INTACT

INTeracting effects of Abiotics and Carnivores shape herbivore Top-down effects

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Herbivore top-down effects and abiotic bottom-up effects are important in structuring forest systems. Recent studies showed that carnivores may shape indirectly herbivore effects. It is largely unknown how these factors interact in complete ecosystems. The project aims to understand how large canivores and abiotics shape herbivore top-down effects. The study area is one of the most complete forest systems in Europe, the Białowieża Primeval Forest in Poland, harbouring two large carnivores (wolf, lynx) and five ungulates (bison, moose, red deer, roe deer, wild boar). To test the interactions between herbivory and abiotics we will use an experiment that was started during the previous Marie Curie Fellowship of the applicant. In this full-factorial experiment the effects of both factors on ungulates and growth of trees have been measured. Also the work started by the applicant on 'browsing lawns' will be expanded. This new concept was recently described for African systems where intensive foraging by herbivores leads to a positive feed-back on food availability and quality. By means of video cameras and small exclosures in browsing lawns we will study if similar principles operate in temperate forest systems. The interactions between carnivores and herbivores will be studied by relating data on predator presence (scats, tracks, dens) to existing data of radio-collared ungulates from the host institute. Small-scale experiments should reveal whether olfactory cues or habitat visibility are important factors in predator avoidance. The applicant will work at the institute of his previous Marie Curie Fellowship. Hence the project allows for a continuation of the established contacts within and outside the Polish institute as well as international cooperation (Netherlands, Norway). The proposed work will form the habilitation thesis of the applicant which greatly facilitates his long-term reintegration in the Polish scientific community after the duration of the project.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A recent research project has advanced our understanding of the interaction between predators, herbivores and plants in the forests of Poland.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The temperate forest of Bia?owie?a (Poland) belongs to one of the last remaining natural forests in Europe. Understanding the interplay between ungulate (hoofed) herbivores, their predators and the plants of the forest is important for the conservation of these ecosystems.

The EU-funded 'Interacting effects of abiotics and carnivores shape herbivore top-down effects' (INTACT) project set out to study this interaction. Several experiments and observations were conducted in the Bialowieza Primeval Forest (BPF) in Poland.

Contrary to other forests, browsing ungulates in the BPF appear to indirectly stimulate the regeneration of their preferred food plant species. Other tree species may regenerate despite high browsing pressure by native ungulate species as was shown for English oak (Quercus robur).

Another noteworthy finding was that coarse woody debris protects oak seedlings from browsing, especially in forest gaps. And interestingly, acorns were foraged more frequently (by voles and wild boar) in areas of coarse woody debris, but saplings were browsed less (by deer).

The influence of wolves (Canis lupus) on the browsing patterns of red deer was also studied. Researchers showed that browsing behaviour changed when the deer were in wolf territories, thus demonstrating that predators indirectly influence tree regeneration in forests.

INTACT's work has broadened our scientific understanding of forest ecosystems. This will have an impact on ecosystems biology and forest conservation in temperate climes.