Coexistence challenges: wolf-human interactions in Türkiye.

New Zealand’s pastoral ecosystems heavily rely on introduced grass species like perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and fescues (Festuca spp.), which can form mutualistic relationships with Epichloë endophytes. These endophytes protect grasses from insect herbivory by producing alkaloids that deter insect pests. However, while they benefit the plant, these alkaloids can also negatively affect grazing livestock. Unlike many other temperate grassland systems, New Zealand’s pastures have low plant diversity, with most sown species originating from Europe. This lack of diversity, combined with a historically limited suite of natural enemies, has contributed to a unique pasture insect pest burden. Pests such as Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis), black beetle (Heteronychus arator), and root aphid (Aploneura lentisci) cause significant economic losses, threatening pasture persistence and productivity. To mitigate these challenges, many of New Zealand’s dominant pasture grasses are artificially associated with selected Epichloë endophytes that provide insect protection against key insect pests while minimising impacts on grazing livestock. These endophytes produce alkaloids that act as feeding deterrents and/or reduce the fitness of herbivorous insects, providing a natural bio-protection mechanism. This review explores the unique ecological characteristics of New Zealand’s pasture systems, including the impact of invasive and native insect pests and the role of Epichloë endophytes in pasture protection. Emerging challenges include climate change-driven shifts in pest populations and the need for sustainable pasture management strategies. Integrating ecological principles with advanced endophyte technologies can improve pasture resilience while minimising environmental trade-offs.

Tan sheep excrement type and supply level can alter community parameters through population transformation in a typical steppe.

Anthropogenic activities such as livestock grazing and deforestation are primary causes of land degradation in drylands such as the Sahel Zone of Africa, threatening the livelihoods of rural communities and biodiversity. To restore degraded habitats, measures such as farmer-managed livestock grazing exclusion, where the native vegetation is protected and can naturally regenerate, have been implemented. Yet the benefits of such measures for biodiversity remain poorly understood, especially in regions that experience strong seasonality. Here, we used passive acoustic monitoring to study how livestock grazing exclusion affects the avifauna at the community and species level across the dry and wet seasons. Focusing on an NGO-driven initiative that has implemented a large network of small-scale farmer-managed grazing exclusions in Burkina Faso, we show that species richness and occurrence probability of most bird species were higher in grazing exclusions compared to control sites. These positive effects were more pronounced during the dry season, suggesting an ecological refuge effect when resources are limited. Despite overall positive effects on birds, we found species- and guild-specific responses to grazing exclusion with species positively or negatively affected. While grazing exclusions typically had negative effects on open-habitat specialists, frugivores, insectivores, species associated with woodlands, and Afro-Palearctic migratory species were winners. Grazing exclusions, even at small scale, show a great potential to combat desertification, reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss thereby being in line with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Yet, we emphasize the need for further studies including a socioeconomic perspective to ensure durable benefits for rural communities.

Anthropogenic land use change due to farming and livestock grazing has altered biodiversity composition greatly in ecosystems around the world. This is especially true in grasslands and rangelands; however, these ecosystems in high-altitude regions remain understudied. Moreover, anthropogenic effects in these habitats in the long term remain poorly understood. We studied bird densities and composition across four different habitats along a gradient of intensity of land use (crop fields, grazed meadows, grazed steppe, and ungrazed steppe), in the Trans-Himalayan region of Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. Started in 2002, this continuing study is one of the longest running bird monitoring programs in India. We found that bird community composition differed significantly along the land use intensity gradient. Although crop fields had the highest bird densities, the bird community here was homogenized, comprising mainly habitat generalist species. Ungrazed steppe harbored more habitat specialist species and high bird densities. Grazed habitats were generally unfavorable for birds, with lower densities and possibly lower species richness. Decadal changes in densities revealed declines in the least used ungrazed steppe habitat, highlighting a possible role of climate change. Our study underscores the importance of land use type in affecting avifauna in the Trans-Himalaya. Holistic land management practices, including continuing traditional (organic) farming and maintaining ungrazed patches in grazed rangelands, could help maintain coexistence between biodiversity and people in these multiuse landscapes.

Farmland abandonment occurs commonly across European mountain regions, which causes triggering of habitat encroachment through shrub regeneration and natural afforestation. However, its impact on vertebrate scavenger communities and ecological processes, such as the removal of small carcasses remains poorly understood. Through an experimental paired-plot design (grazed vs. abandoned-rewilded habitats), we monitored 99 small carcasses over two seasons (summer and winter) in traditional livestock grazing systems in the Guadarrama Mountains (central Spain) exposed to farmland abandonment. We evaluated how the composition and structure of the scavenger community as well as scavenging dynamics of small carcasses responded to habitat encroachment and seasonal changes. Our findings indicate that habitat encroachment following farmland abandonment significantly altered the composition and structure of the scavenger community and the ecosystem service of carrion removal. Rewilded habitats supported less diverse scavenger communities, with fewer species and individuals, dominated by mammalian facultative scavengers. In grazed habitats, almost all carcasses were consumed within 5 days, while in rewilded areas carrion removal was 2.35 times slower, with longer detection, consumption, and removal times. Seasonal changes amplified these differences, with winter bringing more diverse, bird-rich scavenger communities, but also longer carrion removal times, especially in grazed habitats. Our findings emphasize the ecological importance of small carcasses, which attract a wide range of scavengers, primarily facultative, and play a vital role in the scavenging dynamics of ecosystems. Passive rewilding has been proposed as a management strategy of no human intervention to create self-sustaining ecosystems that support biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and increase resilience to environmental change. However, our study shows that farmland abandonment alters small carrion-scavenging dynamics, reducing the effectiveness of carrion removal services and impairing bird scavengers, some of which are of conservation concern. These results highlight the need for land and wildlife managers, as well as policymakers, to consider these effects, particularly given the vast areas undergoing abandonment across Europe, and the potential implications for environmental legislation, such as the recent European Nature Restoration Law. This is crucial to ensure the maintenance of scavengers' diversity and the ecosystem service of carrion removal.

This study investigates the mandate and operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in managing land resources in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Nasarawa occupies approximately 27,117 km², with diverse land uses: agriculture dominates at 45.3%, followed by residential settlements (19.8%), mining and quarrying (15.1%), forestry (12.0%), and commercial/industrial land (7.8%). Agriculture, comprising crop farming (54.0%), livestock grazing (32.2%), and irrigation farming (13.8%), sustains most livelihoods but generates conflicts, particularly farmer-herder disputes. Mining activities, concentrated in mineral-rich LGAs such as Nasarawa and Awe, contribute significantly to the economy but cause environmental challenges like soil erosion and deforestation. The NSCDC’s specialized units, Agro-Rangers and Mining Marshals, have been instrumental in providing security and regulating these land uses, though operational constraints and community skepticism remain. Using a mixed-methods approach with 384 respondents and qualitative interviews, the study reveals that NSCDC’s mandate is well-recognized, particularly in preventing illegal land grabbing (87.5%) and protecting agricultural land (83.3%), with lower confidence in dispute mediation (51.0%). The findings highlight the need for clearer legal frameworks, increased resources, and enhanced community engagement to improve land governance and sustainable resource management in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Summary Trophy hunting (TH) is a form of wildlife use in which individuals pay to hunt under regulated conditions and retain selected body parts as trophies. Tanzania permits TH in areas with different land-use designations, covering diverse habitats. However, human activities such as settlement, agriculture and livestock grazing can threaten habitats and wildlife populations, particularly as revenue from TH declines. Using satellite data from between 2013 and 2023, we quantified changes in functional area and land cover across 15 hunting blocks in northern Tanzania. Over this period, functional area in hunting blocks decreased by c. 22.4% in Game Controlled Areas (GCAs) and by c. 18.0% in Open Areas (OAs), attributed to human encroachment. Longido North GCA experienced the most substantial land-cover change, with a 76% increase in dense vegetation. An analysis comparing the 2013–2019 and 2019–2023 data revealed consistent shrinkages in grassland and mixed and dense vegetation within the Longido North GCA, Masai OA and Irkishbor OA hunting blocks. Although individual land-cover losses in the given periods remained below 50% (our threshold for major habitat loss), these cumulative changes reduce habitat suitability, posing risks to biodiversity and the sustainability of TH. This study reveals the extent of human pressures on hunting blocks and calls for integrated regional planning, active management and targeted conservation strategies.

Abstract This article explores the representation of silvopastoral systems in European art from the 16th to the nineteenth century, with a specific focus on ruminant livestock grazing in wooded environments. Drawing from a wide interdisciplinary body of literature in agroforestry, environmental history and art history, this study adopts a scoping review approach combined with visual analysis of selected artworks. While not a systematic review, it synthesizes existing scientific knowledge on silvopastoralism (defined as the integration of trees, forage, and livestock) and applies this lens to historical paintings. By analyzing key botanical, forestry, zootechnical and land use elements in selected works, the research highlights the relationship between humans, animals, and natural ecosystems as captured through visual art. Particular attention is given to silvopastoral elements such as grazing patterns, tree cover, and animal breeds. Methodologically, the paper integrates knowledge from plant and animal sciences, ecology, and livestock management to assess how these elements are portrayed. The study indicates how artistic depictions provide valuable insights into historical land-use practices, animal husbandry, tree species, and rural socio-ecological dynamics that shape the European agroforestry heritage.

Abstract Climate change and human activities are increasingly influencing ecological communities. Within this context, increasing extreme snow events and persistent livestock grazing are known to pose significant challenges to alpine ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau. However, the mechanisms driving long‐term community assembly and structural changes under these concurrent pressures remain unclear. Here, we used a 16‐year field experiment in a Tibetan alpine grassland to investigate the effects of spring snow addition and yak grazing on taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional community diversity and structure. We found that snow addition was the primary driver of community structure, while the effects of grazing were less pronounced. Specifically, snow addition shifted the phylogenetic structure from being random to overdispersed. This shift was driven by the selective loss of species with conservative resource‐use strategies (i.e. those with high leaf dry matter content [LDMC] and low‐specific leaf area), which were phylogenetically more closely related to the residents than were the gained species. In contrast, communities remained functionally clustered under all treatments. This resulted from opposing structural shifts in individual traits, where LDMC became more overdispersed, while plant height and leaf nitrogen content (LNC) became more clustered, driven by the loss of taller species and the gain of species with low LNC. This decoupling between phylogenetic and functional responses suggests that environmental filtering selects for convergent functional adaptations among phylogenetically distant species. Synthesis . Our findings highlight the importance of considering multi‐faceted diversity metrics when exploring community assembly and provide the first experimental evidence that long‐term snow addition reshapes plant phylogenetic community structure on the Tibetan Plateau. Importantly, the loss of conservative species suggests that altered snow regimes may potentially shift key ecosystem functions in alpine grasslands. Our findings also demonstrate that integrating species gain and loss is essential for a predictive understanding of long‐term community dynamics under global change.

Small protected areas can contribute significantly to large carnivore conservation when managed effectively. The present study examines the population status, activity patterns, and food habits of leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) in Vansda National Park, along with the landscape composition surrounding this protected area in South Gujarat, India. To achieve our objectives, we deployed 15 camera traps across Vansda and collected scat samples along established trails and roads from January to December 2022. We identified eight unique leopards, exhibiting a predominantly nocturnal activity pattern, with the highest temporal overlap observed with chital (Axis axis, 0.52) and domestic goat (Capra hircus, 0.56). Dietary analysis revealed that wild prey contributed 69% and domestic prey 31% of total biomass consumption. Landscape composition analysis indicated that approximately 50% of the surrounding 1 and 8 km buffers consisted of forest habitat, suggesting a favourable habitat matrix. However, human disturbances, particularly agricultural expansion and livestock grazing, pose a significant threat to leopard persistence. Our findings underscore the importance of maintaining connectivity between forest patches and managing human-leopard interactions to ensure long-term conservation success in small protected areas.

Abstract Grazing by large herbivores is a critical factor shaping grassland biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide, yet its consequences for soil communities remain poorly understood. This gap is important because soil food webs underpin ecosystem processes and may respond differently to grazing depending on herbivore identity and local heterogeneity (i.e. patchiness). Here, a four‐year field experiment was conducted to investigate the influences of cattle and sheep grazing on soil nematode communities in a grassland that features a mosaic of degraded high‐salinity and undegraded low‐salinity patches. We focus on nematode communities because nematode‐based indices offer key insights into the structure of the soil food web and overall soil health. In the absence of grazing, degraded patches exhibited a more simplified soil food web structure, indicated by reduced nematode diversity, maturity index and structure index, but higher nematode biomass and energy flux compared to undegraded patches. However, sheep grazing reduced total nematode biomass and energy flux in degraded patches, while cattle grazing decreased the biomass of higher trophic levels (i.e. omnivores and predators), the energy flux from lower to higher trophic levels and flow uniformity in undegraded patches. These effects resulted from declines in the abundance of large‐bodied nematodes, primarily limited by soil pore space and soil microbial biomass. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that livestock grazing can exacerbate soil degradation by inhibiting soil fauna communities, but the outcomes are patch‐ and herbivore‐specific. By combining nematode structural and functional indices, our study advances understanding of how herbivore identity interacts with fine‐scale grassland heterogeneity to regulate soil food webs. This framework provides a new pathway for linking grazing management to soil health, offering a scientific basis for adaptive policies that balance production goals with sustainable grassland restoration under environmental change. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Nest predation is a major factor limiting avian reproductive success. It depends on factors such as bird community, land use, vegetation structure and landscape. Anthropogenic disturbances in native forests, such as logging and livestock grazing, alter forest structure and understory, potentially affecting nest predation rates. In this study, we analysed the susceptibility of open-cup nests to predation in Nothofagus antarctica forests in Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), comparing 15–50 years ago thinned—T and unthinned forests, the latter classified as open—O, closed—C or very closed—VC. We also identified nest predators through camera traps and the main variables influencing predation using a Generalized Lineal Model. Data were collected from 32 sites representing the four studied categories of canopy cover across two years (256 artificial nests per year). Artificial nest predation rates varied between year (9.4% in 2018 and 40.2% in 2022) and among forest types. In 2018, the O forests had the highest predation rate (50%, 12 in total), whereas in 2022, VC forests showed the greatest predation (38%, 39 in total). Camera traps identified three nest predators: Milvago chimango, Campephilus magellanicus and Xolmis pyrope. In 2018, canopy cover was the only variable that influenced artificial nest predation, while in 2022, tree sapling cover, patch shape, open-cup nester density and tree basal area were the most influential (in that order). We found annual variations driven by different ecological factors in N. antarctica forest of southern Patagonia. Although thinning showed no significant long-term effects on artificial nest predation on this study, more research is needed to understand the influence of low impact forest management in austral bird communities.

Livestock grazing in confined pastures often means grazing on a less diverse diet than under more natural conditions and increased exposure to gastrointestinal parasites prevailing in these pastures. However, how sward composition influences gut microbiome (GM) diversity and its relationship with parasite burden remains poorly understood. In this study, we analysed the faecal GM of weaned lambs grazing on two distinct sward types (perennial ryegrass and a mixed-species sward) over three consecutive months using 16S rRNA sequencing, in order to assess how microbial diversity and composition are related to environmental conditions and the gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) burden in naturally infected lambs. Sward type and sampling time explained some of the variation in GM alpha diversity and community composition (beta diversity), whereas individual lamb identity accounted for considerably more variation in microbial assemblages. Shifts in the relative abundance of bacterial genera such as Saccharofermentans, Anaerosporobacter, Butyrivibrio in relation to sward type and sampling time suggest mostly adaptive fluctuations in response to diet and pasture condition. Abundance shifts of Negativibacillus, and Candidatus Saccharimonas were also associated with GIN burden, which, in turn, was higher in lambs grazing on mixed swards compared to ryegrass. Our findings add to the growing understanding of how sheep microbiomes vary with pasture management and changes in parasite burden. We highlight that individual identity may shape gut microbiota, and that potential triadic interactions among gastrointestinal parasites, sward exposure, and the gut microbiome underscore the importance of considering host, parasite, and environmental factors collectively when evaluating microbiome dynamics in grazing livestock.

Livestock grazing in confined pastures often means grazing on a less diverse diet than under more natural conditions and increased exposure to gastrointestinal parasites prevailing in these pastures. However, how sward composition influences gut microbiome (GM) diversity and its relationship with parasite burden remains poorly understood. In this study, we analysed the faecal GM of weaned lambs grazing on two distinct sward types (perennial ryegrass and a mixed-species sward) over three consecutive months using 16S rRNA sequencing, in order to assess how microbial diversity and composition are related to environmental conditions and the gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) burden in naturally infected lambs. Sward type and sampling time explained some of the variation in GM alpha diversity and community composition (beta diversity), whereas individual lamb identity accounted for considerably more variation in microbial assemblages. Shifts in the relative abundance of bacterial genera such as Saccharofermentans, Anaerosporobacter, Butyrivibrio in relation to sward type and sampling time suggest mostly adaptive fluctuations in response to diet and pasture condition. Abundance shifts of Negativibacillus, and Candidatus Saccharimonas were also associated with GIN burden, which, in turn, was higher in lambs grazing on mixed swards compared to ryegrass. Our findings add to the growing understanding of how sheep microbiomes vary with pasture management and changes in parasite burden. We highlight that individual identity may shape gut microbiota, and that potential triadic interactions among gastrointestinal parasites, sward exposure, and the gut microbiome underscore the importance of considering host, parasite, and environmental factors collectively when evaluating microbiome dynamics in grazing livestock.

Livestock grazing in Vietnam’s special-use forest (SUF) system is both a social and ecological issue, reflecting the dependence of buffer-zone communities on forest resources while posing a challenge to biodiversity conservation. This study, conducted across 46 SUFs representing major ecological regions, combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess current grazing status, socio-ecological drivers, and management implications. Results revealed that 78.3% of SUFs had livestock grazing, with an average herd size of 45,486 ± 2,350 animals, of which 85.7% were free-ranging. Muong Nhe Nature Reserve was identified as a hotspot with 18,305 animals. The density of forest protection staff averaged 0.9 ± 0.4 persons per 1,000 ha—below the IUCN recommendation of about 2 persons per 1,000 ha—indicating limited human resources and management capacity. Regression analysis showed a strong correlation between herd size and the number of conservation violations (r = 0.985; R² = 0.97; p < 0.01), confirming herd size as a reliable indicator of ecological pressure. Qualitative analysis identified five key drivers: land scarcity, traditional practices, livelihood dependence, inadequate budgets, and weak coordination. The study proposes four management strategies: (i) strengthening institutional capacity and ecological monitoring technology; (ii) promoting co-management mechanisms; (iii) spatial planning for controlled grazing and alternative livelihoods; and (iv) integrating a One Health approach into conservation policies. The findings provide national-level empirical evidence on the socio-ecological mechanisms of livestock grazing, supporting adaptive management and sustainable development in buffer-zone communities.

This study assessed the level of knowledge and perception of pastoralists in the Bordj Bou Arreridj zone in the semi-arid region of Algeria regarding pastureland degradation and loss of forage species diversity. Through group discussions and field surveys, 100 pastoralists were interviewed regarding the status of pasturelands (sub-steppe, scrub and forest pastures) and the effects of pastureland conditions on forage and livestock. Sixty percent of the interviewed pastoralists reported a high level of pasture degradation, and 40% had experienced this situation in the last five years. Perceived degradation is significantly related to pasture type, municipality, age and education of pastoralists. Ninety percent of the farmers noted a decrease in plant coverage and 70% reported a reduction in floristic diversity. Forty species belonging to 19 plant families have disappeared, or their floristic diversity has been reduced. Climate change and drought, as well as increasing local populations and overgrazing, are recognised as the principal causes of this situation. The current condition of pastures has significantly affected livestock (livestock prices and herd size). Local stakeholders must act quickly to manage livestock grazing and help pastoral farmers supply feed and cultivated fodder.

Theory predicts that metacommunities, or connected ensembles of local communities, can be stabilized by dispersal in the face of environmental changes. Using a 25-y dataset from 80 grassland sites embedded in a 2,800-ha landscape, we tested for stabilizing effects of connectivity, defined here as the amount of source grassland habitat within dispersal-relevant radii of each site. We found no relationship of connectivity to the temporal variability of total cover or estimated biomass, or to the retention of species diversity over time, and no predicted unimodal relationship of connectivity to species richness. Connectivity did show a predicted positive relationship to temporal species turnover, but this effect disappeared after accounting for livestock grazing history. These grasslands changed toward taller exotic annual grass species and lower species richness over the study period, regardless of connectivity or grazing history, and the richness-reducing shift to taller grasses was consistent with previously documented thermophilization, i.e., shift to warmer and drier species composition. Connectivity in this system appears not to stabilize local communities undergoing directional change.

South Africa has a long history of studying specific dietary deficiencies in livestock grazing natural pastures (veld), with these pastures generally regarded as deficient in protein and phosphorus. The pioneering work by Sir Arnold Theiler and co-workers focused on addressing the cause of bovine botulism, but a direct link to an underlying phosphorus deficiency was later established. Other minerals have also received attention in South Africa, but since the early 1900s, the focus has mainly been on the phosphorus nutrition of grazing ruminant livestock. The initial focus on a primary phosphorus deficiency evolved and became the catalyst for renewed and comprehensive studies at Armoedsvlakte and elsewhere in southern Africa. The information obtained from these studies improved the understanding of the important roles and interactions between the selective grazing behaviour of ruminants and the composition of the veld, which serves as their primary source of daily nutrient intake. Supplementing grazing ruminants with various minerals and rumen-stimulating licks became routine practice, but results have varied and expected animal performance has not always been attained. This review provides a perspective of the nutrition of ruminant livestock grazing veld, with reference to the role of supplementary feeding, especially of phosphorus and the ever-present sodium chloride. Reference is also made to arthrosis or osteochondrosis, a phenomenon observed in grazing cattle since 1982. (Submitted 09 July 2025; Accepted 16 September 2025; Published 04 November 2025)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance plant performance through improved nutrient acquisition, stress resilience, and pathogen resistance while strengthening ecosystem functions through soil structure stabilization and carbon sequestration. Livestock grazing is the dominant grassland land-use globally, but the effects of increased grazing intensity on AMF remain debated. Importantly, the mechanistic drivers of AMF responses to grazing intensity remain poorly understood, particularly in arid grasslands. Based on an 18-yr experiment with four grazing intensities (no grazing, light grazing, moderate grazing, and heavy grazing) in a desert grassland in Inner Mongolia, we examined the response of the AMF community to grazing and the mechanisms underlying the observed changes in AMF communities. AMF diversity, as well as the number of nodes, edges, and overall complexity of the AMF inter-species network, decreased progressively from no grazing to heavy grazing. Grazing also altered AMF community composition, with a significant increase in the abundance of the genus Glomus under heavy grazing. These changes in AMF communities were dominated by deterministic processes. Specifically, intensifying grazing is accompanied by reduced plant diversity and soil nutrient availability, as well as the prevalence of more stress-tolerant plant ecological strategies, all of which contribute to the simplification of AMF communities. Our results demonstrate that both host plants and soil nutrient availability are the key drivers shaping AMF communities in grazed desert grasslands. Given the important functions of AMF and the negative impacts of long-term grazing on it, there is an urgency to promote diverse grazing systems and reduce grazing pressure to improve grassland management.