Dataset Information

Dung-associated arthropods influence foraging ecology and habitat selection in Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

ABSTRACT: Variation in grassland vegetation structure influences the habitat selection of insectivorous birds. This variation presents a trade-off for insectivorous predators: Arthropod abundance increases with vegetation height and heterogeneity, but access to arthropod prey items decreases. In contrast, grazing by large herbivores reduces and homogenizes vegetation, decreasing total arthropod abundance and diversity. However, the presence of livestock dung may help counteract the overall reduction in invertebrates by increasing arthropods associated with dung. It is unclear, however, how the presence of arthropod prey in dung contributes to overall habitat selection for insectivorous birds or how dung-associated arthropods affect trade-offs between vegetation structure, arthropod abundance, and access to prey. To explore these relationships, we studied habitat selection of the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), a large omnivorous bird that breeds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We assessed the relationships between habitat selection of cranes and vegetation structure, arthropod abundance, and the presence of yak dung. We found that Black-necked Cranes disproportionately foraged in grassland patches with short sward height, low sward height heterogeneity, and high numbers of dry yak dung, despite these habitats having lower total arthropod abundance. Although total arthropod abundance is lower, these habitats are supplemented with dry yak dung, which are associated with coleopteran larvae, making dung pats an indicator of food resources for breeding Black-necked Cranes. Coleopteran adults and larvae in yak dung appear to be an important factor influencing the habitat selection of Black-necked Cranes and should be considered when assessing grassland foraging trade-offs of insectivorous birds. This research provides new insights into the role of livestock dung in defining foraging habitats and resources for insectivorous predators.

SUBMITTER: Liu W

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6392495 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Dung-associated arthropods influence foraging ecology and habitat selection in Black-necked Cranes (<i>Grus nigricollis</i>) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Liu Wei W Wu Yongjie Y DuBay Shane G SG Zhao Chenhao C Wang Bin B Ran Jianghong J

Ecology and evolution 20190128 4

Variation in grassland vegetation structure influences the habitat selection of insectivorous birds. This variation presents a trade-off for insectivorous predators: Arthropod abundance increases with vegetation height and heterogeneity, but access to arthropod prey items decreases. In contrast, grazing by large herbivores reduces and homogenizes vegetation, decreasing total arthropod abundance and diversity. However, the presence of livestock dung may help counteract the overall reduction in in ...[more]

PMID: 30847095

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Project description:BackgroundThe black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) is a vulnerable species and the only species that lives in the plateau. Five migration routes of different populations have been identified, but for cranes wintering in Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet, the migration route and breeding/summering area are still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatio-temporal migration patterns of black-necked cranes in this area and to identify important areas for conservation.MethodsIn 2016, we fitted seven black-necked cranes in Nyingchi with GPS-GSM satellite transmitters to record their migration routes. We used ArcGIS 10.2 to visualize important stopover sites and the 'ggplot' function in R to analyze the migration patterns.ResultsFrom March 2016 to May 2019, we recorded nine spring migration and four autumn migration tracks from five individuals. Four individuals spent the breeding/summering season in Qinghai Lake, while the other spent the breeding/summering season in the Jinzihai Wetland of Dulan County, Qinghai Province. Detailed spatio-temporal information showed that the spring migration lasted 8.7 ± 4.6 days and covered 1,182.5 ± 90.4 km, while the autumn migration lasted 30 ± 10.6 days and covered 1,455.7 ± 138 km. Basom Lake and the Shazhuyu River were the most important stopover sites during the spring and autumn migrations, respectively. The cranes spent 4.4 ± 3.7 days in Basom Lake and 26.3 ± 10.7 days in the Shazhuyu River. The black-necked cranes mainly migrated during the daytime (>85 % of the fly points), and 81 % (17/21) of all stopover and roosting sites were in the valley or at lakeside swamps. Only 17.7% (516 / 2,914) of the data points for stopover and roosting sites were in protected areas.Main conclusionsOur study revealed the breeding/summering areas and migration routes of the black-necked cranes wintering in Nyingchi. These results contribute to a better understanding of the annual spatio-temporal migration patterns and the development of conservation plans for this vulnerable species.

Dataset Information

Dung-associated arthropods influence foraging ecology and habitat selection in Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Publications

Dung-associated arthropods influence foraging ecology and habitat selection in Black-necked Cranes (<i>Grus nigricollis</i>) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

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