INVESTIGADORES
RELVA Maria Andrea
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Impact of rooting by feral pigs in native communities of northwestern Patagonia
Autor/es:
BARRIOS GARCIA MOAR, M. N.; SIMBERLOFF, D.; RELVA, M. A.
Lugar:
San Carlos de Bariloche
Reunión:
Congreso; VI Southern Connection Congress; 2010
Institución organizadora:
Laboratorio Ecotono, Universidad Nacional del Comahue- Conicet
Resumen:
Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) have been introduced to all continents except Antarctica and are one of the world´s worst pests. In order to feed on belowground plant parts, fungi, and invertebrates, feral pigs overturn extensive areas of vegetation. This physical disturbance not only directly affects above- and belowground components of ecosystems but also indirectly contributes to plant invasion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of rooting activity in three plant communities (Nothofagus dombeyi forests, Austrocedrus chilensis forests, and shrublands) in northwestern Patagonia using transect surveys and a exclosure experiment. We found similar occurrence, extension and depth of rooting activity across communities, with 35% of the surveyed plots showing some activity by feral pigs, and rooted patch size was on average 0.9 m2 and 5.1 cm deep. Also, plots with 20 to 40% understory cover were more likely to be disturbed. Finally, the exclosure experiment showed that rooting activity significantly reduced herb cover in Nothofagus dombeyi forest and grass cover in shrublands with a concomitant increase in bare ground. These results suggest that all the surveyed plant communities are similarly threatened by feral pig rooting activity and that pigs are significantly changing native plant communities´ composition and structure.