How do sheep affect plant communities and arthropod populations in temperate grasslands

摘要: Grasslands being used in sheep farming systems are managed under a variety of agricultural production, recreational and conservational objectives. Although grazing is rarely considered the best method for delivering conservation objectives seminatural temperate grasslands, literature does not provide unequivocal evidence on impact pasture biodiversity. Our aim was therefore to review impacts stocking rate, period soil fertility plant communities arthropod populations both mesotrophic grasslands typical agriculturally improved areas native communities. We conducted search articles published up end year 2010 using ‘sheep’ ‘grazing’ as keywords, together with variables describing grassland management, community structure or taxa. The filtering process led selection 48 articles, 42 included rate dataset, 9 dataset 10 dataset. meta-analysis did reveal any significant trends species richness evenness along wide gradient. However, we found frequent shifts functional groups abundance that could be explained by properties plants community. confirmed increasing decreased richness. Despite very limited significantly greater autumn-grazed pastures than ungrazed areas, which suggests choosing an appropriate would promising option preserving biodiversity systems. Qualitative indicated low intensity had positive effects Orthoptera, Hemiptera (especially phytophagous Auchenorrhyncha) and, despite diverse range feeding strategies, Coleoptera. Lepidoptera, were favoured more abundant flowering plants, also benefited from intensities. Spider higher grazed pastures. In contrast, there insufficient studies draw firm conclusions benefits late stopping fertilization insect diversity, no grounds including this information decision support tools at stage.