Quantifying the biodiversity value of tropical primary, secondary, and plantation forests

Abstract

Biodiversity loss from deforestation may be partly offset by the expansion of secondary forests and plantation forestry in the tropics. However, our current knowledge of the value of these habitats for biodiversity conservation is limited to very few taxa, and many studies are severely confounded by methodological shortcomings. We examined the conservation value of tropical primary, secondary, and plantation forests for 15 taxonomic groups using a robust and replicated sample design that minimized edge effects. Different taxa varied markedly in their response to patterns of land use in terms of species richness and the percentage of species restricted to primary forest (varying from 5% to 57%), yet almost all between-forest comparisons showed marked differences in community structure and composition. Cross-taxon congruence in response patterns was very weak when evaluated using abundance or species richness data, but much stronger when using metrics based upon community similarity. Our results show that, whereas the biodiversity indicator group concept may hold some validity for several taxa that are frequently sampled (such as birds and fruit-feeding butterflies), it fails for those exhibiting highly idiosyncratic responses to tropical land-use change (including highly vagile species groups such as bats and orchid bees), highlighting the problems associated with quantifying the biodiversity value of anthropogenic habitats. Finally, although we show that areas of native regeneration and exotic tree plantations can provide complementary conservation services, we also provide clear empirical evidence demonstrating the irreplaceable value of primary forests. biodiversity indicators ͉ congruence ͉ conservation ͉ tropical forests ͉ Amazon

Fine-scale population genetic structure and sex-biased dispersal in the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) in southern England

“…However, this research suggests that maintaining a mosaic of habitats within managed commercial forests could benefit smooth snake populations. Although plantation forests are not able to support the biodiversity of primary habitats, they can have a role in complementary conservation services (Barlow et al, 2007). Further research concentrating on determining the precise stage at which young forestry stands may become unsuitable habitat for smooth snakes should be seen as a priority for forest management practices.…”

O mecanismo de compensação de reserva legal e suas implicações econômicas e ambientais

“…Thus the protection of primary forests or forests in the more advanced stages of regeneration can be prioritized. This would have considerable impact on the conservation of the flora and the fauna, particularly tropical forests (BARLOW et al, 2007;GIBSON et al, 2011).…”

Mobility explains the response of aerial insectivorous bats to anthropogenic habitat change in the Neotropics

“…Barlow et al, 2007). Over the last decades, many studies have revealed species loss and altered community composition in response to tropical forest degradation (Hill and Curran, 2003;Turner, 1996).…”