Dung beetle functions in tropical planted pastures were barely explained by management variables and not at all by community metrics

Studies comparing different land covers clearly show that land-use change commonly affects animal communities and the ecological functions they play in ecosystems. However, we lack a good understanding of effects more subtle changes, those occurring within cover type, can have on animals, if these are also mediated by shifts community attributes. We studied two important dung beetles tropical planted pastures with exotic African grasses. Due to differences management, varied grass cover, tree density, pasture age, cattle application frequency veterinary medical products. sampled their 24 sites address questions: (1) Do management variables known strongly affect beetle functions?; (2) Are beetle-mediated removal soil excavation correlated, influenced attributes? found no influence removal, while was negatively affected but only weakly. Contrary our expectations, attribute correlated either or excavation, both were positively each other. Our results indicate responses changes decoupled, idiosyncratic context-dependent, making predictions generalizations difficult. believe there is need studies investigating fine-scale habitats better understand consequences decisions processes animals.