Ecosystem Services and Ecological Processes
Basin-Wide Effects of Game Harvest on Vertebrate Population Densities in Amazonian Forests: Implications for Animal-Mediated Seed DispersalBackgroundTropical forest ecosystems depend heavily on animal-plant interactions, particularly seed dispersal by vertebrates. However, widespread hunting in the Amazon has led to a significant decline in populations of many vertebrate species, especially large-bodied frugivores that are crucial for dispersing seeds of large-seeded plant species. While some vertebrate species are more sensitive to hunting than others, the cumulative impact of hunting across the Amazon basin remains poorly quantified. This study seeks to understand how subsistence hunting affects vertebrate populations and, by extension, the ecological services they provide, especially seed dispersal. Open access copy available |
Carbon Costs and Bushmeat Benefits of Hunting in Tropical ForestsBackgroundOverhunting is a widespread issue in tropical forests, leading to the depletion of frugivorous animals that play a crucial role in seed dispersal. The loss of these animals can shift tree species composition, ultimately reducing forest carbon storage. While hunting provides an essential source of protein and income for local communities, its long-term effects on carbon stocks remain underexplored. This study evaluates the trade-offs between the economic benefits of bushmeat hunting and the potential carbon costs due to defaunation-induced biomass loss. Understanding these dynamics is critical for integrating hunting management into climate change mitigation strategies such as REDD+. Open access copy available |
Wild Meat Consumption in Tropical Forests Spares a Significant Carbon Footprint from the Livestock Production SectorBackgroundWild meat consumption is a widespread practice among tropical forest communities, providing essential protein and micronutrients. However, discussions about hunting often focus on its ecological consequences, such as defaunation and biodiversity loss, rather than its potential climate benefits. This study examines the carbon footprint spared by consuming wild meat instead of livestock products, particularly bovine beef, which is a major driver of deforestation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By quantifying the GHG emissions that would result from substituting wild meat with domesticated animal protein, the study explores whether sustainable hunting can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts. Open access copy available |
Not Seeing the Forest for the Trees: The Oversight of Defaunation in REDD+ and Global Forest GovernanceBackgroundReducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global initiative aimed at mitigating climate change by preserving forest carbon stocks. While REDD+ has focused primarily on reducing deforestation, it largely ignores the role of defaunation—the loss of forest wildlife due to unsustainable hunting. Many tropical forests are increasingly experiencing "empty forest syndrome," where large frugivores and seed dispersers are being hunted out, leading to disruptions in seed dispersal and carbon sequestration. This study highlights how REDD+ policies fail to address the ecological role of forest fauna and argues that overlooking defaunation could compromise the long-term effectiveness of forest conservation efforts. Open access copy available |
Quantifying the Impacts of Defaunation on Natural Forest Regeneration in a Global Meta-AnalysisBackgroundIntact forests provide critical ecosystem services, such as carbon storage and climate regulation, which are heavily dependent on interactions between woody vegetation and animal species. However, defaunation is altering these interactions at a global scale. While previous studies have explored the effects of defaunation on individual ecosystems, a comprehensive global analysis quantifying its impact on natural forest regeneration has been lacking. This study conducts a meta-analysis to assess how vertebrate loss influences forest regeneration across multiple regions and ecosystems, identifying key taxonomic groups and ecological processes most affected by defaunation. Available with subscription or purchase |
Synergistic Effects of Seed Disperser and Predator Loss on Recruitment Success and Long-Term Consequences for Carbon Stocks in Tropical RainforestsBackgroundDefaunation—the loss of animal species due to hunting, habitat destruction, and other anthropogenic activities—has far-reaching consequences for tropical forests. Large frugivores play a crucial role in seed dispersal, while seed predators influence recruitment success and plant population dynamics. Previous studies have primarily focused on how defaunation affects seed dispersal, often overlooking the role of seed predators and potential compensatory effects within ecosystems. This study examines how the simultaneous loss of seed dispersers and seed predators affects tree recruitment and long-term carbon storage in tropical forests. Open access copy available |
The Need for Carbon Finance Schemes to Tackle Overexploitation of Tropical Forest WildlifeBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Contrasting Effects of Defaunation on Aboveground Carbon Storage Across the Global TropicsBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Fungi and Insects Compensate for Lost Vertebrate Seed Predation in an Experimentally Defaunated Tropical ForestBackgroundDefaunation, primarily caused by overhunting, is known to disrupt critical plant-animal interactions such as seed dispersal and seed predation. This can have cascading effects on plant regeneration, species composition, and even carbon storage. While previous studies have focused on the negative consequences of losing vertebrate seed dispersers and predators, it remains unclear whether other organisms, such as fungi and insects, can compensate for these losses. This study explores whether the decline of large vertebrate seed predators in a tropical rainforest is offset by increased seed predation from non-vertebrate sources, specifically insects and fungi. Open access copy available |
Size-Related Differential Seed Predation in a Heavily Defaunated Neotropical Rain ForestBackgroundDefaunation, driven by hunting and habitat loss, disproportionately affects medium and large mammals, often leaving behind a residual community dominated by small rodents. This shift in mammal communities can alter seed predation dynamics and impact forest regeneration. In heavily defaunated areas like Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, small rodents have become the primary seed predators. This study investigates whether seed predation patterns differ based on seed size in a highly defaunated forest. Specifically, it examines whether small rodents preferentially consume small seeds while large-seeded species escape predation, potentially influencing seed germination and plant recruitment. Open access copy available |
