Livestock grazing effects on ant communities in the eastern Mojave Desert, USA
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Authors: M. S. Nash, D. F. Bradford, S. E. Franson, A. C. Neale, W. G. Whitford, and D. T. Heggem
Date: 2004
Journal: Ecological Indicators
Volume: 4
Number: 3
Pages: 199-213
Summary of Methods: The effects of grazing on ant communities on eastern Mojave Desert rangelands, was examined. Ants were collected from June 2-July 22 along transects radiating from livestock water wells and were identified to species or taxonomic unit, additional population data were also determined. Plant species richness and cover data were collected at the same time ant collections were made.
Article Summary / Main Points: Grazing intensity decreased along a gradient from high to low as distance from wells increased. Cattle grazing did not affect ant presence but did affect ant species abundance. Some ant species preferred areas of high grazing intensity (Conomyrma spp. and Pheidole spp.) while others preferred less grazing (Aphaenofaster mefommata and Monomorium wheelerorum). As organic debris increased so did ant abundance. Overall ant population metrics (relative abundance and species richness) are not good indicators of the impacts of grazing.
Vegetation Types: Desert Shrublands
MLRA Ecoregions: 30 Mojave Desert
Agrovoc Control Words: Grazing Rangelands Ants
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: ant, ant community, bare patches, bioindicator, indicator, livestock grazing, mojave desert, rangeland condition, vegetation
Annotation: This replicated study and the associated results apply to Mojave Desert rangelands. This study was only conducted for one season and it is therefore unclear how much year to year variation might influence the effects of grazing on ant populations. No clear connections between ant communities and grazing intensities were observed. Because the study did not quantify or report grazing intensities, it is difficult to determine how results apply to specific heavy or light grazing intensities. Also, an ungrazed control was not included and it is therefore unclear if a grazed site would have different ant populations than ungrazed sites. Nash et al. (2001, J. Arid Environments 49:695-710) also found that ant population metrics are poor indicators of grazing impacts on range quality in the Great Basin, available on the RSIS website.
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