![]() ![]() Through live traps and camera traps, we obtained data on the presence-absence of mammals per tree to estimate diversity indices. Prosopis trees under different land management types were selected and their deadwood characteristics were registered. For plants, changes in structural diversity were also analyzed. ![]() Our study aimed to assess changes in taxonomic and functional diversity of two assemblages, plants and mammals, in Prosopis woodlands under different land management types: grazed woodlands and a protected area. In arid and semiarid woodlands, the use of deadwood associated with cattle raising can affect biodiversity and Nature’s contributions to people. ![]() Nevertheless, ecological indicators not always responded in the same way to disturbances, and the responses can differ among taxa. The ecological indicators are useful tools to determine the effects of human disturbances on woodland biodiversity. Our results indicate that sustainable management strategies are necessary to prevent the further degradation of these ecosystems. Goats acted as a habitat filter, increasing functional convergence and promoting the establishment of exotics plants, which can lead to further losses of biodiversity, decreased ecosystem function and overall lower ecosystem stability. ![]() We found that goat grazing affected diversity, and community composition, leading to taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic biotic homogenization, and causing overall community impoverishment. We also reconstructed a phylogeny of all plant species found at the study site and determined the phylogenetic structure of the plant community in ungrazed and grazed areas. As a measure of functional diversity, we recorded plant growth‐form, life‐span and life‐form. Loss of functional and/or phylogenetic diversity can result in important losses in ecosystem function. By integrating analyses of the impact of goat grazing on functional and phylogenetic diversity and dispersion, we studied the mechanisms behind goat impact, and the potential consequences. In this study, we evaluated the effects of goat grazing on plant taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic community structure by comparing 39‐yr‐old grazing exclusion plots and unprotected plots in an arid shrubland from north‐central Chile. Since the vegetation has a relatively short evolutionary history of grazing, it is expected to be highly susceptible to this activity. In the arid ecosystems of north‐central Chile, unregulated goat grazing is widespread. However, lack of adequate regulation of ranching activities can lead to the degradation of plant communities, which in turn can impact ecosystem functioning. Livestock production is an important activity in drylands. ![]()
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