Interplay of competition and facilitation in grazing succession by migrant Serengeti herbivores.
Science
; 383(6684): 782-788, 2024 Feb 16.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38359113
ABSTRACT
Competition, facilitation, and predation offer alternative explanations for successional patterns of migratory herbivores. However, these interactions are difficult to measure, leaving uncertainty about the mechanisms underlying body-size-dependent grazing-and even whether succession occurs at all. We used data from an 8-year camera-trap survey, GPS-collared herbivores, and fecal DNA metabarcoding to analyze the timing, arrival order, and interactions among migratory grazers in Serengeti National Park. Temporal grazing succession is characterized by a "push-pull" dynamic Competitive grazing nudges zebra ahead of co-migrating wildebeest, whereas grass consumption by these large-bodied migrants attracts trailing, small-bodied gazelle that benefit from facilitation. "Natural experiments" involving intense wildfires and rainfall respectively disrupted and strengthened these effects. Our results highlight a balance between facilitative and competitive forces in co-regulating large-scale ungulate migrations.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Antílopes
/
Equidae
/
Migración Animal
/
Herbivoria
/
Parques Recreativos
Límite:
Animals
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sci. (N.Y., N.Y.)
/
Science
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos