Montane Grasslands Research Articles

Colonial management drives ecological change following the exclusion of Indigenous stewardship in a Stoney Iyethka montane grassland, Canadian Rocky Mountains

Abstract For millennia, Indigenous Peoples and their ecological stewardship have kept culturally important landscapes open, diverse and productive. Under colonization which suppresses stewardship activities, landscape vegetation patterns shift and areas previously stewarded by Indigenous Peoples are now undergoing successional change. As a case study, we document ecological change on the homelands of the Stoney Iyethka Nations in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, where landscapes have changed dramatically over the past century of colonial management. On the Stoney Iyethka traditional montane Egnuck Wida grasslands, we analysed vegetation change on both the landscape and plot level. Using oblique photographs taken in 1924 paired with 2021 satellite imagery, we compared past and present landscape vegetation cover and assessed drivers of succession. We also examined differences in vegetation class cover and plant community structure between surveys conducted in 1981, 1995 and 2020. Nearly half (47%) of the landscape surveyed showed seral progression in vegetation class, which was not explained by topography, geology or climate warming. Grassland area decreased four‐fold between 1924 and 2021. Grassland retention was strongly related to management zoning, with greater losses in the crown‐managed ecological reserve than on lands that remain under Stoney Iyethka stewardship. Vegetation plots surveyed reveal changes to plant community composition and shifts in dominant vegetation class. In plots previously composed primarily of forbs and graminoids, shrubs have become the dominant groundcover. Declines in historic vegetation include a loss of culturally important food, medicine and ceremonial plants to the Stoney Iyethka Nations. The most likely explanation for these results is the displacement of Indigenous Peoples and their stewardship from the landscape. We demonstrate that the past century of colonial environmental management has altered ecological processes maintained on this landscape for millennia by Indigenous Peoples. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Mapping human footprint changes over Qingzang Plateau

Mapping human footprint (HF) is crucial for understanding the cumulative anthropogenic pressures on the environment. However, its effectiveness is often hampered by the absence of fine-scale, high-quality spatio-temporal datasets. Addressing this gap, we present the first annual HF maps for the Qingzang Plateau (QP) from 1990 to 2020, at a 100 m × 100 m resolution, boasting an accuracy exceeding 80%. Our findings reveal that the QP's human-induced modifications were relatively low, with a median HF of 3.39 in 2020, significantly lower than the global average of 7.56. The northeast and mid-south regions of the QP emerged as hotspots for anthropogenic impact. Notably, over two-thirds (68.2%) of the QP registered an HF score below 4, classifying them as largely intact. However, the QP's average HF score has escalated more swiftly than the global mean (0.0348/yr vs. 0.0186/yr), particularly in the last decade, indicating escalating human pressures. In terms of stability, montane grasslands and shrublands comprised 75.1% of moderately or highly altered biomes in 2020. In contrast, tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests witnessed the most substantial HF increases. Encouragingly, 26.29% of the QP experienced HF reductions over the past thirty years, highlighting potential conservation opportunities. Conversely, a significant HF increase across 36.59% of the QP underscores the pressing need to mitigate the adverse effects of intensified human activities. Our HF maps will be conducive to improve understanding the profound impacts wrought by human activities on the QP, and support the conservation planning and resource management needs, as well as decision-making related to restoration objectives.

Physiological and molecular characterization of novel gut strains isolated from the fecal pellets of Nilgiritragus hylocrius

The Nilgiri Tahr are the high-altitude dwelling mountain ungulates, endemic to the Southern Western Ghats of India. These endangered, hoofed mammals inhabit the unique shola grassland biome. These herbivores feed on a diversity of plants including grasses, herbs, shrubs etc. They play an important ecological role in the maintenance of montane grassland ecosystems. Grazing by Nilgiri Tahrs in the montane grasslands supports the hydrology of these areas. In the present study, four novel gut bacterial species were isolated from the fecal pellets of Nilgiri Tahr. The four isolated strains from the gut of Nilgiri Tahr were characterized through an integrated approach involving morphology, physiology, and phylogeny. Molecular characterization was conducted using universal bacterial primers, followed by sequencing. Homology analysis of the sequences confirmed that the isolates were Bacillus safensis, B. aerius, B. subtilis and B. australimaris. These four Bacillus isolates are of viable importance in maintaining the gut health of Nilgiri Tahr and improves digestion in ruminants. The present study prompts that more intense research could be done on B. safensis to augment its use as biofertilizer , whereas B. aerius, B. subtilis and B. australimaris could have a great potential for enzyme production and bioprospecting studies. However, in depth research is needed and this current research is only a basic study for characterization of gut microbial isolates of Nilgiri Tahr.

Montane grassland recovery: lessons from 25 years of the Working for Water program on the northern Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa

Despite their strategic importance as biodiversity hotspots and water sources, montane ecosystems are among the most neglected conservation areas. In particular, the monitoring and management of invasive alien plants in this critical biome is limited. This study presents an analysis of long‐term invasive alien plant removal within montane grassland ecosystems, drawing on insights from 25 years of the Working for Water (WfW) program on the northern Drakensberg Escarpment. We assessed the response of vegetation communities to invasive alien plant removal in this region. Using data from the WfW program on clearance activities, expenditure, and re‐visit times, we compared plant species richness, diversity, and composition in sites managed under the WfW program to adjacent patches of pristine vegetation. Results showed minimal variation in species richness between cleared sites and unmanaged sites. However, these vegetation communities remain distinctly dissimilar across sites. These findings suggest the need for active restoration of montane vegetation communities if they are to return to their natural condition and further highlight the need to conserve the remaining habitats for critically endangered species, even in their depauperate state.

Classification of montane grasslands in central Argentina

AbstractQuestionWe address the following questions: (1) which are the main plant communities in montane grasslands in central Argentina; (2) do those communities differ in terms of floristic composition, endemisms, chorotypes and life forms; and (3) which are the major environmental variables (climatic, topographic and edaphic) associated with the heterogeneity of the vegetation?LocationPampean Mountains (Sierras Pampeanas), Córdoba Province, central Argentina, an area of ca. 37,000 km2.MethodsThe survey was based on a data set comprising 746 relevés and 822 vascular plant species, collected in accordance with the Braun‐Blanquet sampling method. The data were classified using the hierarchical ISOmetric feature mapping and Partitioning Around Medoids, and ordinated through isometric feature mapping (ISOPAM). The environmental variables were related to the ISOPAM ordination.ResultsThe ISOPAM classification identified two clusters, five vegetation types and 17 plant communities, which were distributed across different elevations. There were notable differences in the diagnostic species, average percentages of endemic species, chorotypes and life forms among the various vegetation types and plant communities. The primary gradient in grassland vegetation was found to be associated with elevation and related climatic variables.ConclusionsThe study provides valuable insights into the montane grasslands of the Sierras Pampeanas in central Argentina. It presents a comprehensive classification of the region's grasslands, including tall tussock grasslands, humid grasslands, stony grasslands, and grasslands with scattered shrubs and trees. Each recognized unit is distinguished by diagnostic species and a distinct floristic composition. Our findings emphasize a significant division between grasslands at higher elevation, abundant in Andean species, and Piedmont and shrubby grasslands at lower elevations, characterized by a higher prevalence of Chacoan and other Neotropical species. Grassland vegetation in other regions of the Sierras Pampeanas remains poorly studied, requiring additional research to determine the syntaxonomic position of this vegetation.

Spatial dynamics and drivers of recent changes in grass and shrub cover in submontane grassland plant communities

AbstractShrub encroachment into grassland ecosystems has been increasingly observed and documented worldwide in recent years. A grass–shrub transition can affect the diversity, abundance and functional integrity of grassland plant communities and understanding the drivers behind these processes is therefore crucial. While potential environmental drivers are often investigated, the role of spatial patterns of neighbouring shrub density in local shrub encroachment has been less well studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the relative role of neighbouring shrub density and topography as potential key drivers of shrub encroachment in a typical montane grassland ecosystem in New Zealand. We used the SPOT (Satellite Pour l’Observation) 6/7 multispectral imagery captured on one day in 2013 and in 2017 to calculate recent changes in shrub/grass cover during this period. Using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we classified the study area into grassland and shrubland and quantified the extent and change in these two land-cover types over the study period. We then investigated the relationships between changes in land cover and neighbourhood shrub density, elevation and aspect. Between 2013 and 2017, there was an overall shrubland increase of + 0.35% of the study area per year, and grassland decrease of −0.43% per year. Locations at which any change in vegetation type occurred were more likely to be at mid-elevation (c. 600–1,000 m a.s.l.) and on west-facing slopes. Highest shrub expansion rates were observed on areas that were on warmer, north-facing slopes and at elevations below 900 m a.s.l.; this is consistent with areas below the pre-human, natural treeline which is estimated to be at very similar elevations. We found a marked threshold in the degree to which neighbourhood shrub density correlated with local shrub encroachment: local shrub encroachment only occurred when shrub cover in the neighbourhood exceeded 40% and peaked at c. 60% indicating the potential for a sudden grass–shrub regime shift once shrub cover reaches a certain level. Our study provides new evidence from the Southern Hemisphere of a measurable and interacting effect of topography and neighbourhood shrub density on recent shrub encroachment rates in montane grasslands even over short time periods.

Sensitivity of montane grassland water fluxes to warming and elevated CO2 from local to catchment scale: A case study from the Austrian Alps

Study region: Montane grassland within the Gulling catchment, Austrian Alps. Study focus: A climate-change experiment in a grassland ecosystem used lysimeters and HYDRUS-1D models to quantify changes in evapotranspiration (ET) and groundwater recharge (GWR) due to warming (＋3 °C) and elevated CO2 concentrations (ΔCO2; ＋300 ppm). Findings at the plot-scale were generalized and transferred to the surrounding catchment, half comprised of grassland, using three lumped rainfall–runoff models and two spatially-distributed Community Water Models, differing in soil hydraulic properties.New hydrological insights for the region: Warming increased ET and decreased GWR and river discharge compared to ambient conditions. ΔCO2 increased stomatal resistance, which partially offset warming effects. In scenarios combining warming and ΔCO2, the impact of warming was higher than ΔCO2 effect. Elevation influenced the sensitivity of ET to warming, which was greater at the catchment scale than at the plot scale, while GWR was more sensitive to warming at the plot scale. Under dry conditions, GWR and discharge exhibited increased sensitivity to warming at both scales. HYDRUS-1D successfully reproduced lysimeter experiment results and their sensitivity to warming and ΔCO2. Despite model agreement on water flux sensitivity to climate changes, the varying response magnitudes highlight the need for a multi-model approach in climate impact assessments. This study provides insights into how climate change might impact hydrological dynamics of montane grassland systems across the Central European Alps.

The impact of Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. on plant diversity, richness and soil properties in South Africa

Nassella trichotoma (Poaceae) is a highly invasive South American grass that is invading montane grasslands in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Although N. trichotoma has been recognised as a major problem in these mountains for decades, the primary concern has been on impacts on rangeland productivity and management, while the impacts of invasions on plant biodiversity have not been considered. To understand the impact of N. trichotoma on local plant biodiversity, 81 pairs of plots (total of 162 plots) were laid out in the Sneeuberg and Eastern Cape Drakensberg mountains, Eastern Cape, in March 2020 and March 2021. At each site plots were located in grassland invaded by N. trichotoma and in nearby uninvaded grassland (control). A total of 20 N. trichotoma patches were sampled with two to four plot pairs per site. All vascular plant species were recorded in all plots, the cover abundance of each species per plot was visually estimated, and the topsoil was sampled and analysed for differences in nutrient and physical factors between invaded and uninvaded plots. Plant species diversity was 24 % higher in uninvaded areas, and the native grasses Pentameris airoides (Χ2 = 4.93, d.f. = 1, p < 0.01), Tenaxia disticha (Χ2 = 5.51, d.f. = 1, p < 0.01), and Themeda triandra (Χ2 = 9.28, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001) were significantly less abundant in invaded plots. Uninvaded areas had greater native species diversity (65 species) and fewer alien species (3) than invaded areas (47 and 9 respectively). Of the 18 soil variables measured, the following were significantly higher in invaded areas than uninvaded areas: boron (23 %), calcium (18 %), phosphorous (58 %), silt (10 %), total cations (12 %), and zinc (68 %). This suggest that N. trichotoma alters soil nutrients. The results indicate that N. trichotoma is a powerful driver of native biodiversity erosion in these montane grasslands and should be a cause for major concern by landowners and government.

Regional patterns and drivers of modelled water flows along environmental, functional, and stand structure gradients in Spanish forests

Abstract. The study of the water cycle in the forest at large scales, such as countries, is challenging due to the difficulty of correctly estimating forest water flows. Hydrological models can be coupled with extensive forest data sources, such as national forest inventories, to estimate the water flow of forests over large extents, but so far the studies conducted have not analysed the role of stand structure variables or the functional traits of the forest on predicted blue and green water flows in detail. In this study, we modelled the water balance of Spanish forests using stand structure and species data from forest inventories to understand the effects of climate, stand structure, and functional groups on blue water flows. We calculated blue water and green water flows and expressed them relative to received precipitation. Relative blue water flow was mainly concentrated in the wetter regions (Atlantic and alpine biomes) of Spain (around 25 %) in comparison with the Mediterranean biomes (10 %–20 %) and during the autumn–winter season. The leaf area index (LAI) of the forest stand is the most important predictor of relative blue water, exhibiting a negative effect until it reaches a plateau at higher levels (around 2.5–3). Deciduous forests showed a greater relative blue water flow than evergreen functional groups (25 %–35 % and 10 %–25 %, respectively) primarily due to leaf fall during the autumn–winter season. This study highlights how green water is decoupled from blue water; namely, blue water depends on winter and autumn precipitation, while green water depends on the spring and summer water demand and how the species' functional traits (deciduous vs. evergreen) can influence blue water production.

Ecological restoration largely alleviates livestock grazing pressure in a montane grassland

Over the past few decades, grassland productivity in mountainous regions has been increasingly affected by livestock grazing and land use/cover changes. Human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) is a valuable metric for assessing human impacts on grasslands. To date, knowledge of the patterns and drivers of HANPP in montane grasslands remains limited. In this study, we developed a 1 km × 1 km resolution HANPP dataset for the grasslands of the Qilian Mountains from 2000 to 2020 using two process-based models. We aimed to examine the spatial distribution characteristics and temporal trends of HANPP and explore the effects of climatic conditions, rural populations, cultivated areas, and livestock numbers on the interannual variability of HANPP. The results showed that HANPP decreased significantly with increasing elevation due to the corresponding decrease in population density. During the study period, HANPP showed a widespread decline, which was significant in 15.4% of the grassland area, mainly in alpine meadows. Climatic factors and human activities explained 60.8% and 39.2% of the temporal variability in HANPP, respectively. In particular, precipitation was negatively correlated with HANPP, whereas air temperature and number of livestock were positively correlated with HANPP based on correlation analysis. By providing a refined spatial assessment of human impacts on montane grasslands, this study suggests that ecological restoration projects, especially the Grain to Green and Grazing Withdrawal Programs, can reduce human pressures on grassland productivity by controlling population density and grazing intensity. Furthermore, the adoption of enclosed paddocks and supplemental feeding may mitigate montane grassland degradation near villages. This study elucidates the primary factors influencing the spatiotemporal patterns of HANPP in an area with typical montane grasslands, thereby supporting research-based decision making.

Assessing montane grassland and butterfly biodiversity to improve management strategies in locally significant conservation areas

Montane grasslands must be managed effectively to conserve biodiversity since they play an important role in sustaining healthy and diversified ecosystems. A 9 km transect was used to assess plant and lepidopteran biodiversity in mountain meadows in Bilbor, Romania. Different management strategies were used in each plot. The identified plants were divided into three categories: Poaceae, Fabaceae, and other families. In the case of lepidoptera, diurnal butterfly species from three families were observed: Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, and Pieridae. The number of plant species in the abandoned meadows was reduced, with a focus on those with low fodder value (Nardus stricta and Deschampsia flexuosa), as well as some invasive species (Vaccinium myrtillus). The implementation of protection and conservation measures resulted in species diversification, with an increase in the number of Poaceae (11 to 16 species) and Fabaceae (nine to fourteen species). In addition to providing more feed, the flora can benefit lepidopteran entomofauna. During the monitoring period, 29 species were identified from the three lepidopteran families. The most abundant species were Maniola jurtina L., Boloria selene Denis &amp; Schif., Argynnis paphia L., Coenonympha pamphilus L. (Nymphalidae), Pseudophilotes schiffermuelleri Hemming (Lycaenidae), and Pieris mannii Mayer (Pieridae). Traditional mowing and grazing activities can help to maintain the structure and composition of these ecosystems, limiting biological succession to forest and sustaining floristic biodiversity.

Species composition and conservation of amphibians in Central Panay Mountain Range, Antique, Philippines

Abstract. Flores GMA, Torres AG, Flores ABA, Jakosalem PGC, Guihawan JQ, Roa-Quiaoit HA. 2024. Species composition and conservation of amphibians in Central Panay Mountain Range, Antique, Philippines. Biodiversitas 25: 1797-1808. Assessing amphibian species composition and conservation status in Central Panay Mountain Range (CPMR), the largest contiguous forest in West Visayas in central Philippines, provides relevant and updated information on the status and conservation needs of the amphibians. Opportunistic, visual encounter and acoustic surveys were employed across diverse habitats-lowland and lower montane forests, streams, and grasslands. A total of 11 amphibian species from six families were documented, with notable findings including endemic species such as Rough-backed forest frog Platymantis corrugatus Duméril 1853, Dumeril’s wrinkled ground frog Platymantis dorsalis Duméril 1853, and Philippine narrow-mouth toad Kaloula conjuncta negrosensis Taylor 1922, as well as threatened species Panay forest frog Platymantis panayensis Brown, Brown and Alcala 1997, which is endemic to Panay Island. The P. dorsalis emerged as the most abundant, with 127 individuals recorded. Furthermore, two new distribution records of amphibians, narrow-mouth toad Kaloula sp. and panther flying frog Rhacophorus pardalis Günther 1858 were identified, potentially representing previously undocumented species endemic to the Philippines. The survey also revealed local threats posing significant risks to amphibian populations in the area. Several conservation measures have been proposed to protect amphibians and their habitats within CPMR. Given the area's rich biodiversity and ecological integrity, efforts are currently being implemented to establish CPMR as a nationally protected area, and this study contributes to this initiative by providing baseline data on amphibian diversity, underscoring the role of amphibians as ecological indicators of ecosystem health.

A causal trait model for explaining foliar water uptake capacity

AbstractQuestionsPlants largely vary in their capacity for foliar water uptake (FWU), that is, the capacity to increase leaf water content by directly absorbing water from leaf‐wetting events. Climate change will reduce leaf wetting and increase drought events. Therefore, we need a better understanding of the underlying traits and mechanisms that facilitate FWU.LocationSeasonally dry tropical montane grasslands in Brazil (Campos de Altitude).MethodsWe measured FWU and leaf traits related to wettability, surface conductance, water potential and water storage on up to 55 plant species. By using Direct Acyclic Graph theory and Bayesian modelling, we tested how those leaf traits affect FWU.ResultsWe found that stomatal conductance largely explained interspecific variation in FWU, which was also favoured in species with hydrophilic leaves, high cuticular conductance, more negative leaf water potentials, low dry‐matter content, isohydric behaviour, and more elastic cell walls.ConclusionsDue to the existence of trade‐offs, not all species exhibit an optimal combination of traits that favours FWU. Instead, co‐occurring species have achieved a similar capacity for FWU through distinct trait combinations. Consequently, species engaged in FWU may exhibit differential vulnerabilities to climate change as they can cope with drought using other strategies beside FWU.

The effect of livestock grazing on plant diversity and productivity of mountainous grasslands in South America - A meta-analysis.

Mountainous grasslands in South America, characterized by their high diversity, provide a wide range of contributions to people, including water regulation, soil erosion prevention, livestock feed provision, and preservation of cultural heritage. Prior research has highlighted the significant role of grazing in shaping the diversity and productivity of grassland ecosystems, especially in highly productive, eutrophic systems. In such environments, grazing has been demonstrated to restore grassland plant diversity by reducing primary productivity. However, it remains unclear whether these findings are applicable to South American mountainous grasslands, where plants are adapted to different environmental conditions. To address this uncertainty, we conducted a meta-analysis of experiments excluding livestock grazing to assess its impact on plant diversity and productivity across mountainous grasslands in South America. In alignment with studies in temperate grasslands, our findings indicated that herbivore exclusion resulted in increased aboveground biomass but reduced species richness and Shannon diversity. The effects of grazing exclusion became more pronounced with longer durations of exclusion; nevertheless, they remained resilient to various climatic conditions, including mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature, as well as the evolutionary history of grazing. In contrast to results observed in temperate grasslands, the reduction in species richness due to herbivore exclusion was not associated with increased aboveground biomass. This suggests that the processes governing (sub)tropical grassland plant diversity may differ from those in temperate grasslands. Consequently, further research is necessary to better understand the specific factors influencing plant diversity and productivity in South American montane grasslands and to elucidate the ecological implications of herbivore exclusion in these unique ecosystems.

Species richness: A pivotal factor mediating the effects of land use intensification and climate on grassland multifunctionality

Abstract Temperate seminatural grasslands harbour unique biodiversity, support livestock farming through forage production, and deliver many essential ecosystem services (ESs) to human society; they are highly multifunctional. However, temperate grassland ecosystems are also among the most threatened ecosystems on earth due to land use and climate changes. Understanding how biodiversity, climate and land use intensification impact grassland multifunctionality through complex direct and indirect pathways is critical to better anticipate the future of these fragile ecosystems. Here, we evaluate how local plant species richness (SR) modulates the effect of land use intensification and climate on grassland multifunctionality (using six key ESs: biomass productivity and stability, forage quality, carbon storage, pollination and local plant rarity) in the French Massif Central, the largest grassland in Western Europe. We sampled 100 grasslands with contrasted fertilization rates and SR, over large elevational and latitudinal gradients related to variation in mean annual temperature (MAT), and drought severity (DS), two key climate change drivers predicted to increase in the future. Using a confirmatory path analysis, we found that SR was the main driver of multifunctionality. We also found significant SR × MAT and SR × fertilization interactions suggesting that warm climate and high fertilization rates alter the biodiversity–ecosystem multifunctionality relationships. Furthermore, increasing temperature and fertilization indirectly influenced multifunctionality by decreasing SR and consequent multifunctionality in warm lowland and highly fertilized grasslands compared to colder montane grasslands or less fertilized ones. DS only impacted some ES individually (e.g. forage quality). Synthesis and applications: We identified species richness (SR) as a pivotal factor mediating the effects of land use intensification and climate on multifunctionality through both direct and indirect pathways. Failing to account for changes in SR could thus bias any prediction of, or aggravate, the effects of land use intensification and climate change on ecosystem services delivery in temperate grassland ecosystems. Considering that SR, mean annual temperature and fertilization are major proxies of three main global change drivers (biodiversity loss, climate change and land use intensification) our study may help to better anticipate the effect of multiple interacting global change drivers on grassland ecosystems.

Variation of the Montezuma Quail's Diet in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas

The Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) is a game bird that inhabits oak-juniper-pine savannas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, extending its range south into montane grasslands of Mexico. The species occurs within a complex matrix of public and private rangeland in which land management regimes and habitat quality are disparate. Given that food limitation can be a driver of wildlife populations, studies of the Montezuma quail diet can inform the management of its habitat. Our objective was to determine the composition and variation of the Montezuma quail's diet in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas by macrohistological analysis of crops (n = 175) collected in 2016−2020 during winter in all three states and during spring in Texas. We used Dirichlet regression to determine the effects of ecological factors on diet composition. Winter diet in Arizona was mainly represented by woodsorrel bulbs (Oxalis spp.; 35.22% of dry weight), sedge rhizomes and bulbs (Cyperus spp.; 30.92%), and acorns (Quercus spp.; 7.17%). Winter diet in New Mexico consisted mainly of sedge bulbs (64.13%), bushbean seeds (Macroptilium sp.; 15.82%), and Hall's panicum seeds (Panicum hallii; 10.11%). Winter diet in Texas was composed of sedge rhizomes and bulbs (28.17%), Texas snoutbeans (Rhynchosia senna; 22.49), Hall's panicum seeds (19.54%), and wild onions (Allium spp.; 8.58%). Spring diet in Texas included sedge rhizomes and bulbs (67.90%), woodsorrel bulbs (19.49%), and Texas snoutbeans (5.55%). Geographic variation in diet composition was related to climatic, ecological, and intrinsic factors. For instance, in addition to being consumed by males at a higher rate, woodsorrel bulbs were also consumed at a greater rate in hotter and wetter locations. Along with novel information about the Montezuma quail diet in Texas, our investigation will stimulate questions relevant to rangeland and wildlife management, including determinants of habitat quality and the effects of climate change on wildlife populations.

A biogeographical appraisal of the threatened South East Africa Montane Archipelago ecoregion

Recent biological surveys of ancient inselbergs in southern Malawi and northern Mozambique have led to the discovery and description of many species new to science, and overlapping centres of endemism across multiple taxa. Combining these endemic taxa with data on geology and climate, we propose the ‘South East Africa Montane Archipelago’ (SEAMA) as a distinct ecoregion of global biological importance. The ecoregion encompasses 30 granitic inselbergs reaching > 1000 m above sea level, hosting the largest (Mt Mabu) and smallest (Mt Lico) mid-elevation rainforests in southern Africa, as well as biologically unique montane grasslands. Endemic taxa include 127 plants, 45 vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and 45 invertebrate species (butterflies, freshwater crabs), and two endemic genera of plants and reptiles. Existing dated phylogenies of endemic animal lineages suggests this endemism arose from divergence events coinciding with repeated isolation of these mountains from the pan-African forests, together with the mountains’ great age and relative climatic stability. Since 2000, the SEAMA has lost 18% of its primary humid forest cover (up to 43% in some sites)—one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa. Urgently rectifying this situation, while addressing the resource needs of local communities, is a global priority for biodiversity conservation.

A new living species of the genus Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) from central-western Argentina

Abstract The genus Ctenomys Blainville, 1826 includes 68 living species of small to medium-sized (100–1200 g) caviomorph rodents of subterranean habits. During the last decade, this genus has been the subject of numerous taxonomic studies, including the description of new species and the proposal of novel synonyms. Based on phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences and qualitative and quantitative morphological traits, here we review the species boundaries of the tuco-tucos of the species group of C. mendocinus and describe a new species. The new species is morphologically distinct from other phylogenetically and geographically close species of Ctenomys (e.g., C. fochi, C. mendocinus), showing several differences in their craniodental traits (e.g., proportionally longer nasals and less globose tympanic bullae). The new species occurs in montane grasslands and shrublands of northwestern Mendoza (ca. 2710 m a.s.l.) and in lowlands (ca. 1000 m a.s.l.) of the Monte Desert ecoregion in an area highly impacted by accelerated processes associated with the wine industry.

The Biodiversity of Exposure of Forest–Steppe Mountain Biomes of Siberia

The Biodiversity of Exposure of Forest–Steppe Mountain Biomes of Siberia

Bryophyte Flora in Alpine Grasslands of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Based on Plot Sampling

The species number of bryophytes is the second highest among land plants. Alpine grasslands on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) are the largest among global alpine biomes. However, bryophyte flora in alpine grasslands on the QTP remains poorly explored relative to its large geographic extent. A total of 347 plots were surveyed across the QTP, and 149 bryophyte taxa in 24 families and 49 genera were recorded in alpine grasslands. The largest family was Pottiaceae, followed by Bryaceae and Brachytheciaceae. The most species-rich genus was Bryum, followed by Didymodon and Brachythecium. The dominant species were Didymodon tectorus, Didymodon fallax, Bryum caespiticium, Didymodon constrictus, and Didymodon ditrichoides. The Jaccard similarity indexes of bryophyte compositions between alpine meadow and alpine steppe at the family, genus, and species levels were 0.375, 0.367, and 0.282, respectively. Turf was the most common life-form (75.2%), followed by weft (16.1%) and cushion (5.4%). Endemic species to China accounted for 8.05% of the total taxa. Bryophyte diversity in alpine grasslands on the QTP is exceptional and irreplaceable. The changes in species composition and life-forms between different grassland types reflect the adaptations of bryophytes to harsh environments.