Palm plantations and grasslands represent a threat to the structure, diversity, and functional traits of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) in Orinoquia’s forests

1. Changes in land use pose a threat to biodiversity, traits of organisms, and their ecological functions. Dung beetles play a pivotal role in ecosystem services such as nutrient recycling, seed dispersal, and soil fertilization. 2. This study aims to determine the relationship between the taxonomic and functional diversity of dung beetles in forest fragments, palm plantations, and grasslands. 3. The study was conducted in Orinoquia’s region in Colombia, where three gallery forest patches, three palm plantations, and three grasslands were sampled. Dung beetles were collected using pitfall traps. Species-level identification was carried out in the laboratory, and 14 traits (morphological and behavioral) were measured. Taxonomic diversity (alpha and beta) and functional diversity were compared using functional diversity indices: functional richness (FRic), functional evenness (FEve), functional dispersion of traits (FDis), and multi-trait functional divergence (FDiv). 4. Richness, taxonomic diversity, and functional groups decreased from forests > plantations > grasslands. Regarding functional diversity, FRic was higher in the forest, FEve was similarly low in both the forest and palm plantations, and values of FDiv and FDis increased in the forest while decreasing in the grasslands. 5. Our study revealed that palm plantations and grasslands threaten the diversity and functioning of Orinoquia's forests, which can lead to the loss of species and ecosystem services. It is essential to establish protected areas to prevent the reduction of forest fragments that still exhibit a certain degree of connectivity and resilience to disturbances. • A negative effect was found between land use change and richness, diversity, and functional groups. • Functional diversity was higher in forests, compared to palm plantations and grasslands. • Palm plantations and grasslands threaten the diversity and functioning of Orinoquia's forests. • Palm plantations lead to the loss of species and ecosystem services.