Jorge Ari Noriega
@unbosque.edu.co
Research Coordinator - Faculty of Engineering
Universidad El Bosque
I am an ecologist working in ecosystem services and forest functional dynamics in the Tropics. I use dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) as an indicator tool to quantify ecosystem services and environmental impact caused by humans in different bioregions. Still, I also work with other insect groups like Orthoptera, Neuroptera, and several families of Coleoptera. I have published more than 40 papers in national and international top journals and specialized journals. Also, I am the advisor of several BSc, MSc, and Ph.D. students. I have described several new species of insects. I am an associate editor for several journals. Besides, I have worked with indigenous communities and college students, teaching and transmitting love for insects. Finally, on two occasions, I won the National Award of Entomology in Colombia.
EDUCATION
A biologist from the Universidad de los Andes, with a specialization in Environmental Management, a Master's Degree in Biological Sciences from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, a Doctorate in Functional Ecology from the University of Alcalá in Madrid – Spain and a postdoc from the Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga - Australia.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Ecology, Insect Science, Animal Science and Zoology, Environmental Engineering
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
César M. A. Correa, Pedro Giovâni da Silva, Alfredo R. Abot, Jorge Ari Noriega, Anderson Puker, and Fernando Z. Vaz‐De‐Mello
Wiley
Abstract Understanding the processes and mechanisms that underlie the spatiotemporal patterns of biodiversity is of paramount relevance, given the ongoing global climate and land cover changes. Here, we investigated the influence of season‐related climatic variables on two dimensions of dung beetle diversity (taxonomic and functional) and at different scales (alpha and beta) within an introduced Brazilian pasture ecosystem. We sampled dung beetles over 52 consecutive weeks, comprising the dry and rainy seasons. We related taxonomic and functional variables to season‐related climate variables (temperature, precipitation and humidity) using absolute values and changes from consecutive samplings (Δ, differences between samplings). We found higher species richness and abundance values in the rainy season. Changes in climatic variables between consecutive samplings caused effects only in functional dispersion, temporal β‐diversity and species losses but not in species richness and abundance of dung beetles. However, these effects are dependent on the season. In the rainy season, increased precipitation between samplings caused a decrease in functional dispersion and an opposite pattern was found in the dry season. Similarly, increased temperature values between samplings caused decreases in both temporal β‐diversity and species losses of dung beetles, with an opposite pattern in the dry season. Season‐associated climatic variables showed contrasting effects on dung beetle taxonomic and functional metrics. Temporal changes in taxonomic and functional diversity may be driven by different climatic variables, which can be associated with the sorting of species or species traits related to their thermal niche.
Pablo A. López‐Bedoya, Tibor Magura, Diana M. Méndez‐Rojas, Jorge Ari Noriega, Finbarr G. Horgan, and David P. Edwards
Wiley
ResumenLos Andes tropicales son una de las ecorregiones más biodiversas de la Tierra, con altos niveles de endemismo de especies. Los Andes tropicales son también una de las ecorregiones más vulnerables del mundo debido a una larga historia de transformaciones antropogénicas. Uno de los principales obstáculos para generar planes de conservación son las lagunas en el conocimiento sobre el estado y las amenazas de muchos grupos de la biodiversidad andina, especialmente los invertebrados. Centrándonos en tres importantes grupos de escarabajos (Coleoptera: carábidos, estafilínidos y escarabajos estercoleros) de los Andes tropicales, realizamos una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica recuperando 50 estudios que nos permitieron evaluar el grado de conocimiento en la región, los tipos de perturbación y las métricas de biodiversidad utilizadas. Encontramos una alta representación de estudios en Colombia, en comparación con otros países andinos. También encontramos un marcado sesgo entre los grupos taxonómicos, los temas o las métricas evaluadas, siendo los escarabajos estercoleros el grupo más representado, especialmente en los estudios que abordan la conversión de los bosques utilizando métricas como la riqueza de especies o la abundancia. Revelamos grandes lagunas en la información sobre la diversidad de los escarabajos del suelo y de los roedores, y en el uso de otras métricas de diversidad. La falta de información en todos los países dificulta la generalización de los resultados y resalta la necesidad de más investigación, especialmente en países poco representados como Bolivia y Venezuela. La inclusión de métricas de respuesta complementarias, como la biomasa, la diversidad funcional o las funciones ecológicas, mejorará la evaluación de los impactos humanos en las comunidades de escarabajos andinos tropicales y en ecosistemas más amplios.
Pablo A. López‐Bedoya, Tibor Magura, Diana M. Méndez‐Rojas, Jorge Ari Noriega, Finbarr G. Horgan, and David P. Edwards
Wiley
AbstractThe tropical Andes is one of the most biodiverse ecoregions on Earth, exhibiting high levels of species endemism. The tropical Andes is also one of the most vulnerable ecoregions worldwide due to a long history of anthropogenic transformations. One of the major obstacles for generating conservation plans is gaps in knowledge about the status and threats to many groups of Andean biodiversity, especially invertebrates. Focusing on three important beetle groups (i.e., Coleoptera: ground beetles, rove beetles and dung beetles) in the tropical Andes, we performed a systematic review of scientific literature retrieving 50 studies that allowed us to assess the degree of knowledge across the region, disturbance types, and biodiversity metrics used. We found a high representation of studies in Colombia, compared with other Andean countries. We also found a marked bias among taxonomic groups, topics or metrics evaluated, with dung beetles the most represented group, particularly in studies addressing forest conversion using metrics such as species richness or abundance. We reveal large gaps in information on the diversity of ground and rove beetles, and in the use of other diversity metrics. The lack of information across countries makes it difficult to generalize results and points to the need for more research, especially in under‐represented countries such as Bolivia and Venezuela. Including complementary response metrics, such as biomass, functional diversity or ecological functions, will improve the assessment of human impacts on tropical Andean beetle communities and wider ecosystems.
Jorge Ari Noriega, Joaquín Hortal, Indradatta deCastro-Arrazola, Fernanda Alves-Martins, Jean C. G. Ortega, Luis Mauricio Bini, Nigel R. Andrew, Lucrecia Arellano, Sarah Beynon, Adrian L. V. Davis,et al.
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractDung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity of terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects of cattle-grazing intensification on dung removal by dung beetles in field experiments replicated in 38 pastures around the world. Within each study site, we measured dung removal in pastures managed with low- and high-intensity regimes to assess between-regime differences in dung beetle diversity and dung removal, whilst also considering climate and regional variations. The impacts of intensification were heterogeneous, either diminishing or increasing dung beetle species richness, functional diversity, and dung removal rates. The effects of beetle diversity on dung removal were more variable across sites than within sites. Dung removal increased with species richness across sites, while functional diversity consistently enhanced dung removal within sites, independently of cattle grazing intensity or climate. Our findings indicate that, despite intensified cattle stocking rates, ecosystem services related to decomposition and nutrient cycling can be maintained when a functionally diverse dung beetle community inhabits the human-modified landscape.
Raquel L. Carvalho, Angelica F. Resende, Jos Barlow, Filipe M. França, Mario R. Moura, Rafaella Maciel, Fernanda Alves-Martins, Jack Shutt, Cassio A. Nunes, Fernando Elias,et al.
Elsevier BV
Julián Clavijo-Bustos, Alejandro Lopera-Toro, and Jorge Ari Noriega
Coleopterists Society
Natalie E. Duffus, Alejandra Echeverri, Lena Dempewolf, Jorge Ari Noriega, Paul R. Furumo, and Juliano Morimoto
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractEmerging evidence suggests that insect populations may be declining at local and global scales, threatening the sustainability of the ecosystem services that insects provide. Insect declines are of particular concern in the Neotropics, which holds several of the world’s hotspots of insect endemism and diversity. Conservation policies are one way to prevent and mitigate insect declines, yet these policies are usually biased toward vertebrate species. Here, we outline some key policy instruments for biodiversity conservation in the Neotropics and discuss their potential contribution and shortcomings for insect biodiversity conservation. These include species-specific action policies, protected areas and Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs), sectoral policies, biodiversity offsetting, market-based mechanisms, and the international policy instruments that underpin these efforts. We highlight that although these policies can potentially benefit insect biodiversity indirectly, there are avenues in which we could better incorporate the specific needs of insects into policy to mitigate the declines mentioned above. We propose several areas of improvement. Firstly, evaluating the extinction risk of more Neotropical insects to better target at-risk species with species-specific policies and conserve their habitats within area-based interventions. Secondly, alternative pest control methods and enhanced monitoring of insects in a range of land-based production sectors. Thirdly, incorporating measurable and achievable insect conservation targets into international policies and conventions. Finally, we emphasise the important roles of community engagement and enhanced public awareness in achieving these improvements to insect conservation policies.
MARTÍN L. ZURITA-GARCÍA, ERICK OMAR MARTÍNEZ-LUQUE, JESSICA A. MORALES-PERDOMO, YIVI D. MARTÍNEZ-DUARTE, and JORGE ARI NORIEGA
Magnolia Press
Here, we describe and illustrate a new genus of Elateridae from Cundinamarca, Colombia, Raphaellus Zurita-García, Morales-Perdomo & Martínez-Luque, n. gen., to accommodate the new species R. deusminutosi Zurita-García, Morales-Perdomo & Martínez-Luque n. sp. The genus Raphaellus belongs to the subtribe Agriotina (Agriotini). A key to distinguish the genera of the New World subtribe Agriotina and taxonomic notes on Agriotini are presented.
Hernando L. Tovar, César M. A. Correa, Jean-Pierre Lumaret, Pablo A. López-Bedoya, Blas Navarro, Valentina Tovar, and Jorge Ari Noriega
MDPI AG
The transformation of forests into agricultural and livestock systems negatively affects the ecological dynamics and the ecosystem services provided by different groups of insects, including dung beetles, which stand out for their importance in recycling livestock dung. Since the 1980s, farmers in different regions of the world have been using Ivermectin to control parasites that affect cattle. The main route of elimination of this molecule and its metabolites is through manure, which affects the richness, abundance, and biomass of dung beetles when they use dung from treated animals. To quantify this effect, we carried out an experimental design in the field in the Colombian Caribbean, where nine cattle farms were evaluated, of which three were taken for each of the different cattle management practices most used in the region: (i) Ivermectin not applied, (ii) two doses of Ivermectin at 1% applied per year and (iii) two doses of Ivermectin at 3.15% applied per year. To assess the richness, abundance, biomass, and functional groups of dung beetles, during the dry and wet seasons, 30 pitfall traps were baited on each farm with fresh cattle manure with the same management doses described above. A total of 25,441 individuals belonging to 19 genera and 30 species were collected. The richness, abundance, and biomass of beetle assemblages decreased along the gradient represented by management without using Ivermectin and management where Ivermectin was used. Paracoprid beetles were the functional group that was most negatively affected in cattle farms with Ivermectin use. In cattle farms where Ivermectin was not used, there was a greater diversity and higher functional structure of dung beetle assemblages than in those where this veterinary medicinal product was used. Using Ivermectin generates short- and long-term effects on the richness, abundance, biomass, and functional groups of dung beetles in livestock systems in the Colombian Caribbean. Therefore, we suggest using integrated treatment management to prevent the recycling fauna from being affected.
Mario E. Favila, Jorge Ari Noriega, Pedro Giovâni da Silva, and Vanesca Korasaki
Frontiers Media SA
Agasthya Thotagamuwa, Jorge Ari Noriega, Sarah Webb, Paul Weston, Bernard M. Doube, Valerie Caron, Patrick Gleeson, Shaun A. Forgie, Mario E. Favila, Geoffrey Burgess,et al.
Schweizerbart
Lucrecia Arellano, Jorge Ari Noriega, Ilse J. Ortega-Martínez, José D. Rivera, César M. A. Correa, Andrés Gómez-Cifuentes, Alfredo Ramírez-Hernández, and Felipe Barragán
Frontiers Media SA
Dung beetles are one of the most representative groups of insects associated with livestock, as they take advantage of the manure of livestock for food and reproduction. They have been widely used as a bio-indicator group to evaluate their responses to land-use change and other environmental disturbances by analyzing species diversity at different spatial and temporal scales. However, the impacts of livestock management practices, forms, and history on dung beetle diversity are still poorly understood. This paper is an exhaustive and systematic review of the existing peer-reviewed and indexed literature on the taxonomic diversity (species richness and composition), functional diversity, and ecological functions of dung beetles from different provinces and biogeographic domains in tropical grazing lands of the Neotropics. We analyzed the timeline of the studies conducted so far, and we detected increasing literature produced mainly in South America. We included the most frequent objectives, tendencies, software, and statistical analyses. Given the significant heterogeneity of livestock landscapes in the Neotropics, the reviewed studies have conceptualized broadly what a pasture is, and the authors have used different descriptions of other grazing lands. Additionally, management data and livestock practices vary widely among studies, and management history is poorly described. In future research, it is relevant to include as much information as possible and the consequences of different livestock management practices on additional ecological attributes of dung beetle assemblages at different landscape scales (spatial and temporal) to predict how ecological processes change in Neotropical landscapes. Considering the importance of the data to be included in future work, we propose a collection format to unify the information collected in the field when conducting ecological studies in grazing lands. Moreover, we define a classification system to homogenize the features that distinguish the multiple tropical grazing lands reported in the literature. Preserving dung beetle diversity and associated ecological functions is urgent for maintaining ecosystem services in grazing lands. The challenge for research institutions is to continue filling gaps in knowledge to help those who work in transferring knowledge, to help ranchers exercise better options for more sustainable livestock farming, and to publish results for conservation decision-making.
Eder F. Mora-Aguilar, Alfonsina Arriaga-Jiménez, César M. A. Correa, Pedro Giovâni da Silva, Vanesca Korasaki, Pablo A. López-Bedoya, Malva Isabel Medina Hernández, José D. Pablo-Cea, Renato Portela Salomão, Gorky Valencia,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
IntroductionThe standardization of sampling protocols is imperative for robustly studying any taxonomic group. Replicable methods allow the comparison of data between different spatial and temporal studies. In the case of dung beetles, one of the best-studied indicator groups in analyses of environmental disturbance, a wide range of collection methodologies are used, from basic pitfall traps to more complex or complementary methods such as mini-Winkler extractor. Also, different types of attractive baits, sampling effort, durations, and designs are used in dung beetle studies. Variations in methodological approaches are particularly noted in the Neotropics, which may be related to the vast number of biological strategies and behavior of dung beetles that inhabit this region. A lack of methodological unification for the Neotropical region makes a cross-sectional analysis of the information impossible.MethodsWe performed a compilation and analytical review of the existing literature for dung beetle sampling in the Neotropics, discussing the most used methodologies, their advantages and disadvantages, and specific cases in which particular models are more efficient.ResultsPitfall traps baited with human excrement are the most common sampling method, but there is a wide range of models and variations in the structure of this trap. The complementary effect generated by flight interception traps, light traps, and direct collections, particularly within microhabitats, is exciting for the potential of finding new species. Some methodologies, such as mini-Winkler extractor, fogging, or very specific baits, are infrequently used.DiscussionThere was a lack of inclusion of spatial and temporal variation among studies. Therefore, it is necessary to consider broader sampling windows, which include different spatial scales, seasons, and years. Finally, we propose a standard protocol for sampling dung beetles in the Neotropics, depending on each objective, and including a basic methodology for obtaining complete local inventories.
Santiago Villamarin-Cortez, Lacey Hankin, Stephanie Coronado, Jacob Macdonald, and Jorge Ari Noriega
Frontiers Media SA
IntroductionEcuador harbors an astounding number of ecosystems and species. However, anthropogenic land-use changes are the primary drivers of biodiversity loss in major taxonomic groups, especially insects. Among them, the Scarabaeinae subfamily containing dung beetles, is an excellent taxon for studying taxonomic and functional diversity, as they are relatively stable taxonomically and have a wide variety of ecological services. Their distribution is mainly influenced by biogeography and climate as their main ecological and environmental factors will allow us to quantify what aspects of diversity are being impacted under different circumstances and at different scales.MethodsTo understand the main of dung beetle distribution drivers, we analyzed a museum database from the National Institute of Biodiversity, Ecuador (INABIO) of over 5000 dung beetle specimens with 122 species collected throughout the country, we addressed the following questions: i) How does tribe distribution vary across climatic and elevational gradients? and ii) How does functional and taxonomic beta diversity vary across spatial scales? To address them, we focused on three main tribes: Canthonini, Coprini, and Phanaeini. We constructed GLM’s and niche-based models to estimate Ecuador’s distributions based on climate variables to explore potential predictor variables, using tree classification models, along with taxonomic and functional beta diversity across scales.ResultsThe main variables influencing dung beetle distribution were elevation, and precipitation. The Phanaeini niche model is significantly better at predicting dung beetle presence throughout Ecuador than Canthonini and Coprini. We found high turnover in functional groups at larger scales, suggesting that dung beetles show high levels of habitat specialization, which associates to our findings where taxonomic beta diversity was higher in the Amazon basin compared to the coastal region. This may be due to the higher rate of dung production in Amazonia. Our findings also suggest that dung beetles are not found in areas above 2000m, mainly because dung beetles are well adapted to warmer and moist climatic regions. Precipitation and elevation are consistently essential variables for predicting Canthonini and Coprini presence, while temperature explains Phanaeini presence. Low levels of species turnover at the regional scale may be because the total species richness in Ecuador is different, where divergence in taxonomic beta diversity between the two regions is an artifact of such differences in richness in Amazonia versus the coast, the distinction is also due to nonrandomly low taxonomic beta diversity levels in the coastal region.ConclusionsOur results provide an essential framework for evaluating potential dung beetle habitat and diversity at different scales; therefore, by identifying dung beetles’ diversity, combined with considerations of habitat fragmentation, human land-use alteration, and climate change, will be an important next step to inform better and prioritize dung beetle conservation efforts in other countries.
J. P. Correa-Cuadros, A. Gómez-Cifuentes, and J. A. Noriega
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Pablo A. López‐Bedoya, Mauricio Bohada‐Murillo, María Camila Ángel‐Vallejo, Livia Dorneles Audino, Adrian L. V. Davis, Geoff Gurr, and Jorge Ari Noriega
Wiley
Abstract Because of continuing degradation or deforestation in areas of undisturbed primary forest, there is a need to study the relative merit of strategies that mitigate their impacts on biodiversity and associated ecological functionality. Here, we provide a global synthesis of forest degradation or deforestation using 48 studies published in peer‐reviewed journals that use dung beetles as indicators given their sensitivity to anthropogenic disturbance and their relevance in performing essential ecological functions in terrestrial ecosystems. We evaluated forest cover associated with undisturbed primary forest degradation (i.e. degraded primary forest) and undisturbed primary forest deforestation (i.e. secondary forest, forestry plantations and forestry restoration implementation) on species richness, total abundance, biomass, functional groups' presence and ecological functions provided by dung beetles. Additionally, we determined whether if dung beetle responses to forest disturbances were geographically dependent. We found lower diversity and a decrease in ecological functions associated with all classes of disturbance in primary forest. However, the effects were less severe in the case of forest degradation compared to complete deforestation with natural regeneration of secondary forest, development of forest plantations or active forest restoration by planting indigenous trees. The Neotropical and Oriental regions are particularly vulnerable, given the elevated rates of undisturbed primary forest deforestation and its negative impact on their assemblages' diversity and ecological functions. Synthesis and applications. Our results show that efforts for the conservation of remaining undisturbed primary forests need to be prioritized, especially in tropical latitudes. However, in regions where primary forest conservation is not feasible, logging management programs in degraded primary forest may have a potential role in reducing negative impacts for dung beetle diversity and ecological functions. Moreover, we conclude that despite the negative effect of primary forest deforestation and implementation of secondary forest, forestry plantation and forestry restoration, they can be useful for partial recovery of diversity and ecological functions performed by dung beetles in areas lacking any primary forest (undisturbed or degraded) vegetation cover.
Candelaria Ortega-Echeverría and Jorge Ari Noriega
Coleopterists Society
Gimo M. Daniel, Jorge Ari Noriega, Pedro G. da Silva, Christian M. Deschodt, Catherine L. Sole, Clarke H. Scholtz, and Adrian L. V. Davis
Wiley
AbstractRegional biogeographical patterns result from a complex combination across habitat, climate and environmental variables. Biotic and abiotic variables strongly influence the diversity and spatial distribution patterns. However, very few studies analyse the close interaction and effect of environmental variables on diversity at fine spatiotemporal scales. In this study, we evaluated the influence of soil type, vegetation cover and temperature on species diversity and functional structure of dung beetle assemblages. Dung beetle species were sampled using pitfall traps baited with cattle dung from sandy and clay soils in open woodland and closed canopy areas in Mkhuze Game Reserve, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. We performed a PERMANOVA, a PERMDISP and an NMDS to analyse differences in species composition between soil and vegetation cover types. To test the effect of environmental variables on species richness and abundance, we performed a generalised least squares model. Lastly, we searched for nodes using a bipartite analysis to evaluate network’s potential modularity. We collected 1439 specimens comprising 27 species and 13 genera. Species composition differed between environmental variables. Soil type was the most important driver for changes in dung beetle species composition. Species richness and abundance were influenced by the interaction between soil type and vegetation cover. The combination of microenvironmental preferences potentially influenced the dung beetle assemblage diversity and functional structure. Combining all these preferences may act as a dilution mechanism of interspecific competition in saturated habitat conditions, reducing the number of species that potentially interact and generating a modular network structure of the assemblage.
Jorge Ari Noriega, Bruce Halliday, Paul Weston, Agasthya Thotagamuwa, and Geoff Gurr
Schweizerbart
Joaquín Calatayud, Joaquín Hortal, Jorge Ari Noriega, Ángel Arcones, Verónica R. Espinoza, Noemí Guil, and Jorge M. Lobo
Wiley
AbstractAimAdequate responses of species to climate changes require that thermal changes remain compatible across different key biological aspects (e.g. reproduction, feeding and development). However, limits of thermal compatibility to such biological aspects are largely unknown in extant ectotherm groups. To fill this gap, we studied the intraspecific congruence of thermal responses across biological aspects.LocationIberian Peninsula.TaxonScarabaeidae Dung beetles.MethodsWe studied the role of temperature in determining the diel, seasonal and geographical occurrences of 16 dung beetle species. We fitted polynomial GLMs of the abundance/occurrence of each species as a function of temperature and alternative predictors for each spatiotemporal scale, using deviance partitioning to explore the relative contribution of temperature. We used the fitted models to estimate realized thermal niche attributes at these three spatiotemporal scales, and assessed their intraspecific congruence through the correlation of niche attributes from different scales.ResultsWe found that temperature has relatively low—but not negligible—explanatory capacity at the three spatiotemporal scales, once alternative predictors are taken into account. More importantly, the estimated thermal responses were largely incongruent across scales, indicating that these species have multidimensional thermal niches.Main conclusionsThe multidimensionality of thermal niches entails that species’ adjustments to fulfil temperature requirements for one biological aspect (such as seasonal ontogenetic cycles) may result in detrimental effects on other elements (e.g. diel activity). These trade‐offs could expose individuals to inadequate temperatures at certain moments, reducing populations’ performance. Paradoxically, the weak effects of temperature we found may have severe consequences for species responses to warming if temperature regulates essential aspects of their biology in divergent ways.
Pablo A. López‐Bedoya, Tibor Magura, Felicity A. Edwards, David P. Edwards, José M. Rey‐Benayas, Gábor L. Lövei, and Jorge Ari Noriega
Wiley
Abstract Forestry plantations have been established globally to meet timber demands, often leading to the conversion of natural to artificial forests. Forestry plantations may support natural elements of forest biodiversity, but understanding their role in the maintenance of biodiversity is a crucial question. We performed a meta‐analysis of 48 studies to determine how forestry plantations relative to natural forests influence the species richness and abundance of three important coleopteran groups (i.e., ground beetles, rove beetles, and dung beetles), given their essential role in ecosystem functioning. We assessed whether beetle responses depended on taxonomic group, geographical location, native or exotic character of the planted tree species, and associated management characteristics (i.e., composition, size, age, and connectivity of the plantations). We found that forestry plantations negatively affected coleopteran species richness and abundance compared to natural forests. The negative impact was most severe in plantations with exotic tree species and located in tropical biomes. Species richness and abundance of beetles significantly increased with plantation age in native plantations but decreased in exotic ones. Also, small plantations close to native forest had higher beetle species richness and abundance than ones located far away from native forest. Stopping the conversion of natural forests to plantations, promoting the use of native tree species, and lengthening rotations are critical for allowing biodiversity recovery in forestry plantations, combined with a robust conservation strategy to protect threatened biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Catherine Casas, Naydu Pineda, Daniel Monroy, Emilio Realpe, and Jorge Ari Noriega
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Los escarabajos coprófagos son excelentes indicadores de la integridad ecológica de los ecosistemas, cumpliendo un rol funcional esencial en el reciclaje de nutrientes, fertilización y aireación del suelo. Sin embargo, se conoce muy poco acerca de los ensambles de escarabajos altoandinos y de su estacionalidad. Por lo anterior, se buscó entender la variación estacional de la estructura del ensamble y su efecto en la biomasa, se escogieron dos pastizales, en la Reserva Biológica Encenillo (Guasca-Cundinamarca). En cada uno se dispusieron diez trampas de caída distanciadas 50 m y cebadas con excremento durante 24 horas. Se realizaron tres réplicas en cada una de las tres épocas estudiadas (seca, transición y lluvias). Se registró una variación estacional significativa, demostrando que las especies están asociadas a la época de lluvias. Se encontraron diferencias significativas para la biomasa entre especies y por época. La especie con la mayor biomasa fue Homocopris achamas. Se evidencia que los ensambles de pastizales altoandinos son poco diversos, debido a la fuerte perturbación antrópica, las presiones asociadas con la altitud y a la misma dinámica evolutiva de estas regiones. La marcada estacionalidad de las especies registradas y la estrecha asociación con la época de lluvias concuerda con el patrón estacional que se registra en el Neotrópico. La fuerte variación estacional de la biomasa puede tener un fuerte impacto en la funcionalidad ecológica y los servicios ecosistémicos en este hábitat. Es necesario cuantificar a futuro el aporte funcional de las especies y su variación estacional, con miras a su conservación.
Roberta Souza de Moura, Jorge Ari Noriega, Ricardo Augusto Serpa Cerboncini, Fernando Zagury Vaz-de-Mello, and Louri Klemann Junior
Elsevier BV
Jorge Ari Noriega, Martí March‐Salas, Stephanie Castillo, Héctor García‐Q, Joaquín Hortal, and Ana M. C. Santos
Wiley
AbstractBiodiversity drives ecological functioning, ultimately providing ecosystem services. Ecosystem processes are favored by greater functional diversity, particularly when groups of functionally different species interact synergistically. Many of such functions are performed by insects, among which dung beetles stand out for their important role in dung decomposition. However, anthropogenic disturbances are negatively affecting their ecological dynamics and ecosystem services. We conducted a manipulative field study to evaluate the effect of human disturbance on dung beetle diversity (abundance, species richness, and functional group richness) and dung removal rates, comparing perturbed and conserved forests in three regions of Colombia (Caribbean, Andes, and Amazon). We also assess the relationship between dung beetle diversity and dung removal rates. Dung beetle diversity was assessed using pitfall traps, and specimens were measured and assigned to functional groups according to body size and dung relocation strategy. We used exclusion control units and experimental units to assess dung degradation with and without dung beetle activity and evaluate differences in removal rates between two dung removal strategies: paracoprids and telecoprids. Dung removal rates, abundance, and functional group richness were lower in perturbed forests compared to conserved forests. Dung removal increased with abundance, species richness, and functional group richness. Moreover, dung removal performed by telecoprids increased with species richness of telecoprids and paracoprids. Our results evidence a negative effect of human perturbation on dung beetle richness, abundance, and dung removal rates, and also that dung beetle diversity and functional group richness enhance dung removal rates.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
César M.A. Correa, Marco A. Lara, Anderson Puker, Jorge Ari Noriega, and Vanesca Korasaki
Elsevier BV