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Effect of small rodent activity on species composition and nutrient cycling
in grassland communities
People
Stefan Halle, Project P.I.
Ilona Kertscher, Diploma student
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Rationale
Small mammals are of crucial importance for Central European grasslands because they are herbivorous species with high population densities, and they transfer plant biomass directly into animal biomass. This keeps the food chains short since Small mammals are a staple food for many predators. Foraging and burrowing activity will have a considerably feedback on those plant communities that are attractive for Small mammals. Criteria for attractiveness may differ between voles and mice, i.e. graminivorous and granivorous Small mammals, depending on either habitat structure, vegetation cover, microclimate, specific plant species (preferred food plants), specific plant functional groups, overall species composition, or plant species diversity. The proposed project aims to identify specific plant species compositions which are attractive for small rodent foraging and burrowing, and why. Furthermore, we will estimate the quantitative effects of small rodent foraging and burrowing activity on nutrient cycling and establishment of invasive plants species in gaps created by small rodent activity.
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GERMAN