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Forest loss and matrix composition are the major drivers shaping dung beetle assemblages in a fragmented rainforest

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Abstract

Context

Identifying the drivers shaping biological assemblages in fragmented tropical landscapes is critical for designing effective conservation strategies. It is still unclear, however, whether tropical biodiversity is more strongly affected by forest loss, by its spatial configuration or by matrix composition across different spatial scales.

Objectives

Assessing the relative influence of forest patch and landscape attributes on dung beetle assemblages in the fragmented Lacandona rainforest, Mexico.

Methods

Using a multimodel inference approach we tested the relative impact of forest patch size and landscape forest cover (measures of forest amount at the patch and landscape scales, respectively), patch shape and isolation (forest configuration indices at the patch scale), forest fragmentation (forest configuration index at the landscape scale), and matrix composition on the diversity, abundance and biomass of dung beetles.

Results

Patch size, landscape forest cover and matrix composition were the best predictors of dung beetle assemblages. Species richness, beetle abundance, and biomass decreased in smaller patches surrounded by a lower percentage of forest cover, and in landscapes dominated by open-area matrices. Community evenness also increased under these conditions due to the loss of rare species.

Conclusions

Forest loss at the patch and landscape levels and matrix composition show a larger impact on dung beetles than forest spatial configuration. To preserve dung beetle assemblages, and their key functional roles in the ecosystem, conservation initiatives should prioritize a reduction in deforestation and an increase in the heterogeneity of the matrix surrounding forest remnants.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the insightful comments and suggestions provided by the Subject Editor (Dr. Jochen Krauss) and two anonymous reviewers. This research was funded by the Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT), DGAPA-UNAM (Projects IA-203111 and IB-200812). H.A.S.J. obtained a scholarship from the CONACyT, Mexico to make her MSc studies in the Posgrado en Ciencias Biologicas, UNAM. The Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad (UNAM) provided logical support. H. Ferreira, A. Palencia and A. López provided technical support, and A. Navarrete provided the SPOT images. C. Dobler digitized the maps, F. Escobar helped in the identification of specimens and S. Nicasio-Arzeta elaborated the Fig. 1. H.A.S.J. is grateful to Audón Jamangapé for his invaluable field assistance. We are indebted to the local people of the Marqués de Comillas region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Ex-Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, 58190, Morelia, MICH, Mexico

    Hilda A. Sánchez-de-Jesús, Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez & Ellen Andresen

  2. Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología, A. C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec no. 351, El Haya, 91000, Xalapa, VER, Mexico

    Federico Escobar

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  1. Hilda A. Sánchez-de-Jesús
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  2. Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez
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  3. Ellen Andresen
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  4. Federico Escobar
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Correspondence to Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez.

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Sánchez-de-Jesús, H.A., Arroyo-Rodríguez, V., Andresen, E. et al. Forest loss and matrix composition are the major drivers shaping dung beetle assemblages in a fragmented rainforest. Landscape Ecol 31, 843–854 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-015-0293-2

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