CRB: Mechanisms of Vole Suppression of Tallgrass Dicots

摘要提案号DEB-0108417H。伊利诺伊大学芝加哥分校：田鼠抑制高草鼠的机制实验恢复使用土地复垦技术来测试基本的生态学理论，从而为管理实践提供信息。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)跟踪研究足够的时间来检测草原物种预期的数值响应。田鼠的选择性草食会减少优选牧草的生物量，降低植物多样性。随后田鼠的密度增加到峰值，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，田鼠可接近的地块的立木作物最多减少98%。为了评估抑制机制，解释为什么目标物种在一些地块中减少为莲座，但在其他地块中设法生长，开花和种子，我们将使用单独的硬件布封闭，保护目标物种的芽，因为它们出现，并计划每两周移除保护。这项试验将持续三年，从而可以对草原物种的数值反应进行评估

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./