Plant functional types and traits as biodiversity indicators for tropical forests: two biogeographically separated case studies including birds, mammals and termites

Gillison, Andrew N.; Bignell, David E.; Brewer, Kenneth R.W.; Fernandes, Erick C.M.; Jones, David T.; Sheil, Douglas; May, Peter H.; Watt, Allan D.; Constantino, Reginaldo; Couto, Eduardo G.; Hairiah, Kurniatun; Jepson, Paul; Kartono, Agus P.; Maryanto, Ibnu; Neto, Germano G.; van Noordwijk, Meine; Silveira, Elton A.; Susilo, Francis-Xavier; Vosti, Stephen A.; Nunes, Paulo C.. 2013 Plant functional types and traits as biodiversity indicators for tropical forests: two biogeographically separated case studies including birds, mammals and termites. Biodiversity and Conservation, 22 (9). 1909-1930. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0517-1

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Abstract/Summary

Multi-taxon surveys were conducted in species-rich, lowland palaeotropical and neotropical forested landscapes in Sumatra, Indonesia and Mato Grosso, Brazil. Gradient-directed transects (gradsects) were sampled across a range of forested land use mosaics, using a uniform protocol to simultaneously record vegetation (vascular plant species, plant functional types (PFTs) and vegetation structure), vertebrates (birds, mammals) and invertebrates (termites), in addition to measuring site and soil properties, including carbon stocks. At both sites similar correlations were detected between major components of structure (mean canopy height, woody basal area and litter depth) and the diversities of plant species and PFTs. A plant species to PFT ratio [spp.:PFTs] was the best overall predictor of animal diversity, especially termite species richness in Sumatra. To a notable extent vegetation structure also correlated with animal diversity. These surrogates demonstrate generic links between habitat structural elements, carbon stocks and biodiversity. They may also offer practical low-cost indicators for rapid assessment in tropical forest landscapes.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0517-1
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
ISSN:	0960-3115
Additional Keywords:	biodiversity indicators, tropical forest, plant functional types, habitat characterization, rapid biodiversity assessment, fauna
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Zoology
Date made live:	06 Mar 2014 11:26 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/505231

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