The impact of large herbivores on woodland-grassland dynamics in fragmented landscapes: The role of spatial configuration and disturbance

P. Schippers, A.J.A. van Teeffelen, J. Verboom, C.C. Vos, K.. Kramer, M.F. WallisDeVries

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    The vegetation structure of natural ecosystems is usually considered independent of their size and their location in the landscape. In this study, we examine the effect of size, spatial configuration and disturbances on the dynamic interactions of large herbivores and vegetation in a patchy environment using a metapopulation model. Simulations indicate that small, isolated or unfenced patches have low herbivore numbers and high tree cover whereas large, well-connected or fenced patches support high herbivore densities and are covered by grassland. Recovery of both herbivore numbers and forest cover in response to disturbance is slow (>100 years). These long recovery times are partly attributable to negative feedbacks between herbivore numbers and tree cover. When the population of large herbivores is disturbed, forest is able to expand, subsequently inhibiting herbivore population recovery. Likewise, forest disturbance allows herbivore population expansion, which inhibits forest recovery. Additionally, infrequent and limited disturbances like hunting and forest removal also affect the vegetation cover in patches of nature. Thus, our work indicates that the location and size of patches, together with disturbances, largely determine the structure of the vegetation in fragmented landscapes. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)20-31
    JournalEcological Complexity
    Volume17
    Early online date23 Aug 2013
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

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