Post on 10-Jan-2017
Surviving the dry: one species' bust is another species' boom
Aaron C. Greenville, Glenda M. Wardle and Chris R. DickmanDesert Ecology Research Group
School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Sydney
@AarontheEcolog
Booms and Busts
Greenville et al. (2014). Oecologia 175, 1349-1358.
Photo by Bobby Tamayo
Sandy inland mouse, Ps. hermannsburgensis, 12 g
Greenville et al. (2016). Ecosphere 7, e01343.
Ctenotus pantherinus
Lerista labialis
Ctenophorus isolepis* Ctenophorus nuchalis
Greenville et al. (2016) Oecologia 182, 475-85.
Ctenotus dux*
Ctenotus ariadnae*
* Photograph courtesy of B. Tamayo
Abiotic: Wildfire• Wildfire area:
– Two years of cumulative rainfall before a fire event.– Rainfall in year of fire.– The mean Southern Oscillation Index from June to November in the year
before a fire.
Greenville et al. (2009). International Journal of Wildland Fire 18, 631–639.
Biotic: Predators
Greenville et al. (2014). Oecologia 175, 1349-1358.
Dominant predator
Subo
rdin
ate
pred
ator
Boom
Decline
Bust
Top-down
Dominant predator
Subo
rdin
ate
pred
ator
Bust
Decline
Boom
Bottom-up Decline/Bust
Boom
+
Dominant predator
Subo
rdin
ate
pred
ator
Bust
Decline
Boom
Bottom-up & top-down Interaction
+
Threats:
Threats: climate changeP < 0.05
1890 1920 1950 1980 2010
50180
310
440
570
700
Glenormiston
Year
Ann
ual R
ainf
all (
mm
)
Greenville et al. (2012). Ecology and Evolution 2, 2645-2658.
1890 1920 1950 1980 2010
1415
1617
1819
Boulia
Year
Ann
ual m
inim
um te
mpe
ratu
re (°
C)
Threats: loss of drought refugia
Wardle et al. (2015). Austral Ecology 40, 444–459.Dickman et al. (2011). Journal of Mammalogy, 92, 1193–1209.
IUCN Ecosystem assessment: vulnerable
Wardle et al. (2015) Austral Ecology 40, 444–459.Frank et al. (2014). Ecological Applications 24, 2013–2028.Frank (2012). The Rangeland Journal 34, 319–328.
Anke Frank Anke Frank
Conclusions
• Counterintuitive set of biotic and abiotic processes operate.
• Diverse assemblages persist.
Acknowledgements• Bobby Tamayo, Dave Nelson, Chin-Liang Beh and the DERG team.• All our volunteers.• Bush Heritage Australia.• Bedourie Hotel.• ARC, LTERN, TERN, APA and Paddy Pallin Science Grant.
Volunteer info: www.desertecology.edu.auFor more: www.AarontheEcolog.wordpress.com
@AarontheEcolog