Land‐use change differentially affects endemic, forest and open‐land butterflies in Madagascar

• DOI: 10.1111/icad.12580
• Publication Date: 2022-04-25T11:07:53Z
• Authors: Annemarie Wurz; Ingo Grass; David C. Lees; Anjaharinony A. N...; Szabolcs Sáfián; Dominic Andreas M...; Kristina Osen; Jacqueline Loos; Evrard Benasoavina; Theudy Alexis; Teja Tscharntke
• Keywords: Old-growth forest; Secondary forest; Herbaceous plant

Abstract The conversion of tropical forests into agriculture reduces biodiversity dramatically. However, species might differ in their responses, depending on habitat specialisation and geographic origin. In this study, we assess how butterfly assemblages between old‐growth forests, forest fragments, forest‐derived vanilla agroforests, fallow‐derived woody fallows, herbaceous rice paddies Madagascar. We recorded 88 species, which 65 are endemic to Land‐use types with vegetation sustained many (mean: 6.8 species) 4.8 species). Rice fallows were richer open‐land 7.6 poorer 1.7 compared other land‐use types. Compared agroforests hosted more (+164%) (+239%) species. Richness was six times higher than fragments. Overall, 27% occurred exclusively one type 19% all when excluded. found the highest number exclusive agroforests. conclude that studied contribute conservation our study region. Especially supports a high diversity is pivotal for maintaining broad butterflies agricultural matrix. Our highlights importance preserving small‐scale types, including agroforestry, fallow land hotspot.