipitation. Enhanced reproductive performance and success of females increased population growth of gerbils in our enclosure. We also found that increased temperature and precipitation during the plant growing season negatively affected recruitment and rate of pregnancy. Mongolian gerbils prefer habitats with short, sparse vegetation and dry, loose and sandy soil. Increases in temperature and rainfall enhance vegetation growth; consequently, tall, dense and moist vegetation might reduce the suitability of habitats and retard population growth of Mongolian gerbils. Pronounced seasonal climatic fluctuations in northern latitudes may be the main cause of seasonal population dynamics of Mongolian gerbils.
Mongolian gerbils and Daurian pikas responded differently to changes in precipitation in the Inner Mongolian grasslands
2006, Journal of Arid Environments
Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and Daurian pikas (Ochotona dauurica) are two key small mammal species in the Inner Mongolian grasslands, China. Mongolian gerbils displayed density-dependent population growth, but the time lag of density dependence was short and within season. The spring–autumn population growth rate was inversely related to population density in Mongolian gerbils of the Erdos desert grasslands. The autumn–spring population growth rate of Mongolian gerbils was inversely related to winter precipitation. Precipitation had stronger effects on the population growth of gerbils during the non-breeding season. The monthly population growth rate of Daurian pikas was positively related to the monthly precipitation and was inversely related to population density in central Inner Mongolia. Daurian pikas select habitats with tall plants. Increased precipitation enhances plant production and increases the height of plants in arid and semi-arid regions. This enhancement of plant height might increase the population growth of Daurian pikas. Mongolian gerbils live in short grasslands. Increased winter precipitation might result in higher winter mortality of Mongolia gerbils, or taller plants might supress gerbil population growth in wet years. Therefore, responses of small mammal species to changes in precipitation depend on the life history of small mammals and changes in vegetation induced by climatic changes.
Species richness - Primary productivity relationship of plants and small mammals in the Inner Mongolian steppes, China
2001, Journal of Arid Environments
We studied the relationship between primary productivity and plant and small mammal species richness in Inner Mongolian steppes, using data collected from 1980–1987. The productivity-plant species richness pattern was unimodal at our study site and consistent over time. Quadratic terms of regressions of plant species richness on plant aboveground biomass for the 7-year data were either significant (p<0·05) or marginally significant (p=0·05 or 0·06). However, the productivity-small mammal species richness pattern was not unimodal (p>0·1). The relationship between small mammal species richness and plant aboveground biomass was linear and negative for 7 years (p<0·05, or p<0·06). Plants are sedentary, and more likely to compete for limiting resources with neighboring plants, whereas some small mammals use different habitats at different times during a year because of migration or dispersal. The productivity-plant species richness pattern could be unimodal because of the competition dominance of a few plant species along a resource gradient or because of assemblage-level thinning. Primary productivity may not be a good predictor of small mammal species richness at small spatial scales due to movement and spatial use pattern. Productivity is a measure of plant community production, but not resources available for plants. More experimental studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of the unimodal productivity-plant species richness pattern.
Spatial patterns in relative primary productivity and gazelle migration in the Eastern Steppes of Mongolia
2001, Biological Conservation
Citation Excerpt :
These annual differences in magnitude and timing were evident in our examination of the NDVI, but the calving grounds maintained their status as grounds with relatively high NDVI between the months of May through September. An examination of small mammal distributions across the Chinese portion of the Eastern Steppe showed macro-patterns of plant productivity were better indicators of small mammal biodiversity than micro-patterns of productivity (Wang et al., 2000). Over the range of annual precipitation observed in this study, the macro-pattern of productivity was a good measure of zeer movements.
The Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) of the Eastern Steppes of Mongolia shows seasonal migrations to traditional winter and calving grounds with diffuse movements during the intervening periods. We used a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), derived from coarse-resolution satellite imagery, to map relative primary productivity of steppes between April 1992 and December 1995. Productivity peaks were variable between years, but winter and calving grounds had highest NDVI scores during periods of use by gazelles. Gazelle movements to these areas track shifts in primary productivity across the steppe. Diffuse movements in summer were not matched to peaks in productivity. Productivity ‘hotspots’ utilized by gazelles during critical periods in their life cycle should be first priority for conservation and the impact of livestock grazing on these areas should be evaluated.

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^*: Current address and correspondence to: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, U.S.A. Tel.: (541)737-2169, Fax: (541)737-1980, E-mail: [email protected]

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Journal of Arid Environments

Abstract

References (28)

Interannual variation in the climate and above-ground biomass of Leymus chinense steppe and Stipa grandis steppe in the Xilin river basin, Inner Mongolia, China

Journal of Arid Environments

Tilman's predicted productivity-diversity relationships shown by desert rodent

Nature

Geographical ecology of desert rodent

Macroecology

Comparative study on spatial pattern of Oasis rodent communities in the south-east fringe of Tarim Basin

Arid Zone Research

An introduction to the Inner Mongolia Grassland Ecosystem Research Station, Academia Sinica

The effects of resources enrichment on the diversity of plants and anthropods in a shortgrass prairie

Ecology

The problem of pattern and scale in ecology

Ecology

The vegetation of the Xilin river basin and its utilization

Study on community diversity of rodents in Anxi desert

Acta Theriological Sinica

Cluster analysis on rodent communities in the eastern desert part of desert-steppe

Acta Theriologica Sinica

On productivity as a predictor of rodent and carnivore diversity

Ecology

On lizard species diversity: North American flatland deserts

Ecology

Cited by (17)

How are biodiversity and carbon stock recovered during tropical forest restoration? Supporting the ecological paradigms and political context involved

Litter sizes of Daurian ground squirrels peak at intermediate body sizes

Population dynamics of the Mongolian gerbils: Seasonal patterns and interactions among density, reproduction and climate

Mongolian gerbils and Daurian pikas responded differently to changes in precipitation in the Inner Mongolian grasslands

Species richness - Primary productivity relationship of plants and small mammals in the Inner Mongolian steppes, China

Spatial patterns in relative primary productivity and gazelle migration in the Eastern Steppes of Mongolia

Regular ArticleRelationship between species richness of small mammals and primary productivity of arid and semi-arid grasslands in north China

Abstract

Journal of Arid Environments

Tilman's predicted productivity-diversity relationships shown by desert rodent

Nature

Geographical ecology of desert rodent

Macroecology

Comparative study on spatial pattern of Oasis rodent communities in the south-east fringe of Tarim Basin

Arid Zone Research

An introduction to the Inner Mongolia Grassland Ecosystem Research Station, Academia Sinica

The effects of resources enrichment on the diversity of plants and anthropods in a shortgrass prairie

Ecology

The problem of pattern and scale in ecology

Ecology

The vegetation of the Xilin river basin and its utilization

Study on community diversity of rodents in Anxi desert

Acta Theriological Sinica

Cluster analysis on rodent communities in the eastern desert part of desert-steppe

Acta Theriologica Sinica

On productivity as a predictor of rodent and carnivore diversity

Ecology

On lizard species diversity: North American flatland deserts

Ecology

Regular Article
Relationship between species richness of small mammals and primary productivity of arid and semi-arid grasslands in north China