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Research Article
Fu-Jiang Hou
Lanzhou University
Corresponding Author
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
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.
Keywords
Endozoochory, Dung seedling, Forage selection, Similarity, Livestock, Alpine meadow, Grazing ecosystems
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 23 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Review #? received
Received 17 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 16 Mar, 2021
Editor invited
On 14 Mar, 2021
Editor assigned
On 14 Mar, 2021
First submitted
On 14 Mar, 2021
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Subject Areas
Agricultural Engineering
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This preprint is under consideration at Plant and Soil. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Fu-Jiang Hou
Lanzhou University
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 23 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Review #? received
Received 17 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 16 Mar, 2021
Editor invited
On 14 Mar, 2021
Editor assigned
On 14 Mar, 2021
First submitted
On 14 Mar, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Agricultural Engineering
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
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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