RT info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceObject
T1 Scavengers and habitats shape nutrient input to the soil via wild ungulate carcass decomposition
A1 Morales Reyes, Zebensui
A1 Colino-Barea, A.
A1 Sebastián-González, E.
A1 Garcia-Orenes, F.
A1 Moleón, M.
A1 Arcenegui, V.
A1 Mataix-Solera, J.
A1 García-Carmona, M.
A1 Sánchez-Zapata, J. A.
A2 Biología Animal y Edafología y Geología
AB The soil is a dynamic matrix providing essential functions and services for ecosystemsworldwide. Its formation involves complex interactions driven by both abiotic and biotic factors,including the decomposition of organic matter. While research has traditionally focused on plantderivedorganic matter, animal remains also contribute nutrients to the soil, influencingbiogeochemical cycles locally. Wild ungulate carcasses, though unpredictable in time and space,serve as a key resource for a highly structured scavenger community. We aim to understand howscavenger consumption of carcasses mediates nutrient deposition in the soil and how landscapefactors shape this process.Nineteen aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) carcasses were placed and monitored using camera trapsin the Sierra Espuña Regional Park (Murcia, Spain) in areas with open and semi-closed vegetationcover. Using the pictures from the cameras, we identified the scavenger community in eachcarcass and the carcass consumption patterns (i.e., carcass detection and consumption times).Soil samples were also collected at each carcass site both before carcass placement and fivemonths later, and analyzed for physical, chemical, biochemical, and biological properties.Facultative scavengers played the primary role in carcass consumption, with their activity andfunction shaped by vegetation cover. Parallelly, carrion decomposition impacted several soilproperties, highlighting the microbial community structure, key enzymatic activities, and theconcentration of elements essential for primary production. The availability of carrion toscavengers, influenced by habitat configuration, modulates the nutrient input throughdecomposition and its effects on the soil. These findings emphasize the important role of animalorganic matter in soil nutrient cycles and the keystone role of scavengers in ecosystem nutrientpathways.
LK http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/40387
UL http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/40387
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DS Repositorio institucional de la Universidad de La Laguna
RD 27-dic-2024