Shrub-dwelling arthropod assemblages respond differently to grazing disturbance in the southern Monte, Argentina

MARTINEZ FERNANDO; DELLAPÉ, PABLO M.; BISIGATO, ALEJANDRO J.; CHELI GERMAN HORACIO; ZAFFARONI F.T.

JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS

ACADEMIC PRESS LTD-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2021

0140-1963

Grazing disturbance affects an extensive area of the Monte desert (Argentina). Arthropods are the main faunisticcomponent of the Monte and play key roles in ecosystem processes. The aim of this study was to analyse theeffect of grazing on the canopy arthropod assemblages that inhabit three representative shrub species of thesouthern Monte (Chuquiraga avellanedae, Schinus johnstonii and Larrea divaricata). Three sampling sites wereestablished in three paddocks grazed by sheep and another three sites in a grazing exclosure. Five specimens ofeach shrub species were selected per site. Canopy arthropods were sampled using the beating method. Theresponse of arthropod assemblages to grazing was found to vary among shrub species and between seasons. Theassemblages associated with two shrub species (L. divaricata and C. avellanedae) were modified significantly bygrazing. The most marked response was a general decrease in arthropod diversity in disturbed sites. Theabundance of sap-sucking arthropods increased with grazing. These results could be related, in part, to differencesin canopy architecture between grazed and ungrazed sites. This study contribute to understanding theecological impacts of grazing on biological communities of the southern Monte and will aid in developingmanagement strategies that improve regional biodiversity outcomes.