Weak edge effects on trees in Bornean rainforest remnants bordering oil palm

Anderson, Jake A.; McClean, Colin J.; Sim, Sarah; Pettorelli, Nathalie; Jelling, Ahmad; Tangah, Joseph; Hill, Jane K.

doi:10.1111/btp.13115

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…Edge effects have been shown in other studies not only to lower forest biomass, but also to change community composition ( Anderson et al, 2022 ), and in addition this study contributes that the decline in diversity can be rapid and non-linear across edge gradients, along with supporting the likelihood of changes to community composition lasting decades. This rapid loss of diversity across the edge gradient may be in part due to existing higher yet constant levels of shade limiting shade-intolerant seedling recruitment and/or performance, together with insufficient time for slower-growing shade-tolerant taxa to accumulate significant amounts of biomass.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Habitat edges affect tree diversity more than biomass regeneration in a reforested wet neotropical timber plantation

Medina

Capetz

Johnson³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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About half of all forests are tropical and secondary, making tropical forest regeneration integral to future forests. Tree stand biomass and taxonomic richness can recover in a few decades, but relative abundances may lag indefinitely. Since most forests are within a km of a habitat edge, edge effects likely affect community composition regeneration. However, most studies assess how degraded edges affect intact forests, leaving it unclear whether higher-quality edges could facilitate regeneration of nearby degraded forests. Notably, higher quality edges near intact forests could promote processes like dispersal and wood biomass accumulation that effectively accelerate succession, leading to better performance of shade-tolerant taxa compared to pioneer taxa in the early stages of forested plantation regeneration. This study addressed how wet tropical forested plantation regeneration was affected by distance to adjacent intact forest edge. It was hypothesized that old timber plantations facilitate regeneration by increasing available shade, favoring the presence and biomass of later-successional taxa, ultimately changing community composition overall. A wet neotropical timber plantation reforested after 20 years and adjacent to primary forest was censused for trees along a 300 m edge distance gradient, and analysis matched identified taxa to broad dispersal mode and wood density traits using relevant literature. As distance from primary forest edge increased, stem and wood density tended to increase significantly, with ~10% variation explained, while biomass and canopy light surprisingly tended to stay the same. Stand tree richness also tended to increase significantly, but diversity decreased steeply and non-linearly, explained in part by wood density, and taxonomic composition varied notably. Finally, tree taxa associated with both early and late successional stages decreased significantly, as well as genus Ficus, but biomass by dispersal mode did not tend to change. Overall this study supports that stand composition is less resilient and more subject to edge effects than biomass and richness, suggesting that global forests will likely be distinctly new assemblages in the future, with timber and biodiversity trade-offs occurring based on local and regional management activity.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Habitat edges affect tree diversity more than biomass regeneration in a reforested wet neotropical timber plantation

Medina

Capetz

Johnson³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Although we did indeed note greater richness with DTE, functional diversity did not vary substantially along the distance to edge gradient. However, this finding is perhaps not surprising, given that other studies from tropical forests have likewise failed to find strong edge effects with respect to loss of ecosystem functions such as carbon storage and recovery from disturbance (Anderson et al, 2022; Arroyo‐Rodríguez et al, 2012; Slik et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Bioindicators of edge effects within Atlantic Forest remnants: Conservation implications in a threatened biodiversity hotspot

Sancha

González‐Maya

Boyle

et al. 2023

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Deforestation of the Atlantic Forest of eastern Paraguay has been recent but extensive, resulting in a fragmented landscape highly influenced by forest edges. We examined edge effects on multiple dimensions of small mammalian diversity. Location Forest fragments of eastern Paraguayan Atlantic Forest. Methods We trapped small mammal species at different distances from the forest edge (DTE) in reserves and estimated multiple dimensions of diversity per site. Similarity analysis identified species clusters that best described the patterns of diversity across reserves. Multivariate ordination and linear mixed models were used to determine the influence of DTE on various dimensions of small mammal diversity. Results There was an increase in richness and abundance along a DTE gradient, and remnants with higher edge:area ratios showed higher richness and abundance, independent of remnant size. Species at edges were generalists, open‐habitat species or exotic species (spillover effect). We found higher phylogenetic diversity and functional richness and divergence towards forest edges. Spillover of non‐forest and invasive species best explained richness, generalist forest species best explained total abundance, abundance of Hylaeamys megacephalus best explained diversity and evenness metrics and the presence of Marmosa paraguayana best explained various phylogenetic diversity models. None of the models that included megafauna or social factors were shown to be important in explaining patterns as a function of DTE. Main Conclusions We found strong support for a spillover effect and mixed support for complementary resource use and enhanced habitat resources associated with ecotones. Generalists characterized edge assemblages but not all generalists were equivalent. Edges showed more phylogenetically and functionally distinct assemblages than the interior of remnants. There was a conservation of functional diversity; however, open‐habitat species, habitat generalists and exotic species boosted diversity near forest edges. Mechanisms governing diversity along forest edges are complex; disentangling those mechanisms necessitates the use of multiple dimensions of diversity.

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“…Our results strongly suggest that mammals living in secondary forest fragments are venturing into nearby palm plantations to find resources. We think that a spatial arrangement in which oil-palm plantations are placed adjacent to forest fragments could have several potential benefits for wildlife conservation: (i) it could increase the carrying capacity of small fragments; (ii) it could lessen negative edge effects in forest remnants (Anderson et al, 2022), with plantations acting as a buffer between forest and harsher agricultural covers (e.g., cattle pastures); (iii) it could serve to increase connectivity at the landscape level. The second action is to work with the local community to raise awareness of the importance of mammals for ecosystem function, and to find ways in which they can successfully regulate hunting in the region.…”

Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socioecological Assessment of Mammal Assemblages in Small Oil-Palm Plantations in a Highly Deforested Region in Mexico

Franquesa‐Soler

Ocampo-Saure

Mora

et al. 2023

Tropical Conservation Science

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Background and Research Aims: A great challenge in tropical-forest regions, is to build socioecosystems that ensure both biodiversity conservation and people’s wellbeing. Oil-palm plantations are profitable, but they can have negative impacts on biodiversity. Most information on the impacts of this crop comes from large plantations. However, in some regions, small plantations predominate and lessons derived from the large-estate context may not be applicable. Here, we carried out a socioecological assessment of mammals in small oil-palm plantations in a highly deforested region in Mexico, with the aim of guiding conservation efforts. Methods: We sampled mammals > 0.5 kg in 11 small plantations (<60 ha) with camera traps for 1 year. We assessed the effects of two landscape variables (forest cover, distance to forest) and two plantation variables (area, age). We also interviewed farmers to learn about the presence of mammals in their plantations, and their perceived benefits and/or costs associated to those mammals. Results: We photo-captured 20 species and farmers reported 4 more during interviews. Mammal diversity was negatively related to the plantation’s distance from forest; assemblage composition was associated to all variables except plantation area. The benefits that farmers associated with mammals were mostly utilitarian (e.g., bush meat). Costs perceived as serious were related to the loss of domestic animals and other crops. Conclusion: In a highly deforested region in Mexico, oil-palm plantations can be temporal habitat for some mammal species. By combining ecological and social dimensions we can improve our understanding of the factors that facilitate or hinder the conservation of mammals in agricultural landscapes. Implications for Conservation: We identified two key actions necessary for the long-term conservation of mammals in the study region: (i) protecting secondary forest fragments; (ii) regulating hunting. Involving farmers in the co-design of participatory conservation plans is necessary to ensure long-term success. Resumen Antecedentes y objetivos de la investigación: Un gran desafío en las regiones de bosques tropicales es crear socioecosistemas que aseguren tanto la conservación de la biodiversidad como el bienestar de las personas. Las plantaciones de palma aceitera son rentables, pero pueden tener impactos negativos en la biodiversidad. La mayor parte de la información sobre los impactos de este cultivo proviene de las grandes plantaciones. Sin embargo, los aprendizajes derivados del contexto de las grandes plantaciones podrían no ser aplicables a las regiones donde predominan las plantaciones pequeñas. En este trabajo realizamos una evaluación socioecológica de mamíferos en pequeñas plantaciones de palma aceitera en una región altamente deforestada de México, con el objetivo de orientar los esfuerzos de conservación. Métodos: Muestreamos mamíferos > 0.5 kg en 11 pequeñas plantaciones de palma aceitera (< 60 ha) con cámaras trampa durante 1 año. Evaluamos los efectos de dos variables de paisaje (cobertura forestal, distancia al bosque) y dos variables de la plantación (área, edad). También entrevistamos a los agricultores para conocer la presencia de mamíferos en sus plantaciones y sus percepciones sobre los beneficios y/o costos asociados a esos mamíferos. Resultados: Foto-capturamos 20 especies y los agricultores reportaron 4 más en las entrevistas. La diversidad de mamíferos se relacionó negativamente con la distancia de la plantación al bosque; la composición de los ensambles se asoció con todas las variables, excepto el área de la plantación. Los beneficios que los agricultores asociaron con los mamíferos fueron mayormente utilitarios (e.g., carne de monte). Los costos percibidos como serios, estuvieron relacionados a la pérdida de animales domésticos y otros cultivos. Conclusión: En una región altamente deforestada de México, las plantaciones de palma aceitera pueden ser hábitat temporal para algunas especies de mamíferos. Al combinar las dimensiones ecológica y social, podemos mejorar nuestra comprensión de los factores que facilitan o dificultan la conservación de los mamíferos en los paisajes agrícolas. Implicaciones para la conservación: Identificamos dos acciones claves necesarias para la conservación a largo plazo de los mamíferos en la región de estudio: (i) proteger los fragmentos de bosque secundario; (ii) regular la cacería. Es necesario involucrar a los agricultores en el diseño conjunto de planes de conservación participativos para garantizar el éxito a largo plazo.

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Weak edge effects on trees in Bornean rainforest remnants bordering oil palm

Cited by 5 publications

References 112 publications

Habitat edges affect tree diversity more than biomass regeneration in a reforested wet neotropical timber plantation

Habitat edges affect tree diversity more than biomass regeneration in a reforested wet neotropical timber plantation

Bioindicators of edge effects within Atlantic Forest remnants: Conservation implications in a threatened biodiversity hotspot

Socioecological Assessment of Mammal Assemblages in Small Oil-Palm Plantations in a Highly Deforested Region in Mexico

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