Context-dependent effects of large-wildlife declines on small-mammal communities in central Kenya

摘要: Many species of large wildlife have declined drastically worldwide. These reductions often lead to profound shifts in the ecology entire communities and ecosystems. However, effects these large-wildlife declines on other taxa likely hinge upon both underlying abiotic properties systems types secondary anthropogenic changes associated with loss, making impacts difficult predict. To better understand how important contextual factors determine consequences animals a community, we examined three common forms loss (removal without replacement [using fences], removal followed by domestic stock, accompanied crop agricultural use) small-mammal abundance, diversity, community composition, landscapes that varied several attributes (rainfall, soil fertility, land-use intensity) central Kenya. We found were indeed heavily impacted all decline, showing, average: (1) higher densities, (2) lower richness per site, (3) different assemblages sites from which removed. nature magnitude strongly context dependent. Rainfall, type change, interaction two key predictors responses small mammals. The strongest effects, particularly abundance responses, tended be observed low-rainfall areas. Whereas isolated primarily led increased uses (agriculture, stock) had much more variable stronger diversity composition. Collectively, results highlight importance determining decline communities, emphasize challenges extrapolating controlled experimental studies predict are land-uses, suggest that, because context-dependent status alone cannot reliably used changes.