Rodent burrow network dynamics under human‐induced landscape transformation from desert to steppe in Kalmykian rangelands

摘要: Rodents play an important role in rangelands through the engineering of extensive burrow systems, which provides key habitats for many animal and plant species. We have analyzed long-term variation abundance distribution rodent burrows grazing ecosystems southern Russia (Kalmykia) under landscape change from desert to steppe caused by drastic reduction livestock after collapse USSR early 1990s. conducted surveys "desert" (1980) "steppe" (2017) periods on 19 3-km transects. found considerable changes distribution, as well evidence habitat fragmentation isolation expansion tall-grass communities. Burrows open-dwelling diurnal ground squirrel (Spermophilus pygmaeus), dominant keystone species during period, almost completely disappeared network 2017, indicating significant loss. In contrast, folivorous social vole (Microtus socialis) was rare 1980s, became abundant ubiquitously distributed. The density desert-dwelling psammophilous midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus) decreased, while distances between occupied patches increased, loss population connectivity. tamarisk gerbils (M. tamariscinus) were recorded only sporadically both 1980 2017. observed network, component ecosystems, correlate with ecology can consequences ecosystem functioning.