Replacing low-intensity cattle pasture with oil palm conserves dung beetle functional diversity when paired with forest protection

Meeting rising demand for oil palm whilst minimizing the loss of tropical biodiversity and associated ecosystem functions is a core conservation challenge. One potential solution focusing expansion high-yielding crops on presently low-yielding farmlands alongside protecting nearby forests that can enhance provision functions. A key question how this would impact invertebrate functional diversity. We focus in Colombian Llanos, where plantations are replacing improved cattle pastures forest fragments, dung beetles, which play roles nutrient cycling secondary seed dispersal. show richness diversity beetles greater than pasture, metrics did not differ between remnant forest. The abundance-size class profile was more similar to had lower abundances smallest largest beetles. abundance tunneling rolling forest, while higher cover increased diurnal generalist-feeding landscapes. This suggests prioritizing agricultural development pasture will have positive effects highlights need protection maintain functioning within