Context Land degradation from mining influences biodiversity and ecosystem
functioning. However, comparative studies using small mammal functional groups
within rehabilitated mining sites are missing, despite their significant
ecological contributions. ObjectivesWe investigated the recovery of small mammals according to their
trophic guild and terrestriality in restored mining sites and analyzed whether
they were influenced by restoration scheme (active or passive), restoration
time, mineral type, body mass and invasive species. We were especially
interested in whether functional groups showed different recovery patterns
across time. MethodsWe classified small mammals into functional groups according to
trophic levels distinguishing carnivores, herbivores and omnivores, and
according to their terrestriality categorized as above ground-dwelling (AGD) and
fossorial and/or ground-dwelling individuals (FGD). We studied small mammal
recovery globally following restoration of mining sites based on a meta-analysis
using effect sizes. Influences of environmental variables were investigated with
linear mixed models using effect sizes as response variable. ResultsWe did not find significant differences for restoration scheme and
time but we did for mineral type, body mass and invasive species in terms of
population (abundance) recovery. Trajectories of functional group recoveries
differed: FGD and herbivores quickly recovered after mining activities stopped,
but declined later, whereas AGD, carnivores and omnivores recovered within the
first few years or decades. ConclusionsOur results highlight the different vulnerability of functional
groups, and the importance of considering this in conservation
interventions. |