Functionally richer communities improve ecosystem functioning: dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in the Western Palaearctic

Milotić, Tanja; Baltzinger, Christophe; Eichberg, Carsten; Eycott, Amy E.; Heurich, Marco; Müller, Jörg; Noriega, Jorge A.; Menendez, Rosa; Stadler, Jutta; Ádám, Réka; Bargmann, Tessa; Bilger, Isabelle; Buse, Jörn; Calatayud, Joaquín; Ciubuc, Constantin; Boros, Gergely; Jay‐Robert, Pierre; Kruus, Märt; Merivee, Enno; Miessen, Geoffrey; Must, Anne; Ardali, Elham; Preda, Elena; Rahimi, Iraj; Rohwedder, Dirk; Rose, Rob; Slade, Eleanor M.; Somay, László; Tahmasebi, Pejman; Ziani, Stefano; Hoffmann, Maurice. 2019 Functionally richer communities improve ecosystem functioning: dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in the Western Palaearctic. Journal of Biogeography, 46 (1). 70-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13452

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13452

Abstract/Summary

Aim: In several ecosystems, the diversity of functional species traits has been shown to have a stronger effect on ecosystem functioning than taxonomic diversity alone. However, few studies have explored this idea at a large geographical scale. In a multisite experiment, we unravelled the relationship between ecosystem function and functional completeness of species assemblages using dung beetles as a model group, focusing on dung removal and secondary seed dispersal. Location: Seventeen grassland locations across the Western Palaearctic. Methods: We used a randomized block design with different exclosure types to control the dung and seed removing activities of individual functional groups of the local dung beetle assemblage. We classified dung beetle species according to resource specialization and into functional groups based on dung processing behaviour (dwellers, tunnellers, rollers) and body size (small, large). Additionally, we assessed the role of other soil macro‐invertebrates. By sampling the dung beetle community and measuring the remaining dung and seeds after the experiment, the impact of each functional group was estimated. Results: Dung beetle assemblages differed along a north–south and east–west gradient. Dwellers dominated northernmost sites, whereas at lower latitudes we observed more tunnellers and rollers indicating a functional shift. Resource specialists were more abundant in southern and eastern areas. Overall, functional group diversity enhanced dung removal. More dung (+46.9%) and seeds (+32.1%) were removed in the southern sites and tunnellers and rollers were more effective. At the northernmost sites, where tunnellers were scarce or absent, other soil macro‐invertebrates removed the majority of dung. Main conclusions: The conservation of functionally complete dung beetle assemblages is crucial to maintain the ecosystem functions provided by dung beetles. Given the latitudinal variation in functional group diversity, it is reasonable to expect compositional changes due to climate change. These changes could lead to increased dung removal and a higher secondary seed dispersal rate in northern regions.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13452
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0305-0270
Additional Keywords:	ecosystem function, ecosystem service, latitudinal gradient, longitudinal gradient, multi-site experiments, Scarabaeidae
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	29 Nov 2018 12:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/521701

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13452

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0305-0270

Additional Keywords:

ecosystem function, ecosystem service, latitudinal gradient, longitudinal gradient, multi-site experiments, Scarabaeidae

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment