The effect of twice-over rotational cattle grazing on the ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and spiders (Araneae) on the Yellow Quill Mixed Grass Prairie Preserve

Abstract

The Yellow Quill Mixed Grass Prairie Preserve is a remnant of an endangered community that is located in southwestern Manitoba and owned by The Nature Conservancy of Canada. In 2005 and 2006, this study was conducted to investigate the effect that the currently-practiced twice-over rotational cattle grazing regime is having on the carabid beetles and spiders. This study primarily compared grazed and ungrazed treatments on three paddocks. A secondary experiment investigated whether the spring graze, fall graze, or the combination of the two had the greatest impact on the carabids and spiders. Three periods were examined in three periods each season: before grazing had begun, after the spring graze, and after the fall graze. A total of 81 species of carabids and 156 species of spiders were recorded, including potentially new provincial records (two carabid species and 20 spider species). Seventy two species of plants were recorded in the study.