Linking Biodiversity, the Environment and Ecosystem Functioning : Ecological Functions of Dung Beetles Along a Tropical Elevational Gradient

Nunes, Cássio Alencar and Braga, Rodrigo Fagundes and de Moura Resende, Fernando and de Siqueira Neves, Frederico and Figueira, José Eugênio Cortes and Fernandes, G. Wilson (2018) Linking Biodiversity, the Environment and Ecosystem Functioning : Ecological Functions of Dung Beetles Along a Tropical Elevational Gradient. Ecosystems, 21. pp. 1244-1254. ISSN 1432-9840

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Abstract

Biodiversity loss and anthropogenic environmental changes are known to impact ecosystem functions and services. However, there are still some uncertainties such as confounding environmental factors other than community attributes that affect ecosystem functioning. Our goal was to understand what factors influence the performance of Scarabaeinae dung beetle functions, testing the hypothesis that both community attributes and environmental variables influence the performance. Toward this aim, we collected dung beetles along an elevational gradient (800–1400 m a.s.l.) in the Espinhaço mountain range (Brazil) and quantified dung beetle functions, that is, dung removal, soil excavation and secondary seed dispersal. We recorded data on environmental factors related to climate, soil and vegetation and evaluated their effects on dung beetle functions. Dung beetle ecological functions declined with elevation and the decrease was more pronounced than richness, indicating that there are other factors involved in functions performance besides diversity of beetles. Indeed, we found that the ecological functions measured were dependent on both dung beetle community attributes and environmental factors. Climate, soil and vegetation influenced dung beetle function performance as much as richness, abundance and body size. Dung beetle functional diversity did not explain any of the functions measured. Our study demonstrates that ecological functions are directly influenced by both community attributes and environmental variables and confirms the link between biodiversity, environment and ecosystem functioning.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Ecosystems
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1105
Subjects:
?? altitudediversitydung removalfunctional diversityscarabaeinaesecondary seed dispersalsoil excavationecology, evolution, behavior and systematicsenvironmental chemistryecology ??
ID Code:
210134
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
21 Nov 2023 13:50
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
16 Jul 2024 00:35