期刊
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
卷 12, 期 3, 页码 237-249出版社
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12225
关键词
arid zones; Dasyuridae; livestock grazing; refuges; survival strategies
类别
资金
- Hermon Slade Foundation
- Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment
- Nature Conservancy Applied Conservation Award
- Thomas Foundation
- Ecological Society of Australia
- South Australian chapter of the Australian Federation of University Women
- Nature Foundation of South Australia
- Australian Geographic Society
- Royal Geographical Society of South Australia
- Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia
- S. Kidman and Co.
- School of Natural and Built Environments at the University of South Australia
Deserts exhibit extreme climatic conditions. Small desert-dwelling vertebrates have physiological and behavioral adaptations to cope with these conditions, including the ability to seek shelter. We investigated the temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) regulating properties of the soil cracks that characterize the extensive cracking-clay landscapes of arid Australia, and the extent of their use by 2 small marsupial species: fat-tailed and stripe-faced dunnarts (Sminthopsis crassicaudata and Sminthopsis macroura). We measured hourly (over 24-h periods) the T and RH of randomly-selected soil cracks compared to outside conditions, during 2 summers and 2 winters. We tracked 17 dunnarts (8 Sminthopsis crassicaudata and 9 Sminthopsis macroura) to quantify their use of cracks. Cracks consistently moderated microclimate, providing more stable conditions than available from non-crack points, which often displayed comparatively dramatic fluctuations in T and RH. Both dunnart species used crack shelters extensively. Cracks constitute important shelter for small animals during extreme conditions by providing a stable microclimate, which is typically cooler than outside conditions in summer and warmer in winter. Cracks likely play a fundamental sheltering role by sustaining the physiological needs of small mammal populations. Globally, cracking-clay areas are dominated by agricultural land uses, including livestock grazing. Management of these systems should focus not only on vegetation condition, but also on soil integrity, to maintain shelter resources for ground-dwelling fauna.
作者
我是这篇论文的作者
点击您的名字以认领此论文并将其添加到您的个人资料中。
推荐
暂无数据