Effects of abiotic restoration through rock addition on invertebrate functional diversity in native temperate grasslands

• DOI: 10.1111/rec.14192
• Publication Date: 2024-05-22T07:40:05Z
• Authors: Isobel Roberts; Richard N. C. Milner; Brett Howland; James Lumbers; Maree Gilbert; Annabel L. Smith
• Keywords: Restoration Ecology

Invertebrates account for over 90% of all described species and provide crucial ecosystem services. Land clearing, including the removal abiotic habitat features, threatens invertebrate biodiversity, making environmental restoration conservation. However, little is known about effects compared to biotic features. To determine if rock addition increased we introduced 120 t rocks 10 sites across five grassland reserves in Australian Capital Territory a before‐after‐control‐impact design. We sampled invertebrates using pitfall traps before treatment 2016 after 2019 (during record‐breaking drought). recorded 29,164 individual from 19 orders undertook functional trait‐based analysis on community. No were observed probability occurrence, richness, diversity, community similarity, or abundance any taxonomic group. The snare‐building spiders large ants was higher control plots at end experiment. These responses did not differ 2016. Thus, some combination drought appears have neutralized positive temporal change that evident without rocks. Despite regionwide, replicated effort an extensive communities, very response recorded. Rock negative effect biodiversity may still be beneficial long‐term conservation vertebrate communities.