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The use of traits to interpret responses to large scale - edge effects: a study of epigaeic beetle assemblages across a Eucalyptus forest and pine plantation edge

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Abstract

Context

Edge effects due to habitat loss and fragmentation have pervasive impacts on many natural ecosystems worldwide.

Objective

We aimed to explore whether, in tandem with the resource-based model of edge effects, species feeding-guild and flight-capacity can help explain species responses to an edge.

Methods

We used a two-sided edge gradient that extended from 1000 m into native Eucalyptus forest to 316 m into an exotic pine plantation. We used generalised additive models to examine the continuous responses of beetle species, feeding-guild species richness and flight-capable group species richness to the edge gradient and environmental covariates.

Results

Phytophagous species richness was directly related to variation in vegetation along the edge gradient. There were more flight-capable species in Eucalyptus forest and more flightless species in exotic pine plantation. Many individual species exhibited multiple-peaked edge-profiles.

Conclusions

The resource based model for edge effects can be used in tandem with traits such as feeding-guild and flight-capacity to understand drivers of large scale edge responses. Some trait-groups can show generalisable responses that can be linked with drivers such as vegetation richness and habitat structure. Many trait-group responses, however, are less generalisable and not explained by easily measured habitat variables. Difficulties in linking traits with resources along the edge could be due to unmeasured variation and indirect effects. Some species’ responses reached the limits of the edge gradient demonstrating the need to examine edge effects at large scales, such as kilometres.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Joanne McMillan, David Portway, Brett Howland, Kika Tuff, Laura Rayner, Andrew King and Mandy King for invaluable help in the field and/or lab. We thank Cate Lemann, Tom Weir and Beth Mantle from the Australian National Insect Collection at CSIRO, Canberra for providing access to the beetle collection and for help identifying the beetle species. Thank you to John Stein and Laura Rayner for their help producing a map of the study area. Thank you to anonymous reviewers for advice on draft manuscripts. Thank you to Raphael Didham for comments on the experimental design and draft manuscripts, Saul Cunningham for the use of lab resources during the sorting of the collection, and Joanne McMillan, Philip Barton, Claire Foster, Karen Ikin and Laura Rayner for advice throughout the study including insightful comments on draft manuscripts. Samples were collected under NSW National Parks Permit Number S12588 and NSW State Forests Permit Number XX50789.

Author contribution

M.E., B.M., D.D., K.D. and S.B. conceived the ideas, M.E. and J.M. collected the data, M.E. analysed the data, M.E. led the writing, and D.D., S.B., and K.D. made substantial contributions to manuscript revision.

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Correspondence to Maldwyn John Evans.

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Evans, M.J., Banks, S.C., Davies, K.F. et al. The use of traits to interpret responses to large scale - edge effects: a study of epigaeic beetle assemblages across a Eucalyptus forest and pine plantation edge. Landscape Ecol 31, 1815–1831 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0364-z

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