CRB: Mechanisms of Vole Suppression of Tallgrass Dicots

摘要提案编号DEB-0108417 H。F.伊利诺伊大学芝加哥分校：VOLE抑制机制高草DICOTS实验恢复使用土地复垦技术来测试基本的生态理论，从而通知管理实践。 在这里，我们建议保持一个非常成功的例子，这样的尝试（1）确定田鼠抑制高草植被的机制，（2）遵循足够的时间来检测草原物种的预期数值响应的研究。 田鼠的选择性食草行为会减少首选牧草物种的生物量，降低植物多样性。 随后增加的田鼠达到峰值密度可能会产生类似有蹄类动物的影响，与田鼠保护区的情况相比，在田鼠可接近的地块中，现存作物减少了98%。 为了评估抑制机制，解释为什么目标物种在某些地块中减少到腐烂，但在其他地块中设法生长，开花和播种，我们将使用单独的硬件布外壳，在目标物种出现时保护它们的芽，并以两周的间隔定期去除保护。 该实验将持续三年，从而可以评估草原物种的数量反应。

AbstractProposal Number DEB-0108417H. F. HoweUniversity of Illinois - ChicagoCRB: MECHANISMS OF VOLE SUPPRESION OF TALL GRASS DICOTSExperimental restoration uses land reclamation techniques to test fundamental ecological theory, and thereby inform management practices. Here, we propose to maintain a highly successful example of such an attempt to (1) determine the mechanism of suppression of tallgrass vegetation by voles, and (2) follow the study for sufficient time to detect an anticipated numerical response by prairie species. Selective herbivory by voles can reduce the biomass of preferred forage species and reduce plant diversity. Subsequent increases in voles to peak densities can have an ungulate-like effect, with up to a 98% reduction in standing crop in vole-accessible plots compared to the situation in vole-protected areas. To evaluate the mechanism of suppression that explains why target species are reduce to rosettes in some plots but manage to grow, flower, and seed in others, we will use individual hardware cloth exclosures that protect shoots of target species as they emerge, with a scheduled removal of protection at two week intervals. The experiment will be maintained for three years, thereby allowing an asssessment of the numerical response of prairie species./