Logged tropical forests have amplified and diverse ecosystem energetics

Yadvinder Malhi (), Terhi Riutta, Oliver R. Wearn, Nicolas J. Deere, Simon L. Mitchell, Henry Bernard, Noreen Majalap, Reuben Nilus, Zoe G. Davies, Robert M. Ewers and Matthew J. Struebig
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Yadvinder Malhi: University of Oxford
Terhi Riutta: University of Oxford
Oliver R. Wearn: Fauna & Flora International, Vietnam Programme
Nicolas J. Deere: University of Kent
Simon L. Mitchell: University of Kent
Henry Bernard: Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Noreen Majalap: Forest Research Centre, Sabah Forestry Department
Reuben Nilus: Forest Research Centre, Sabah Forestry Department
Zoe G. Davies: University of Kent
Robert M. Ewers: Imperial College London
Matthew J. Struebig: University of Kent

Nature, 2022, vol. 612, issue 7941, 707-713

Abstract: Abstract Old-growth tropical forests are widely recognized as being immensely important for their biodiversity and high biomass1. Conversely, logged tropical forests are usually characterized as degraded ecosystems2. However, whether logging results in a degradation in ecosystem functions is less clear: shifts in the strength and resilience of key ecosystem processes in large suites of species have rarely been assessed in an ecologically integrated and quantitative framework. Here we adopt an ecosystem energetics lens to gain new insight into the impacts of tropical forest disturbance on a key integrative aspect of ecological function: food pathways and community structure of birds and mammals. We focus on a gradient spanning old-growth and logged forests and oil palm plantations in Borneo. In logged forest there is a 2.5-fold increase in total resource consumption by both birds and mammals compared to that in old-growth forests, probably driven by greater resource accessibility and vegetation palatability. Most principal energetic pathways maintain high species diversity and redundancy, implying maintained resilience. Conversion of logged forest into oil palm plantation results in the collapse of most energetic pathways. Far from being degraded ecosystems, even heavily logged forests can be vibrant and diverse ecosystems with enhanced levels of ecological function.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05523-1

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