Article
Ecology
J. M. Diaz-Garcia, Fabiola Lopez-Barrera, Tarin Toledo-Aceves, Ellen Andresen, Claudia E. Moreno, Eduardo Pineda
Summary: Forest restoration practices have increased globally, benefiting biodiversity conservation. However, our understanding of the variation in ecosystem functioning recovery remains limited, and few studies have compared the functional diversity of contrasting faunal assemblages. This study assessed how the functional diversities and functional redundancies of amphibian, ant, and dung beetle assemblages vary among forests of the same age under different restoration strategies. The study found that functional diversity and redundancy were similar between active and passive restoration, but some attributes of functional diversity did not reach the values of the reference ecosystem. Environmental variables related to functional diversity varied depending on the taxonomic group and metric used.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jose D. Rivera, Alejandro Espinosa de los Monteros, Pedro Giovani da Silva, Mario E. Favila
Summary: Understanding how human-modified landscapes affect the phylogenetic composition and assembly mechanisms of biological communities is critical for effectively managing and restoring tropical ecosystems. In a protected but highly fragmented tropical landscape, we evaluated how forest coverage loss, fragmentation, and landscape heterogeneity affect the phylogenetic diversity and assembly mechanisms of dung beetles.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Roberta Souza de Moura, Jorge Ari Noriega, Ricardo Augusto Serpa Cerboncini, Fernando Zagury Vaz-de-Mello, Louri Klemann Junior
Summary: Selective logging in the central Brazilian Amazon Forest was found to have no irreversible impact on dung beetle diversity. Time after logging and seasonality significantly affected species richness and assemblage structure of dung beetles.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robert W. Davies, David P. Edwards, Claudia A. Medina-Uribe, Johann S. Cardenas-Bautista, Torbjorn Haugaasen, James J. Gilroy, Felicity A. Edwards
Summary: A study conducted in the Colombian Llanos region found that functional diversity and richness of dung beetles in oil palm plantations were higher than in cattle pastures, with no difference compared to remnant forest. Prioritizing agricultural development on low-yielding cattle pastures can have positive effects on functional diversity, but forest protection remains crucial.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nastasia Boul Lefeuvre, Nadine Keller, Pauline Plagnat-Cantoreggi, Elia Godoong, Anne Dray, Christopher David Philipson
Summary: The study shows that no matter the spatial and social demographics, community members consider clean water, clean air, temperature regulation, flood and erosion prevention to be the most important ecosystem services. Prioritization of other ecosystem services varies based on age, gender, ethnicity, dependence on forest resources, and proximity to the forest. Community members' priorities for ecosystem services align with the ecological literature that these services are retained by logged forests.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Nadine Keller, Ilja van Meerveld, Jaboury Ghazoul, Li Yuen Chiew, Christopher D. Philipson, Elia Godoong, Eleanor M. Slade
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of dung beetle tunnelling on infiltration and macropore creation in tropical forest soils in Sabah. The presence of dung beetles increased the steady-state infiltration rate, with statistically significant differences among treatments only after 10 days.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Luis Javier Fuentes-Jacques, Renato Portela Saloma, Jose D. Rivera-Duarte, Leonardo Vilas-Boas M. P. De Cerqueira, Mario E. Favila
Summary: This study presents new records of uncommon diets of dung beetles in the Caatinga dry forest, including the use and removal of seeds, attraction to dead millipedes, and use of animal fur for feeding or breeding. These findings indicate that dung beetles in Caatinga display diverse feeding habits in response to extreme environmental conditions and limited resources.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
G. Asha, K. Manoj, T. P. Rajesh, Sangeetha Varma, U. Prashanth Ballullaya, Palatty Allesh Sinu
Summary: This study investigated the impact of urbanization on dung beetle diversity in habitats of different structures. The results showed that dung beetle abundance, richness, and diversity were higher in urban landscapes compared to sacred groves and home gardens. Tunnellers and rollers were affected by urbanization, while dwellers were not affected. These findings suggest that urbanization may have a greater impact on the biodiversity of native forests.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Andres Gomez-Cifuentes, Ana Munevar, Gustavo Zurita
Summary: Dung beetles play a critical role in maintaining soil quality in the dry Chaco region, with higher abundance and species richness observed in shrub savannas compared to native forests.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rosie Drinkwater, Joseph Williamson, Elizabeth L. Clare, Arthur Y. C. Chung, Stephen J. Rossiter, Eleanor Slade
Summary: Dung beetles offer potential benefits as samplers of vertebrate DNA, as they can be easily captured, are globally distributed, and occur in a wide range of habitats. The ability to successfully amplify vertebrate DNA from dung beetle iDNA samples was demonstrated in Southeast Asian vertebrate fauna, showcasing the potential for future biodiversity monitoring surveys.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jennifer A. Sheridan, Pablo Vazquez-Garcia, Anthony Karolus, Muhammad Haziq Bin Rosman, Paul Yambun
Summary: The study found that primary forests are the best habitat for anurans in Sabah, with higher species richness, population size, and individual body size, mass, and body condition compared to agricultural and secondary forest areas.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose D. Rivera, Alejandro Espinosa de los Monteros, Romeo A. Saldana-Vazquez, Mario E. Favila
Summary: Anthropogenic activities drive tropical forest loss and biodiversity decay. This study investigates how the biodiversity response varies between disturbance-adapted species and those highly susceptible to disturbance, and whether such responses differ between taxonomic, functional, or phylogenetic diversity. Using dung beetles as model organisms, the researchers found that disturbance led to decreases in all dimensions of dung beetle diversity, with phylogenetic diversity showing the highest losses. However, second-growth forests and agroforestry systems mitigated diversity loss and homogenization processes, highlighting their importance for conservation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Debora C. Rother, Igor L. F. Sousa, Eliana Gressler, Ana P. Liboni, Vinicius C. Souza, Ricardo R. Rodrigues, L. Patricia Morellato
Summary: Plant phenology is important in selecting species for restoration actions. Evaluating the potential flowering and fruiting phenology can help reestablish ecological interactions and functions, determine suitable species for target sites, and identify when and where locally adapted seeds can be obtained. Comparing phenological patterns between restored areas and forest fragments in Southeastern Brazil showed similarities in general potential flowering and fruiting periods, with slight differences in seasonality. Using phenological information is essential for successful restoration of ecosystem functions and species interactions.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anand Nainar, Rory P. D. Walsh, Kawi Bidin, Nobuaki Tanaka, Kogila Vani Annammala, Umeswaran Letchumanan, Robert M. Ewers, Glen Reynolds
Summary: This study investigates the impact of different land uses on water resources in tropical areas. The research finds that the headwater catchment with primary forest has the highest baseflow magnitude, while the catchment with oil palm plantation has the lowest baseflow magnitude. Furthermore, the study suggests that higher levels of disturbance lead to lower baseflow persistence.
Review
Ecology
Indradatta deCastro-Arrazola, Nigel R. Andrew, Matty P. Berg, Alva Curtsdotter, Jean-Pierre Lumaret, Rosa Menendez, Marco Moretti, Beatrice Nervo, Elizabeth S. Nichols, Francisco Sanchez-Pinero, Ana M. C. Santos, Kimberly S. Sheldon, Eleanor M. Slade, Joaquin Hortal
Summary: Traits play a crucial role in understanding the environmental responses and ecological roles of organisms. A framework for the study of the functional ecology of animals from a trait-based response-effect approach is proposed using dung beetles as a model system. Dung beetles show trait-based responses to various environmental factors and their influence on ecosystem processes includes nutrient cycling, bioturbation, plant growth, seed dispersal, and parasite transmission. The framework identifies 66 dung beetle traits and 136 trait-response and 77 trait-effect relationships, providing a foundation for further development of trait-based dung beetle ecology.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Nadine Keller, Ilja van Meerveld, Jaboury Ghazoul, Li Yuen Chiew, Christopher D. Philipson, Elia Godoong, Eleanor M. Slade
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of dung beetle tunnelling on infiltration and macropore creation in tropical forest soils in Sabah. The presence of dung beetles increased the steady-state infiltration rate, with statistically significant differences among treatments only after 10 days.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Li Yuen Chiew, Talya D. Hackett, Jedediah F. Brodie, Shu Woan Teoh, David F. R. P. Burslem, Glen Reynolds, Nicolas J. Deere, Charles S. Vairappan, Eleanor M. Slade
Summary: This study investigated the changes in a commensalist network of mammals and dung beetles across an environmental disturbance gradient. It found that mammal diversity remained high across the gradient, while dung beetle species richness declined in response to lower above-ground carbon density. The interaction networks remained structurally and functionally similar, only becoming simplified in the most disturbed sites. Protecting logged and fragmented forests is important for maintaining interaction networks and preventing extinction cascades in human-modified systems.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ross E. J. Gray, Luisa F. Rodriguez, Owen T. Lewis, Arthur Y. C. Chung, Otso Ovaskainen, Eleanor M. Slade
Summary: The study in Malaysian Borneo found that some dung beetle species showed a preference for riparian buffer forest over oil palm, highlighting the importance of forested areas in oil palm landscapes for forest-dependent species. The simulation results indicated that loss of riparian buffers in oil palm plantations would decrease movement by forest-dependent species. The study also demonstrated the applicability of Joint Species Movement Modelling (JSMM) framework in assessing species movement behavior in fragmented landscapes, providing a vital tool for future forest and landscape management and conservation prioritization.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
J. M. Parrett, E. M. Slade, R. J. Knell
Summary: When competition between males for mates is intense, some males may adopt alternative tactics for acquiring fertilizations, including developing into multiple morphs to cope with sperm competition. A study on the dung beetle species Proagoderus watanabei found that males exhibit trimorphism in traits such as weapon features and testes investment, indicating different levels of sperm competition risk among alpha, beta, and gamma males in the species.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Nicolas J. Deere, Jake E. Bicknell, Simon L. Mitchell, Aqilah Afendy, Esther L. Baking, Henry Bernard, Arthur Y. C. Chung, Robert M. Ewers, Herry Heroin, Nellcy Joseph, Owen T. Lewis, Sarah H. Luke, Sol Milne, Arman Hadi Fikri, Jonathan M. Parrett, Melissa Payne, Stephen J. Rossiter, Charles S. Vairappan, Chaw Vi Vian, Clare L. Wilkinson, Joseph Williamson, Andrew B. H. Wong, Eleanor M. Slade, Zoe G. Davies, Matthew J. Struebig
Summary: Agricultural expansion is a major cause of biodiversity decline in tropical forest regions, making it important to understand the conservation value of remnant forests in production landscapes. Research in a tropical landscape dominated by oil palm found that buffer width along rivers is a key factor influencing species richness and abundance, with wider buffers needed to safeguard most species. Increasing relatively narrow buffers can lead to the largest biodiversity gains, highlighting the need for tailored conservation efforts in tropical production landscapes.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joseph Williamson, Enoch Teh, Tommaso Jucker, Matilda Brindle, Emma Bush, Arthur Y. C. Chung, Jonathan Parrett, Owen T. Lewis, Stephen J. Rossiter, Eleanor M. Slade
Summary: The study found that the response of different dung beetle species to temperature is related to their critical thermal maxima, with similar patterns observed at the community level. Increased body size and decreased pilosity are associated with higher temperatures, while a complex relationship exists between cuticle lightness and temperature.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Indradatta deCastro-Arrazola, Nigel R. Andrew, Matty P. Berg, Alva Curtsdotter, Jean-Pierre Lumaret, Rosa Menendez, Marco Moretti, Beatrice Nervo, Elizabeth S. Nichols, Francisco Sanchez-Pinero, Ana M. C. Santos, Kimberly S. Sheldon, Eleanor M. Slade, Joaquin Hortal
Summary: Traits play a crucial role in understanding the environmental responses and ecological roles of organisms. A framework for the study of the functional ecology of animals from a trait-based response-effect approach is proposed using dung beetles as a model system. Dung beetles show trait-based responses to various environmental factors and their influence on ecosystem processes includes nutrient cycling, bioturbation, plant growth, seed dispersal, and parasite transmission. The framework identifies 66 dung beetle traits and 136 trait-response and 77 trait-effect relationships, providing a foundation for further development of trait-based dung beetle ecology.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Lindsay F. Banin, Elizabeth H. Raine, Lucy M. Rowland, Robin L. Chazdon, Stuart W. Smith, Nur Estya Binte Rahman, Adam Butler, Christopher Philipson, Grahame G. Applegate, E. Petter Axelsson, Sugeng Budiharta, Siew Chin Chua, Mark E. J. Cutler, Stephen Elliott, Elva Gemita, Elia Godoong, Laura L. B. Graham, Robin M. Hayward, Andy Hector, Ulrik Ilstedt, Joel Jensen, Srinivasan Kasinathan, Christopher J. Kettle, Daniel Lussetti, Benjapan Manohan, Colin Maycock, Kang Min Ngo, Michael J. O'Brien, Anand M. Osuri, Glen Reynolds, Yap Sauwai, Stefan Scheu, Mangarah Silalahi, Eleanor M. Slade, Tom Swinfield, David A. Wardle, Charlotte Wheeler, Kok Loong Yeong, David F. R. P. Burslem
Summary: This study assesses the contribution of tree planting to ecosystem restoration in tropical and sub-tropical Asia. The mortality rate of planted trees was found to be 18% after one year, increasing to 44% after five years. Active restoration resulted in faster accumulation of tree basal area, but tree species richness did not differ compared to natural regeneration. Planting for restoration is potentially rewarding but risky and context-dependent.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jake E. Bicknell, Jesse R. O'Hanley, Paul R. Armsworth, Eleanor M. Slade, Nicolas J. Deere, Simon L. Mitchell, David Hemprich-Bennett, Victoria Kemp, Stephen J. Rossiter, Owen T. Lewis, David A. Coomes, Agnes L. Agama, Glen Reynolds, Matthew J. Struebig, Zoe G. Davies
Summary: Agricultural expansion is the main factor leading to ecological degradation in the tropics. This study shows that targeted set-asides, especially alongside rivers, can increase biodiversity and ecosystem services without reducing the net cultivated area.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tharaka S. Priyadarshana, Myung-Bok Lee, Eleanor M. Slade, Eben Goodale
Summary: Previous studies have suggested preserving semi-natural habitats to control agricultural pests. However, non-crop habitats may increase pest abundance. This study investigated whether increasing crop diversity and field margin length could reduce the abundance of Pieris canidia, a major agricultural pest butterfly in Asia.
BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rafaella Maciel, Rodrigo Fagundes Braga, Raquel L. L. Carvalho, Julio Louzada, Eleanor M. M. Slade
Summary: The conversion of tropical savanna into exotic pastures negatively affects the taxonomic and functional metrics of communities and dung removal. However, the relationship between dung removal and functional richness is higher in pastures compared to savanna.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Tharaka S. S. Priyadarshana, Eleanor M. M. Slade
Summary: Dragonfly/damselfly naiads can control mosquitoes and the diseases they carry by predating on mosquito larvae. Through a meta-analysis of 31 studies, it was found that a single dragonfly/damselfly naiad can eat an average of 40 mosquito larvae per day, leading to a reduction of 45% in the mosquito larval population. This study provides strong evidence for the effectiveness of dragonflies/damselflies as biological control agents for mosquitoes.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Mickal Y. I. Houadria, Giulio Barone, Tom M. Fayle, Thomas Schmitt, Petr Konik, Heike Feldhaar
Summary: Some plant-ant mutualistic relationships involve ants relying solely on plant-provided food, leading to greater efficiency in defending their host. The rejection of prey items and dependency on plant-provided food was observed across multiple plant host species, suggesting a beneficial behavior for the symbiotic relationship.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jedediah F. Brodie, Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan, Cheng Chen, Oliver R. Wearn, Mairin C. M. Deith, James G. C. Ball, Eleanor M. Slade, David F. R. P. Burslem, Shu Woan Teoh, Peter J. Williams, An Nguyen, Jonathan H. Moore, Scott J. Goetz, Patrick Burns, Patrick Jantz, Christopher R. Hakkenberg, Zaneta M. Kaszta, Sam Cushman, David Coomes, Olga E. Helmy, Glen Reynolds, Jon Paul Rodriguez, Walter Jetz, Matthew Scott Luskin
Summary: The United Nations has agreed to expand global protected areas (PAs) to slow biodiversity loss. However, the effectiveness of reserves in preserving animal diversity and their impact on surrounding unprotected areas are still unclear. This study found that PAs in Southeast Asia contribute to vertebrate conservation both inside and outside their boundaries, providing support for the UN's goal of achieving 30% PA coverage by 2030.
Article
Ecology
Trevan Flynn, Jiri Tuma, Tom M. Fayle, Hana Vesela, Jan Frouz
Summary: Conversion of primary forest into oil palm plantations is common, but its effects on soil properties and spatial distribution are not well understood. This study found significant differences in soil properties and spatial structure between oil palm plantations and primary forest, while selectively logged forests showed similarities to primary forest in terms of overall mean and variance.
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY
(2023)