Logging cuts the functional importance of invertebrates in tropical rainforest

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7836
• Publication Date: 2015-04-13T11:50:38Z
• Authors: Robert M. Ewers; Michael J. W. Boyle; Rosalind A. Gleave; Nichola S. Plowman; Suzan Benedick; Henry Bernard; Tom R. Bishop; Effendi Y. Bakhtiar; Vun Khen Chey; Arthur Y. C. Chung; Richard G. Davies; David P. Edwards; Paul Eggleton; Tom M. Fayle; Stephen R. Hardwick; Rahman Homathevi; Roger L. Kitching; Min Sheng Khoo; Sarah H. Luke; Joshua J. March; Reuben Nilus; Marion Pfeifer; Sri V. Rao; Adam C. Sharp; Jake L. Snaddon; Nigel E. Stork; Matthew J. Struebig; Oliver R. Wearn; Kalsum M. Yusah; Edgar C. Turner
• Keywords: Insectivore; Tropical rain forest; Trophic cascade

Abstract Invertebrates are dominant species in primary tropical rainforests, where their abundance and diversity contributes to the functioning resilience of these globally important ecosystems. However, more than one-third forests have been logged, with dramatic impacts on rainforest biodiversity that may disrupt key ecosystem processes. We find contribution invertebrates three processes operating at trophic levels (litter decomposition, seed predation removal, invertebrate predation) is reduced by up one-half following logging. These changes associated decreased functional groups termites, ants, beetles earthworms, an increase small mammals, amphibians insectivorous birds logged relative forest. Our results suggest themselves considerable logging, but consistent decline importance indicative a human-induced shift how ecological operate rainforests.