Mammalian engineers drive soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions across a disturbance gradient

David J. Eldridge, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Jason N. Woodhouse, Brett A. Neilan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effects of mammalian ecosystem engineers on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions in terrestrial ecosystems are poorly known. Disturbance from livestock has been widely reported to reduce soil function, but disturbance by animals that forage in the soil may partially offset these negative effects of livestock, directly and/or indirectly by shifting the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities. Understanding the role of disturbance from livestock and ecosystem engineers in driving soil microbes and functions is essential for formulating sustainable ecosystem management and conservation policies.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1636-1646
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Animal Ecology
Volume85
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • microbial ecology
  • rabbits
  • soils

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