Biodiversity patterns and ecological processes in Neotropical dry forest: the need to connect research and management for long-term conservation

Abstract

Neotropical dry forests are among the most diverse and threatened ecosystems worldwide. The extent and knowledge of Neotropical dry forests are quite heterogeneous with forests located in the Ecuadorian province especially diverse, threatened and poorly studied. In this work, we review patterns and conservation status of biodiversity, ecosystem processes and human perception of tropical dry forest of the Ecuadorian province. We found that patterns of biodiversity, endemism and conservation status are generally poorly studied. Overall, these forests provide habitat for at least 900 species including trees, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. On average 18% of these species (range 6-25%) are endemic to the region and 25% (3-50%) are recognized as threatened. Little is known about groups such as invertebrates, fish, fungi, or herbaceous plants, and as well as about processes generating and maintaining critical ecosystem functions. Available literature points out the importance of positive ecological interactions such us plant-frugivore and plant-plant facilitation interactions in maintaining the regeneration dynamics of these forests. Faced by the formative state of knowledge about basic biodiversity patterns and ecological functions, the implementation of ecosystem risk assessment under the IUCN criteria for the Red List of Ecosystems may offer constructive means to organize, integrate and advance existing knowledge and conservation priorities for dry forests of the Ecuadorian province. With examples of existing conflicts between people and protected areas, we emphasize the importance of consultation and involvement of local communities in the development of conservation measures including new protected areas. Lastly, we reflect on some encouraging examples where ecosystem goods and services provided by these forests may be used in a sustainable manner, contributing to local communities' income and preserving biodiversity. In this regard, we highlight how the interaction between research and innovation together with local management may lead to sustainable development and, thus, encourage these sectors to work together for the conservation of dry forests of the Ecuadorian province.

Dry forest is more threatened but less protected than evergreen forest in Ecuador’s coastal region

“…Despite their unique value in terms of biodiversity, anthropogenic factors continue to degrade these already highly threatened and fragile dry forests. Since the evergreen forests have received more attention from researchers and natural resources managers, conservation efforts should now be more focused on the preservation of the remaining dry ecosystems, protecting them as part of a more complex regional conservation plan in which sustainable exploitation by the local communities improves their income and preserves biodiversity (Escribano-Avila et al 2017). This plan is vital to preventing continued anthropogenic habitat loss, partly due to a lack of protection, and the establishment of new PA networks should also ensure the connectivity of these ecosystems due to their high levels of fragmentation.…”

Las cabras como dispersores de semillas: aportes y limitaciones para la regeneración del bosque tropical estacionalmente seco de Ecuador

“…La crianza de cabras basada en el forrajeo libre dentro de los remanentes de BTES del Neotrópico es una actividad practicada durante décadas, por lo que comprender sus posibles efectos sobre procesos ecológicos es fundamental para desarrollar acciones de conservación (Escribano et al, 2017). Múltiples estudios han evaluado el rol de las cabras como dispersores, haciendo especial énfasis en el paso de las semillas por el tracto digestivo (Miller, 1995;Kneuper et al, 2003;Baraza & Valiente-Banuet, 2008;Mancilla-Leytón et al, 2015;Tjelele, Ward, & Dziba, 2015).…”

Monitoring and predictive mapping of floristic biodiversity along a climatic gradient in ENSO's terrestrial core region, NW Peru

“…TDFs are characterized by a high rate of endemism and feature an outstanding biodiversity which is almost as high as that of humid tropical forests (Espinosa et al 2011, Pennington et al 2018). At the same time, they are the most threatened tropical ecosystem (Miles et al 2006), and in general chronically understudied (Escribano‐Avila et al 2017, Muenchow et al 2018). Despite their unique biodiversity and threatened status, the TDFs of NW Peru are vastly understudied, and the spatio‐temporal effect of extreme events like El Niño or La Niña episodes on the biodiversity patterns in this ecosystem remains largely unknown.…”