Human perturbations reduce dung beetle diversity and dung removal ecosystem function

Biodiversity drives ecological functioning, ultimately providing ecosystem services. Ecosystem processes are favored by greater functional diversity, particularly when groups of functionally different species interact synergistically. Many such functions performed insects, among which dung beetles stand out for their important role in decomposition. However, anthropogenic disturbances negatively affecting dynamics and We conducted a manipulative field study to evaluate the effect human disturbance on beetle diversity (abundance, richness, group richness) removal rates, comparing perturbed conserved forests three regions Colombia (Caribbean, Andes, Amazon). also assess relationship between rates. Dung was assessed using pitfall traps, specimens were measured assigned according body size relocation strategy. used exclusion control units experimental degradation with without activity differences rates two strategies: paracoprids telecoprids. abundance, richness lower compared forests. increased richness. Moreover, telecoprids paracoprids. Our results evidence negative perturbation that enhance La biodiversidad afecta el funcionamiento ecológico y los servicios ecosistémicos asociados. Los procesos se ven favorecidos por una mayor diversidad funcional, especialmente cuando especies funcionalmente diferentes interactúan sinérgicamente. Muchas funciones son realizadas insectos, destacando escarabajos coprófagos su rol en la descomposición del excremento. Sin embargo, las perturbaciones antrópicas afectan negativamente dinámica ecosistémicos. Realizamos un estudio campo, evaluando efecto de tasas remoción excremento, comparando bosques perturbados conservados tres regiones (Caribe, Andes Amazonia). Igualmente, evaluamos relación entre remoción, mediante trampas caída, midiendo ejemplares asignándolos grupos funcionales según tamaño estrategia relocalización. Usamos unidades exclusión para evaluar degradación excremento ausencia experimentales diferencias paracópridos telecópridos. Las abundancia riqueza fueron menores comparación con conservados. aumentó abundancia, funcionales. Además, realizada telecópridos paracópridos. Nuestros resultados evidencian negativo perturbación riqueza, que aumento mejoran remoción. No potential conflict interest reported authors. The data support findings this openly available Dryad Digital Repository: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pg4f4qrp2 (Noriega, March-Salas, et al., 2021). Please note: publisher is not responsible content or functionality any supporting information supplied Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed corresponding author article.