Structural breakdown of specialized plant-herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edges
Plant-herbivore relationships are essential for ecosystem functioning, typically forming an ecological network with a compartmentalized (i.e. modular) structure characterized by highly specialized interactions. Human disturbances can favor habitat generalist species and thus cause the collapse of th...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2017-10-01
|
| Series: | Global Ecology and Conservation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989417301324 |
| _version_ | 1818084579086434304 |
|---|---|
| author | Bruno Ximenes Pinho Wesley Dáttilo Inara R. Leal |
| author_facet | Bruno Ximenes Pinho Wesley Dáttilo Inara R. Leal |
| author_sort | Bruno Ximenes Pinho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Plant-herbivore relationships are essential for ecosystem functioning, typically forming an ecological network with a compartmentalized (i.e. modular) structure characterized by highly specialized interactions. Human disturbances can favor habitat generalist species and thus cause the collapse of this modular structure, but its effects are rarely assessed using a network-based approach. We investigate how edge proximity alters plant-insect herbivore networks by comparing forest edge and interior in a large remnant (3.500 ha) of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Given the typical dominance of pioneer plants and generalist herbivores in edge-affected habitats, we test the hypothesis that the specialized structure of plant-herbivore networks collapse in forest edges, resulting in lower modularity and herbivore specialization. Despite no differences in the number of species and interactions, the network structure presented marked differences between forest edges and interior. Herbivore specialization, modularity and number of modules were significantly higher in forest interior than edge-affected habitats. When compared to a random null model, two (22.2%) and eight (88.8%) networks were significantly modular in forest edge and interior, respectively. The loss of specificity and modularity in plant-herbivore networks in forest edges may be related to the loss of important functions, such as density-dependent control of superior plant competitors, which is ultimately responsible for the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Our results support previous warnings that focusing on traditional community measures only (e.g. species diversity) may overlook important modifications in species interactions and ecosystem functioning. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T19:56:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-03f1733f3849446584628900200b593f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2351-9894 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T19:56:08Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Ecology and Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-03f1733f3849446584628900200b593f2022-12-22T01:35:39ZengElsevierGlobal Ecology and Conservation2351-98942017-10-0112C1810.1016/j.gecco.2017.08.007Structural breakdown of specialized plant-herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edgesBruno Ximenes Pinho0Wesley Dáttilo1Inara R. Leal2Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof Moraes Rego, s/ no. 50.670-901, Recife, PE, BrazilRed de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, CP 91070, Xalapa, Veracruz, MexicoDepartamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof Moraes Rego, s/ no. 50.670-901, Recife, PE, BrazilPlant-herbivore relationships are essential for ecosystem functioning, typically forming an ecological network with a compartmentalized (i.e. modular) structure characterized by highly specialized interactions. Human disturbances can favor habitat generalist species and thus cause the collapse of this modular structure, but its effects are rarely assessed using a network-based approach. We investigate how edge proximity alters plant-insect herbivore networks by comparing forest edge and interior in a large remnant (3.500 ha) of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Given the typical dominance of pioneer plants and generalist herbivores in edge-affected habitats, we test the hypothesis that the specialized structure of plant-herbivore networks collapse in forest edges, resulting in lower modularity and herbivore specialization. Despite no differences in the number of species and interactions, the network structure presented marked differences between forest edges and interior. Herbivore specialization, modularity and number of modules were significantly higher in forest interior than edge-affected habitats. When compared to a random null model, two (22.2%) and eight (88.8%) networks were significantly modular in forest edge and interior, respectively. The loss of specificity and modularity in plant-herbivore networks in forest edges may be related to the loss of important functions, such as density-dependent control of superior plant competitors, which is ultimately responsible for the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Our results support previous warnings that focusing on traditional community measures only (e.g. species diversity) may overlook important modifications in species interactions and ecosystem functioning.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989417301324Edge effectsHerbivoryHuman-disturbanceForest fragmentationNetwork modularity |
| spellingShingle | Bruno Ximenes Pinho Wesley Dáttilo Inara R. Leal Structural breakdown of specialized plant-herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edges Global Ecology and Conservation Edge effects Herbivory Human-disturbance Forest fragmentation Network modularity |
| title | Structural breakdown of specialized plant-herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edges |
| title_full | Structural breakdown of specialized plant-herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edges |
| title_fullStr | Structural breakdown of specialized plant-herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structural breakdown of specialized plant-herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edges |
| title_short | Structural breakdown of specialized plant-herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edges |
| title_sort | structural breakdown of specialized plant herbivore interaction networks in tropical forest edges |
| topic | Edge effects Herbivory Human-disturbance Forest fragmentation Network modularity |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989417301324 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT brunoximenespinho structuralbreakdownofspecializedplantherbivoreinteractionnetworksintropicalforestedges AT wesleydattilo structuralbreakdownofspecializedplantherbivoreinteractionnetworksintropicalforestedges AT inararleal structuralbreakdownofspecializedplantherbivoreinteractionnetworksintropicalforestedges |