Aims
Viable seeds in herbivore dung constitute the dung seed bank, and the contribution of livestock dung to this seed bank in grazing pastures is often overlooked. Grazing season (warm and cold), seed characteristics (mass and shape), and forage preference are the main factors that affect the size and composition of the dung seed bank and ultimately affect grassland ecology. However, how these three factors interact is unclear.
Methods
we collected yak dung as well as seeds of the common plant species from warm- and cold-season alpine meadows in northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and explored how grazing season (warm and cold), seed characteristics (size and shape) and foraging preferences (temporary cages method) affects yak dung seedling density, richness and diversity in an alpine pasture on the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
Results
Forty-three plant species (mainly perennials) could germinate from yak dung. Dung seedling density, richness, and diversity did not differ significantly between the two grazing seasons. Small-to-medium-sized spherical seeds (seed mass < 10 mg, shape index < 0.5) had the greatest germination potential.
Conclusions
Yaks vary their forage preference depending on the season (phenological period), and endozoochory occurs throughout both grazing seasons. Seed shape and mass directly regulate the dung seedling density, richness, and diversity. Dung seedlings increase the heterogeneity of the aboveground vegetation near the microsites of the dung pieces and therefore promote grassland patching. Our study demonstrates that grazing season, seed characteristics, and yak forage preferences affect the dung seed bank in grazing ecosystems.
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Posted 23 Mar, 2021
Received 17 Mar, 2021
Invitations sent on 16 Mar, 2021
On 14 Mar, 2021
On 14 Mar, 2021
On 14 Mar, 2021
Posted 23 Mar, 2021
Received 17 Mar, 2021
Invitations sent on 16 Mar, 2021
On 14 Mar, 2021
On 14 Mar, 2021
On 14 Mar, 2021
Aims
Viable seeds in herbivore dung constitute the dung seed bank, and the contribution of livestock dung to this seed bank in grazing pastures is often overlooked. Grazing season (warm and cold), seed characteristics (mass and shape), and forage preference are the main factors that affect the size and composition of the dung seed bank and ultimately affect grassland ecology. However, how these three factors interact is unclear.
Methods
we collected yak dung as well as seeds of the common plant species from warm- and cold-season alpine meadows in northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and explored how grazing season (warm and cold), seed characteristics (size and shape) and foraging preferences (temporary cages method) affects yak dung seedling density, richness and diversity in an alpine pasture on the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
Results
Forty-three plant species (mainly perennials) could germinate from yak dung. Dung seedling density, richness, and diversity did not differ significantly between the two grazing seasons. Small-to-medium-sized spherical seeds (seed mass < 10 mg, shape index < 0.5) had the greatest germination potential.
Conclusions
Yaks vary their forage preference depending on the season (phenological period), and endozoochory occurs throughout both grazing seasons. Seed shape and mass directly regulate the dung seedling density, richness, and diversity. Dung seedlings increase the heterogeneity of the aboveground vegetation near the microsites of the dung pieces and therefore promote grassland patching. Our study demonstrates that grazing season, seed characteristics, and yak forage preferences affect the dung seed bank in grazing ecosystems.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
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