A1 Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä lehdessä
Do delayed effects of overgrazing explain population cycles in voles?
Tekijät: Klemola T, Norrdahl K, Korpimaki E
Kustantaja: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Julkaisuvuosi: 2000
Journal: Oikos
Tietokannassa oleva lehden nimi: OIKOS
Lehden akronyymi: OIKOS
Vuosikerta: 90
Numero: 3
Aloitussivu: 509
Lopetussivu: 516
Sivujen määrä: 8
ISSN: 0030-1299
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0706.2000.900309.x
Tiivistelmä
Theoretical models predict that delayed density-dependent processes with a time-lag of approximately nine months are sufficient to generate regular 3-5 year fluctuations in densities of northern small rodents. To examine whether this time-lag could be generated by plant-herbivore interactions, we studied delayed effects of overgrazed food plants on voles. We introduced field voles (Microtus agrestis) in four large predator-proof enclosures that had suffered heavy grazing during the preceding autumn and winter, and compared them with voles introduced to previously ungrazed control areas. We found no detrimental effects of previous grazing on population growth, reproduction or body condition of voles. Chemical analyses did not show consistent effects of grazing on nutritional components of common food plants (grasses). These results suggest that short-term population cycles of Microtus voles in grassland habitats are not primarily driven by delayed effects of plant-herbivore interactions.
Theoretical models predict that delayed density-dependent processes with a time-lag of approximately nine months are sufficient to generate regular 3-5 year fluctuations in densities of northern small rodents. To examine whether this time-lag could be generated by plant-herbivore interactions, we studied delayed effects of overgrazed food plants on voles. We introduced field voles (Microtus agrestis) in four large predator-proof enclosures that had suffered heavy grazing during the preceding autumn and winter, and compared them with voles introduced to previously ungrazed control areas. We found no detrimental effects of previous grazing on population growth, reproduction or body condition of voles. Chemical analyses did not show consistent effects of grazing on nutritional components of common food plants (grasses). These results suggest that short-term population cycles of Microtus voles in grassland habitats are not primarily driven by delayed effects of plant-herbivore interactions.
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