scholarly journals Trophic niche differentiation and utilisation of food resources in Collembola is altered by rainforest conversion to plantation systems

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10971
Author(s):  
Winda Ika Susanti ◽  
Rahayu Widyastuti ◽  
Stefan Scheu ◽  
Anton Potapov

Intensively managed monoculture plantations are increasingly replacing natural forests across the tropics resulting in changes in ecological niches of species and communities, and in ecosystem functioning. Collembola are among the most abundant arthropods inhabiting the belowground system sensitively responding to changes in vegetation and soil conditions. However, most studies on the response of Collembola to land-use change were conducted in temperate ecosystems and focused on shifts in community composition or morphological traits, while parameters more closely linked to ecosystem functioning, such as trophic niches, received little attention. Here, we used stable isotope analysis (13C and 15N) to investigate changes in the trophic structure and use of food resources by Collembola in Jambi province (Sumatra, Indonesia), a region that experienced strong deforestation in the last decades. Isotopic values of Collembola from 32 sites representing four land-use systems were analyzed (rainforest, rubber agroforest, rubber (Hevea brasiliansis) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) monoculture plantations). Across Collembola species Δ13C values were highest in rainforest suggesting more pronounced processing of litter resources by microorganisms and consumption of these microorganisms by Collembola in this system. Lower Δ13C values, but high Δ13C variation in Collembola in oil palm plantations indicated that Collembola shifted towards herbivory and used more variable resources in this system. Small range in Δ15N values in Collembola species in monoculture plantations in comparison to rainforest indicated that conversion of rainforest into plantations is associated with simplification in the trophic structure of Collembola communities. This was further confirmed by generally lower isotopic niche differentiation among species in plantations. Across the studied ecosystems, atmobiotic species (Symphypleona and Paronellidae) occupied the lowest, whereas euedaphic Collembola species occupied the highest trophic position, resembling patterns in temperate forests. Some species of Paronellidae in rainforest and jungle rubber had Δ15N values below those of leaf litter suggesting algivory (Salina sp.1, Callyntrura sp.1 and Lepidonella sp.1), while a dominant species, Pseudosinella sp.1, had the highest Δ15N values in most of the land-use systems suggesting that this species at least in part lives as predator or scavenger. Overall, the results suggest that rainforest conversion into plantation systems is associated with marked shifts in the structure of trophic niches in soil and litter Collembola with potential consequences for ecosystem functioning and food-web stability.

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agno Nonato Serrão Acioli

Resumo. Os cupins são importantes decompositores da matéria de origem vegetal. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar e comparar a diversidade e composição das espécies de cupins em três diferentes sistemas de uso do solo na região do Alto Solimões, Amazonas, Brasil. Os cupins foram coletados na floresta primária, em cultivos de dendê (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) e mandioca (Manihot sculenta Crantz). Em cada área selecionada as coletas foram realizadas dentro de um transecto retangular medindo 100 m x 2 m, subdivididos em 20 parcelas de 5 m x 2 m. Foram encontradas 24 espécies de cupins, pertencentes a 14 gêneros e duas famílias, nos três sistemas de uso do solo. As espécies mais frequentes foram Nasutitermes cf. dendrophilus (Desneux) (28,43%), seguida de Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) (14,37%) e Anoplotermes sp. 2 (9,58%). A riqueza de espécies foi maior na floresta primária (16 espécies), seguida dos cultivos de dendê (14 espécies) e mandioca (seis espécies). A composição taxonômica e os grupos funcionais também sofreram modificações, sendo mais diversificados e equilibrados na floresta primária quando comparados com os dois tipos de cultivos. A comunidade de cupins é fortemente afetada quando ocorre a substituição da floresta primária pelos cultivos agrícolas. Neste estudo, as espécies N. cf. dendrophilus e H. tenuis merecem atenção, pois se constata o aumento de sua frequência nos cultivos de dendê e mandioca.Frequency, Diversity and Composition of Termite Fauna (Blattodea: Isoptera) in Land Use Systems in the Southwest of Amazonas, Brazil Abstract. Termites are important decomposers of matter of vegetable origin. This study aims to analyze and compare the diversity and composition of termite species in three different land use systems in Alto Solimões, Amazonas, Brazil. Termites were collected in the primary forest, oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and cassava (Manihot sculenta Crantz) crops. In each area the collections were made within a rectangular transect measuring 100 m x 2 m, subdivided into 20 plots of 5 m x 2 m. Twenty four species of termites were found, belonging to 14 genera and two families. The most frequent species were Nasutitermes cf. dendrophilus (Desneux) (28.43%), Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) (14.37%) and Anoplotermes sp. 2 (9.58%). The species richness was higher in the primary forest (16 species), followed by oil palm (14 species) and cassava (six species) crops. The taxonomic composition and the functional groups were also modified, being more diversified and balanced in the primary forest than in the crops. The termite community was strongly affected when the primary forest was replaced by agricultural crops. The species N. cf. dendrophilus and H. tenuis deserve attention, it was verified the increase of their frequency in the crops.


2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 321-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabricio S. Correa ◽  
Leandro Juen ◽  
Lenise C. Rodrigues ◽  
Heriberto F. Silva-Filho ◽  
Maria C. Santos-Costa

The extent of land use for oil palm plantations has grown considerably in the tropics due to climate, appropriate soil conditions for cultivation and its profitability. However, oil palm plantations may endanger biodiversity through reduction and fragmentation of forest areas. Herein we analyzed the effects on anuran species richness, composition and total abundance in oil palm plantations and surrounding forests in eastern Amazon. We installed seven plots in oil palm plantations and seven plots in surrounding forests, which we surveyed for the presence of anurans through active visual and acoustic surveys during periods of high and low rainfall levels. Anuran assemblages found in forests and oil palm plantations differed in species richness and composition, with a loss of 54% of species in oil palm plantations. No difference was observed in total abundance of anurans between both environments. While conversion of forests to oil palm plantations may result in less negative impacts on anuran diversity than other types of monocultures, such loss is nevertheless high, making the maintenance of relatively greater forested areas around oil palm plantations necessary in order to conserve anuran diversity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alena Krause ◽  
Dorothee Sandmann ◽  
Anton Potapov ◽  
Sergey Ermilov ◽  
Rahayu Widyastuti ◽  
...  

Land-use change is threatening biodiversity worldwide and is predicted to increase in the next decades, especially in tropical regions. Most studies focused on the response of single or few species to land-use change, only few investigated the response of entire communities. In particular the response of belowground communities to changes in land use received little attention. Oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acari) are among the most abundant soil animals, involved in decomposition processes and nutrient cycling. Oribatid mite species span a wide range of trophic niches and are known to sensitively respond to changes in land use. Here, we investigated shifts in the community-level trophic niche of oribatid mites with the conversion of rainforest into rubber and oil palm plantations. Due to a wider range of resources in more natural ecosystems, we expected the community-level trophic niche to shrink with conversion of rainforest into plantations. As the conversion of rainforest into plantations is associated with reduced availability of litter resources, we expected the average trophic level (indicated by the 15N/14N ratio) to be higher and basal resources (indicated by the 13C/12C ratio) to shift toward living plant material in rubber and oil palm plantations. Our analysis showed that community-level trophic niches in rainforest and rubber agroforest (“jungle rubber”) were separated from those in monoculture plantation systems, indicating a trophic niche shift with land-use intensification. As hypothesized, oribatid mites shifted their diet toward predation and/or scavenging and toward the plant-based energy channel with transformation of rainforest into plantations. Exceptionally low minimum 13C/12C ratios in rubber plantations suggest that certain oribatid mite species in this land-use system use resources not available in the other studied ecosystems. We detected high isotopic uniqueness in oil palm plantations suggesting a low trophic redundancy and thus high vulnerability of trophic functioning in this system in comparison to rainforest. Overall, the results suggest that the conversion of rainforest into plantations is associated with pronounced shifts in community-level trophic niches of mesofauna detritivores with potential major consequences for the functioning of the decomposer system.


2021 ◽  
pp. 23-36
Author(s):  
Adeduntan S. A. ◽  
Akinbi O. J. ◽  
Osabiya O. S. ◽  
Olusola J. A.

A field survey was conducted in Okomu Forest Reserve Edo State, to assess the diversity and seasonal dynamics of arthropod species in selected land use systems (Okomu national park, Okomu rubber plantation and Okomu oil palm plantation). Samplings of arthropods were carried out between February and September 2020, arthropods were collected by hand picking and sweep net in each sampled plots at 25 m x 25 m in the study area. Insects encountered were killed and preserved by chloroform. Arthropods samples were taken to the laboratory for oven dry and identification. A total of 382 arthropods spread across 15 orders, 34 families and 81 species were recorded. The most dominant orders were Hymenoptera (Ants) followed by Odonta (dragonfly) and Lepidoptera (butterfly and Moth) during dry season while highest abundance of orders were Spirostreptida (millepde) followed by Hymenoptera (Ants) and Araneae (spider) during rainy season. Okomu National Park has the highest (220) insect species abundance follow by Okomu Rubber Plantation (136) while the least was Okomu Oil Palm Plantation (72) in the study area. Study revealed that Okomu Rubber Plantation has no record of Scolopendromorphra (centipede) andHemiptera (bug) while in Okomu Oil Palm Plantation no record of Scolopendromorphra (centipede), lepidoptera (butterfly), also there were norecord of blattodea (crockroach) order of insect species in Okomu National Park. The highest species diversity and evenness was observed in Okomu National Park (H’ = 3.03 and E’= 0.83) follow by Okomu Oil Palm Plantation (H’=1.89 and E’=0.86) while Okomu Rubber Plantation was the least (H’ = 1.53 and E’= 0.60). ANOVA showed significant (P≤0.05) different on diversity and abundance between land use systems while there is nosignificant (P≥0.05) different seasons in the study area. Observation was made on seasonal variation of arthropods species in different land use systems and dominant species as bio-indicators in the study area.


2018 ◽  
pp. 81-94
Author(s):  
Isong I.A ◽  
Ogban P.I. ◽  
Antigha N.R.B. ◽  
Okon P.B.

Recently, the importance of the infiltration process in agriculture and the environ- ment has resulted in an upsurge of interest by soil and water scientists to model the process for quantitative application. A study was conducted on the University of Cal- abar Teaching and Research Farm, Calabar to evaluate the effect of oil palm (OP) and arable farm (AF) land use systems on the Green-Ampt (GA), Philip (P), Kostiakov (K), Horton (H) and Mezencev (MZ) infiltration models, as well as the applicability or efficiency of the models to predict infiltration into the soils. Infiltration data were obtained with double-ring infiltrometer, and the parameters of the models were obtained through curve-fitting. Model accuracy was evaluated with the Willmott’s index of agreement (W), chi-square (X2), coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean error (ME) test statistics. The results showed that soil under oil palm had measured cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate of 72.81 cm and 14.10cm/hr while arable farm had 74.76 cm and 12.92 cm/hr, respectively. The cumulative infiltration predicted by Philip and Kostiakov models were very close to the field data for OP and AF. Horton and Mezencev models underestimated the infiltration process because their ME values were negative while Green–Ampt, Kostia- kov, and Philip overestimated the infiltration process as they had positive ME values. In terms of accuracy and applicability, the order of performance was P>K>MZ>GA>H. Therefore, the Philip and Kostiakov models could be used to pre- dict infiltration into the soils, but that the Philip model was superior to the Kostiakov model for the University of Calabar Teaching and Research Farm and similar soils in other ecologies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1694) ◽  
pp. 20150275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Drescher ◽  
Katja Rembold ◽  
Kara Allen ◽  
Philip Beckschäfer ◽  
Damayanti Buchori ◽  
...  

Tropical lowland rainforests are increasingly threatened by the expansion of agriculture and the extraction of natural resources. In Jambi Province, Indonesia, the interdisciplinary EFForTS project focuses on the ecological and socio-economic dimensions of rainforest conversion to jungle rubber agroforests and monoculture plantations of rubber and oil palm. Our data confirm that rainforest transformation and land use intensification lead to substantial losses in biodiversity and related ecosystem functions, such as decreased above- and below-ground carbon stocks. Owing to rapid step-wise transformation from forests to agroforests to monoculture plantations and renewal of each plantation type every few decades, the converted land use systems are continuously dynamic, thus hampering the adaptation of animal and plant communities. On the other hand, agricultural rainforest transformation systems provide increased income and access to education, especially for migrant smallholders. Jungle rubber and rubber monocultures are associated with higher financial land productivity but lower financial labour productivity compared to oil palm, which influences crop choice: smallholders that are labour-scarce would prefer oil palm while land-scarce smallholders would prefer rubber. Collecting long-term data in an interdisciplinary context enables us to provide decision-makers and stakeholders with scientific insights to facilitate the reconciliation between economic interests and ecological sustainability in tropical agricultural landscapes.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11012
Author(s):  
André Junggebauer ◽  
Tamara R. Hartke ◽  
Daniel Ramos ◽  
Ina Schaefer ◽  
Damayanti Buchori ◽  
...  

Rainforest conversion into monoculture plantations results in species loss and community shifts across animal taxa. The effect of such conversion on the role of ecophysiological properties influencing communities, and conversion effects on phylogenetic diversity and community assembly mechanisms, however, are rarely studied in the same context. Here, we compare salticid spider (Araneae: Salticidae) communities between canopies of lowland rainforest, rubber agroforest (“jungle rubber”) and monoculture plantations of rubber or oil palm, sampled in a replicated plot design in Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Overall, we collected 912 salticid spider individuals and sorted them to 70 morphospecies from 21 genera. Salticid richness was highest in jungle rubber, followed by rainforest, oil palm and rubber, but abundance of salticids did not differ between land-use systems. Community composition was similar in jungle rubber and rainforest but different from oil palm and rubber, which in turn were different from each other. The four investigated land-use systems differed in aboveground plant biomass, canopy openness and land use intensity, which explained 12% of the observed variation in canopy salticid communities. Phylogenetic diversity based on ~850 bp 28S rDNA fragments showed similar patterns as richness, that is, highest in jungle rubber, intermediate in rainforest, and lowest in the two monoculture plantations. Additionally, we found evidence for phylogenetic clustering of salticids in oil palm, suggesting that habitat filtering is an important factor shaping salticid spider communities in monoculture plantations. Overall, our study offers a comprehensive insight into the mechanisms shaping communities of arthropod top predators in canopies of tropical forest ecosystems and plantations, combining community ecology, environmental variables and phylogenetics across a land-use gradient in tropical Asia.


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