Divergent flows of avian-mediated ecosystem services across forest-matrix interfaces in human-modified landscapes

Author(s)

Barros, Fabio M. ^[1] ; Peres, Carlos A. ^[2] ; Pizo, Marco A. ^[3] ; Ribeiro, Milton Cezar ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Ecol, UNESP, Rio Claro - Brazil

^[2] Univ East Anglia, Sch Environm Sci, Norwich, Norfolk - England

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Zool, UNESP, Rio Claro - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY; v. 34, n. 4, p. 879-894, APR 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

ContextThe ecological interplay between edge and matrix effects along forest-matrix interfaces is closed linked to landscape processes modulating biodiversity and ecosystem services provision in disturbed landscapes. Improving such knowledge is therefore essential to design more efficient land use management in multifunctional landscapes.ObjectivesEstimate the avian-mediated Ecosystem Service Provision (ESP) in contrasting types of forest-matrix interfaces in tropical landscapes, and examine how local habitat and landscape attributes can predict ESPs.MethodsWe sampled bird assemblages in forest-pasture (FP) and forest-eucalyptus plantation (FE) interfaces, and estimated their potential as pest control, seed dispersal and pollination agents across human-modified landscapes in southeastern Brazil. Using Random Forest algorithm, we also quantified the relative importance of local vs. landscape attributes in predicting ESPs.ResultsThe overall ESPs was higher in FP than FE interfaces. Habitat generalist birds were important potential seed disperser and pollinator agents at both FP and FE. At forest edges, landscape forest cover best predicted pest control services, whereas the density of rural homesteads best predicted potential seed dispersal and pollination services. Local habitat features were particularly important in predicting all ESP in pastures.ConclusionsWe highlight the importance of matrix type and matrix habitat structure in modulating avian ESPs across forest-matrix interfaces in human-altered landscapes and suggest that forest cover and rural homestead density are key elements in multifunctional landscapes that consider avian ESP in both forest and matrix habitats. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/50421-2 - New sampling methods and statistical tools for biodiversity research: integrating animal movement ecology with population and community ecology
• Grantee: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/19732-1 - Functional richness and ecosystem services by frugivorous birds in fragmented landscapes
• Grantee: Fabio Monteiro de Barros
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/15376-4 - Seed dispersal and others ecosystem functions played by birds at the interface forest/matrix in fragmented landscapes
• Grantee: Fabio Monteiro de Barros
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate