Functional Traits, Species Diversity and Species Composition of a Neotropical Palm Community Vary in Relation to Forest Age

Abstract

Understanding the factors that shape the diversity and composition of biotic communities in natural and human-modified landscapes remains a key issue in ecology. Here, we evaluate how functional traits, species diversity and community composition of palm species vary in relation to biogeographic variables and forest age in northwest Ecuador. Functional traits capture essential aspects of species’ ecological tradeoffs and roles within an ecosystem, making them useful in determining the ecological consequences of environmental change, but they have not been used as commonly as more traditional metrics of species diversity and community composition. We inventoried palm communities in 965 10 × 10 m plots arrayed in linear transects placed in forests of varying age. Adult palms in forests of younger regeneration stages were characterized by species with greater maximum stem height, greater maximum stem diameter, and solitary stems. The shift in functional features could indicate that shade tolerant palms are more common in old-growth forest. The shift could also reflect the legacy of leaving canopy palms as remnants in areas that were cleared and then allowed to regrow. Moreover, younger forest age was associated with decreased abundance and altered species composition in both juvenile and adult palms, and decreased species richness in adults. These results highlight the importance of retaining intact, old-growth forest to preserve functional and species diversity and highlight the importance of considering multiple aspects of diversity in studies of vegetation communities.

Impact of human foraging on tree diversity, composition, and abundance in a tropical rainforest

“…However, it is worth highlighting that alternative explanations may also explain the observed patterns, or may be acting in tandem with the effects of human foraging (Adnan et al, 2015; Brockerhoff et al, 2017). First, edible and inedible species may have different trait values, especially if traits are linked with edibility (e.g., traits related to tissue density; Lueder et al, 2022; Waddell et al, 2020). If edibility‐related traits also affect dispersal ability or the ability of species to cope with the abiotic environment (as in tissue density traits), then the edible‐inedible comparison may not reflect the effect of humans but that of trait–environment interactions.…”

“…Second, while we classified species as edible based on interviews with local villagers, we cannot discount the role of other animal taxa in dispersing the edible species (Teitelbaum & Mueller, 2019). As data on species traits and interaction networks in the study area are not available, we recommend conducting further study involving abiotic factors and functional traits to validate these findings (Lueder et al, 2022;Waddell et al, 2020).…”

“…However, it is worth highlighting that alternative explanations may also explain the observed patterns, or may be acting in tandem with the effects of human foraging (Adnan et al, 2015;Brockerhoff et al, 2017). First, edible and inedible species may have different trait values, especially if traits are linked with edibility (e.g., traits related to tissue density; Lueder et al, 2022;Waddell et al, 2020).…”

An Overview of Rhodoliths: Ecological Importance and Conservation Emergency

“…Regarding the functional composition of the associated fauna with rhodoliths, few studies have attempted to understand their dynamics and how the external environment may affect them. However, information on functional diversity can lead to a better understanding of the ecological trade-offs and roles of the species within the ecosystem [103], particularly when considering the rhodolith as a micro-ecosystem. Most studies tackling functional aspects have focused on feeding or trophic guilds and interactions [12].…”

Functional diversity along disturbance and environmental gradients in Ethiopian moist Afromontane forest

“…Species diversity is a good proxy for functional diver-sity in tree communities (Whitfeld et al, 2014).Therefore, an integrated taxonomic and functional diversity approach can be used to support environmental assessment, restoration, and conservation planning of biological resources (De et al, 2023). Furthermore, functional traits capture essential aspects of species' ecological tradeoffs and roles within an ecosystem, making them useful in determining the ecological consequences of environmental change, however, they have not been used as commonly as more traditional metrics of species diversity (Lueder et al, 2022).…”