Pastoral Practices to Reverse Shrub Encroachment of Sub-Alpine Grasslands: Dung Beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) Respond More Quickly Than Vegetation

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083344
• Publication Date: 2013-12-16T21:42:32Z
• Authors: Claudia Tocco; Massimiliano Probo; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi; Matteo Negro; Beatrice Nervo; Antonio Rolando; Claudia Palestrini
• Keywords: Dung beetle; Scarabaeoidea; Scarabaeinae

In recent decades, pastoral abandonment has produced profound ecological changes in the Alps. particular, reduction grazing led to extensive shrub encroachment of semi-natural grasslands, which may represent a threat open habitat biodiversity. To reverse encroachment, we assessed short-term effects two different practices on vegetation and dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea). Strategic placement mineral mix supplements (MMS) arrangement temporary night camp areas (TNCA) for cattle were carried out during summer 2011 Val Troncea Natural Park, north-western Italian 2012, one year after treatment, cover an increase bare ground around MMS sites was detected. A more intense effect detected within TNCA through increases forage value, height herbaceous layer. Immediately beetle diversity (total abundance, species richness, Shannon diversity, taxonomic functional diversity) showed limited disturbance caused by high density. contrast, significantly increased later both at sites, with stronger TNCA. Multivariate Regression Trees associated Indicator Value analyses that some ecologically relevant preferred deprived vegetation. Our main conclusions are: i) are effective than terms beetles, ii) respond quickly practices, iii) driver rapid response is removal shrubs. The resulting abundance largely responsible grassland ecosystem functioning, have positive meso-eutrophic restoration. Shrub Alps therefore be reversed, restoration enhanced, using appropriate practices.