Human perturbations reduce dung beetle diversity and dung removal ecosystem function

Abstract

Biodiversity drives ecological functioning, ultimately providing ecosystem services.Ecosystem processes are favored by greater functional diversity, particularly when groups of functionally different species interact synergistically. Many of such functions are performed by insects, among which dung beetles stand out for their important role in dung decomposition. However, anthropogenic disturbances are negatively affecting their ecological dynamics and ecosystem services. We conducted a manipulative field study to evaluate the effect of human disturbance on dung beetle diversity (abundance, species richness, and functional group richness) and dung removal rates, comparing perturbed and conserved forests in three regions of Colombia (Caribbean, Andes, and Amazon). We also assess the relationship between dung beetle diversity and dung removal rates. Dung beetle diversity was assessed using pitfall traps, and specimens were measured and assigned to functional groups according to body size and dung relocation strategy. We used exclusion control units and experimental units to assess dung degradation with and without dung beetle activity and evaluate differences in removal rates between two dung removal strategies: paracoprids and telecoprids. Dung removal rates, abundance, and functional group richness were lower in perturbed forests compared to conserved forests. Dung removal increased with abundance, species richness, and functional group richness. Moreover, dung removal performed by telecoprids increased with species richness of telecoprids and

Functional responses to anthropogenic disturbance and the importance of selected traits: A study case using dung beetles

“…Previous studies with dung beetles showed that natural environment replacement reduces both taxonomic and functional dung beetle diversity (Audino et al, 2014;Barragán et al, 2011;Bogoni et al, 2016;Giménez G omez, Verdú, Guerra Alonso, & Zurita, 2018;G omez-Cifuentes et al, 2017;Guerra et al, 2019;Hernández et al, 2014). In addition to the reduction in dung beetle diversity, previous studies also observed a reduction in ecosystem functions performed by dung beetles (G omez-Cifuentes et al, 2020;Noriega et al, 2021;Tonelli et al, 2019), for example, less burial of organic matter in highly disturbed environments (G omez-Cifuentes et al, 2020). Therefore, environmental disturbance affects both dung beetle diversity and the ecosystem functions they perform.…”

Primary forest loss and degradation reduces biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: A global meta‐analysis using dung beetles as an indicator taxon

“…This scenario could be contributing to the differential response of dung beetles between degraded primary forest, secondary forest, forestry plantations and forestry restoration located in different geographical areas of interest for biodiversity conservation. For example, secondary forest has shown a variety of responses between Neotropical and Oriental regions, from severe reductions to positive responses on species richness, abundance or ecological functions, relative to undisturbed primary forest controls (see Andresen, 2008; Braga et al, 2013; Edwards et al, 2014; Gardner et al, 2008; Noriega et al, 2021).…”

“…anthropogenic disturbance, ecological indicators, ecosystems functions, forest recovery, functional groups, hotspots, Scarabaeidae, vegetation cover loss regions, from severe reductions to positive responses on species richness, abundance or ecological functions, relative to undisturbed primary forest controls (see Andresen, 2008;Braga et al, 2013;Edwards et al, 2014;Gardner et al, 2008;Noriega et al, 2021).…”

Efecto de la cobertura vegetal en escarabajos coprófagos (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) y sus funciones ecológicas en un bosque andino de Colombia

“…El cambio en la cobertura vegetal se asoció con una disminución en todas las variables de respuesta que medimos (con excepción de la longitud ponderada). Nuestros resultados coinciden con los de varios estudios en paisajes montañosos neotropicales (Escobar, 2004;Giraldo et al, 2011;Horgan, 2005;Medina et al, 2002;Noriega et al, 2021). Los cambios más evidentes se observaron en la cobertura vegetal más alterada, es decir en los potreros.…”

“…Los escarabajos coprófagos son un grupo muy usado como taxón focal en estudios que evalúan el efecto de las perturbaciones antropogénicas (Carvalho et al, 2020;Noriega et al, 2021). Sin embargo, los estudios enfocados a la importancia ecológica de los escarabajos coprófagos son relativamente menos frecuentes en ecosistemas con altas tasas de endemismo, como los bosques andinos (Davies et al, 2020;López-Aguirre et al, 2018;Pyrcz et al, 2016).…”