Ecology of the Pembrokeshire Islands: IV. Effects of Treading and Burrowing by Birds and Mammals

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Abstract
Treading of puffins, shearwaters and rabbits restricts number of plant spp. and favors hemicryptophytes, particularly in breeding grounds. Excavation by 3 burrow-dwelling animal spp. initiates numerous secondary seres in which Rumex acetosella is important. Soil erosion at burrow entrances is correlated with aspect. Introduction of air below ground leads to large fluctuations of soil temp. and humidity, accentuating both drought and waterlogging and affecting vegetation most adversely in non-organic soils. Deep-rooted species are relatively resistant to drought and mechanical disturbance and predominate in heavily burrowed regions where shallower-rooted plants tend to dry out. Rumex acetosa, R. acetosella and Armeria maritima are commonest. Armeria and Spergularia rupicola are normally overrun by Festuca rubra on elimination of grazing but can persist if burrowing is severe.