Selective logging in tropical forests decreases the robustness of liana–tree interaction networks to the loss of host tree species

Magrach, Ainhoa, Senior, Rebecca A., Rogers, Andrew, Nurdin, Deddy, Benedick, Suzan, Laurance, William F., Santamaria, Luis, and Edwards, David P. (2016) Selective logging in tropical forests decreases the robustness of liana–tree interaction networks to the loss of host tree species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B, Biological Sciences, 283. 20153008. pp. 1-8.

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Abstract

Selective logging is one of the major drivers of tropical forest degradation, causing important shifts in species composition. Whether such changes modify interactions between species and the networks in which they are embedded remain fundamental questions to assess the 'health' and ecosystem functionality of logged forests. We focus on interactions between lianas and their tree hosts within primary and selectively logged forests in the biodiversity hotspot of Malaysian Borneo. We found that lianas were more abundant, had higher species richness, and different species compositions in logged than in primary forests. Logged forests showed heavier liana loads disparately affecting slow-growing tree species, which could exacerbate the loss of timber value and carbon storage already associated with logging. Moreover, simulation scenarios of host tree local species loss indicated that logging might decrease the robustness of liana–tree interaction networks if heavily infested trees (i.e. the most connected ones) were more likely to disappear. This effect is partially mitigated in the short term by the colonization of host trees by a greater diversity of liana species within logged forests, yet this might not compensate for the loss of preferred tree hosts in the long term. As a consequence, species interaction networks may show a lagged response to disturbance, which may trigger sudden collapses in species richness and ecosystem function in response to additional disturbances, representing a new type of 'extinction debt'.

Item ID: 44415
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1471-2954
Keywords: ecosystem functioning, network structure, tree– liana networks, selective logging, Southeast Asia, wood density
Funders: Basque Government (BG), Australian Research Council (ARC), ETH Foundation
Research Data: http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/ dryad.6v75k
Date Deposited: 01 Aug 2016 23:30
FoR Codes: 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410401 Conservation and biodiversity @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960899 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity of Environments not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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