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European rabbits as ecosystem engineers: warrens increase lizard density and diversity

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Abstract

Mammals that build extensive open burrow systems are often classified as ecosystem engineers, since they have the potential to modulate the availability of resources for themselves and other organisms. Lizards may benefit from the heterogeneity created by these structures, especially if coupled with an increased offer of sites for refuge and thermoregulation. However, information about these engineering effects by burrowing animals is scarce. We investigated the influence of European rabbit burrows on several parameters of a Mediterranean lizard community (abundance, density, diversity and body condition) in three different habitats (open pastures, holm oak and scrub patches). We found that lizards were positively associated with burrows, and that burrows determined lizard presence at otherwise unfavourable habitats. Moreover, community parameters such as density and species richness were higher in sites with burrows. Burrows influenced lizard species in different ways, and were also relevant for other Mediterranean vertebrates, as revealed by questionnaires to experts. We also explored the possible resources provided by burrows for lizards. Warrens offer relatively abundant prey and appropriate retreat sites for refuge and thermoregulation. Warrens may have further implications within the ecosystem, acting as stepping stones, allowing lizards to reach otherwise inaccessible habitat patches. This study shows that European rabbit warrens have a positive influence on lizard density and diversity, and confirms the role of rabbits as ecosystem engineers. This reinforces the need for appropriate conservation measures for rabbits, especially given their threatened status in the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, our study highlights that taking into account the influence of engineering activities increases our awareness of species interactions, and may translate into more adequate conservation measures for the preservation of biodiversity.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Gonzalo García, Alberto González, Carlota Martínez and Itziar Rodríguez for their help with fieldwork. Thanks to all the experts that replied to our questionnaires; and thanks to Luis Cayuela and two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments on a previous version of this manuscript. This study was funded by projects REN2000-0783/GLO and REN 2003-05553/GLO, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología. Lucía Gálvez Bravo was supported by a FPI grant from the Comunidad de Madrid throughout the duration of this study.

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  1. Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Alcalá. Edif. de Ciencias, Campus Universitario. Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.600, 28871, Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain

    Lucía Gálvez Bravo, Josabel Belliure & Salvador Rebollo

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  1. Lucía Gálvez Bravo
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  2. Josabel Belliure
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Correspondence to Lucía Gálvez Bravo.

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Gálvez Bravo, L., Belliure, J. & Rebollo, S. European rabbits as ecosystem engineers: warrens increase lizard density and diversity. Biodivers Conserv 18, 869–885 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-008-9438-9

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