The Impact of Eucalyptus and Pine Plantations on the Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the Southern Region of Ecuador

This study sheds light on the complex relationship between land use, biodiversity, and the functional traits of dung beetles in Ecuador. The results indicate that the richness and abundance of dung beetles vary across different land uses and regions, with forests generally having a positive impact, while eucalyptus and pine plantations have a negative effect in certain areas. Specific indicator species, such as <i>Homocopris buckleyi</i> for forest areas and <i>Onthophagus curvicornis</i> for eucalyptus plantations, were identified. This study also found that functional diversity analysis, based on morphological traits, revealed that certain traits, such as biomass, pronotum width, head width, and elytra length, were significant contributors to differences in dung beetle communities across various land uses and regions. This study highlights the potential conservation value of certain modified habitats and emphasizes the importance of considering both taxonomic and functional diversity when assessing the impact of land use on the ecosystem services provided by dung beetles. It underscores the potential value of plantations as refuges for dung beetle communities and the need for long-term assessments to better understand biodiversity changes over time.