Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 77 (1): 107-120, 2004
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Dung decomposition and associated beetles in a fragmented temperate
forest
Habitat fragmentation may result in changes in species number and population
abundance among habitats that differ in area, structure, or edge characteristics. These changes, in turn, may result in alterations in
ecosystem process such as decomposition of organic matter. Through an experimental approach, we compared the beetles
assemblages associated with dung and decomposition of cow feces in a continuous portion of Maulino forest, forest fragments and in
pine plantations that surround this forest and forest remnants. Abundance and richness of dung-associated beetles were lower in
forest fragments compared to the continuous forest and pine plantations. However, dung decomposition was similar in these three
habitats. Beetle abundance, species richness and decomposition did not vary along edges of forest fragments and pine plantations, but
beetle abundance and decomposition rate varied on the border compared to the interior of the continuous forest. Thus, although beetle
assemblage changes across the fragmented landscape, these variations in species richness and abundance did not translate into
alterations of an ecosystem process such as dung-decomposition, as occurs in tropical forests. The beetle assemblage at pine
plantations comprises only native species and dung decomposition was similar in both fragments and continuous forest. Therefore,
pine plantations maintain at least partially the structural and functional biodiversity of the native fauna, connecting the native remnants
throughout the landscape, a crucial factor in biodiversity conservation.
Key words:
temperate forest,
fragmentation, insects, decomposition
