Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Minimal Invasive Method to Forecast the Effects of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Tropical Cave Beetle Communities

  • Ecology, Behavior and Bionomics
  • Published:
Neotropical Entomology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many tropical landscapes are changing rapidly, with uncertain outcomes for biodiversity, landscape function, and the corresponding landscape services. Therefore, monitoring and adaptively managing the drivers and consequences of landscape change while sustaining the production of essential resources have become research and policy priorities. In this perspective, we have applied a recent framework, the stochastic dynamic methodology (StDM), with the purpose of understanding the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on caves’ integrity using cave beetle communities (Coleoptera) as ecological indicators. The proposed method was preceeded by a generalized linear model for discriminating significant relationships between the selected indicators, the structural changes in the caves, and the epigean habitats associated. The obtained results showed different ecological trends in response to the environmental changes. Overall, the simulation results seem to demonstrate the StDM reliability in determining the effects of habitat dynamics, that is, the expansion of agricultural activities, in areas near the caves in the structure of cave beetle communities. The applied method, based on universal information-theoretic principles, can be easily implemented and interpreted by environmental managers and decision makers, enabling anticipating impacts and supporting the development of measures aimed at minimizing the identified problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
Fig 5
Fig 6
Fig 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akaike H (1974) A new look at the statistical model identification. IEEE Trans Autom Control 19:716–723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson D, Burnham K, Thompson W (2000) Null hypothesis testing: problems, prevalence, and an alternative. J Wildl Manag 64:912–923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andreasen JK, O’Neill RV, Noss R, Slosser NC (2001) Considerations for the development of a terrestrial index of ecological integrity. Ecol Indic 1:21–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastos R, Santos M, Ramos JA, Vicente J, Guerra C, Alonso J, Honrado J, Ceia RS, Timóteo S, Cabral JA (2012) Testing a novel spatially-explicit dynamic modelling approach in the scope of the laurel forest management for the endangered Azores bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina) conservation. Biol Conserv 147:243–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolliger J, Lischke H, Green DG (2005) Simulating the spatial and temporal dynamics of landscapes using generic and complex models. Ecol Complex 2:107–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabecinha E, Cortes R, Cabral JA (2004) Performance of a stochastic-dynamic modelling methodology for running waters ecological assessment. Ecol Model 175:303–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cajaiba RL (2014) Morcegos (Mammalia, Chiroptera) em cavernas no município de Uruará, Pará, norte do Brasil. Biota Amazon 4:81–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cajaiba RL, Oliveira FC (2014) Comunidade de Coleoptera de sete cavernas no município de Uruará-PA, Brasil. Rev Eletroni Biol 7:17–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Cajaiba RL, Perico E, Cabral JA, Santos, M (2015) Assessing the potential role of ground beetles (Coleoptera) as ecological indicators in tropical ecosystems: A review. In: Stack C (ed). Beetles: Biodiversity, ecology and role in the environment. Nova Science Publishers, pp. 51–84

  • Christman MC, Culver DC, Madden MK, White D (2005) Patterns of endemism of the eastern North American cave fauna. J Biogeogr 32:1441–1452

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowther J (1987) Ecological observations in tropical Karst Terrain, West Malaysia. II. Rainfall interception, litterfall and nutrient cycling. J Biogeogr 2:145–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Culver DC, Pipan T (2009) The biology of caves and other subterranean habitats. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushman SA, McGarigal K, Nell MC (2008) Parsimony in landscape metrics: strength, universality and consistency. Ecol Indic 8:691–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fagan WF, Lutscher F, Schneider K (2007) Population and community consequences of spatial subsidies derived from central-place foraging. Am Nat 170:902–915

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira RL, Horta LCS (2001) Natural and human impacts on invertebrate communities in Brazilian caves. Rev Bras Biol 61:7–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira RL, Martins RP (1998) Diversity and distribuition of spider associated with Bat Guano Piles in Morrinho Cave (Bahia State, Brazil). Divers Distrib 4:235–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira RL, Martins RP (2009) Mapping subterranean resources: the cave invertebrates distribution as indicator of food availability. Zoociências 11:119–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurvich C, Tsai C (1989) Regression and time series model in small samples. Biometrika 76:297–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibge-Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (2010) Censo Demográfico 2010. http://www.igbe.gov.br. Accessed 10 Jan 2012

  • Jasinska EJ, Knott B, McComb AJ (1996) Root mats in groundwater: a fauna-rich cave habitat. J N Am Benthol Soc 15:508–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jørgensen SE (2008) Overview of the model types available for development of ecological models. Ecol Model 215:3–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimberling DN, Karr JR, Fore LS (2001) Measuring human disturbance using terrestrial invertebrates in the shrub-steppe of eastern Washington (USA). Ecol Indic 1:63–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li D, Jackson RR (1996) Prey preferences of Portia fimbriata, an araneophagic, web-building jumping spider (Araneae: Salticidae) from Queensland. J Insect Behav 9:613–642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendonza GA, Prabhu R (2005) Combining participatory modelling and multicriteria for community based forest management. For Ecol Manag 207:145–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Hara RB, Kotze DJ (2010) Do not log-transform count data. Methods Ecol Evol 1:118–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce JL, Venier LA, McKee J, Pedlar J, McKenney D (2003) Influence of habitat and microhabitat on carabid (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages in four stand types. Can Entomol 135:337–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peck SB, Thayer MK (2003) The cave-inhabiting rove beetles of the United States (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae; excluding Aleocharinae and Pselaphinae): diversity and distributions. J Cave Karst Stud 65:3–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Rykken JJ, Capen DE, Mahabir SP (1997) Ground beetles as indicators of land type diversity in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Conserv Biol 11:522–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos M, Cabral JA (2004) Development of a stochastic dynamic model for ecological indicators’ prediction in changed Mediterranean agroecosystems of north-eastern Portugal. Ecol Indic 3:285–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos M, Freitas R, Crespi AL, Hughes SJ, Cabral JA (2011) Predicting trends of invasive plants richness using local socio-economic data: an application in North Portugal. Environ Res 11:960–966

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos M, Bastos R, Cabral JA (2013) Converting conventional ecological datasets in dynamic and dynamic spatially explicit simulations: current advances and future applications of the Stochastic Dynamic Methodology (StDM). Ecol Model 258:91–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzkopf L, Rylands AB (1989) Primate species richness in relation to habitat structure in Amazonian rainforest fragments. Biol Conserv 48:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sessegolo GC, Rocha LFS, Lima FF (2006) Conhecendo cavernas: Região metropolitana de Curitiba. GEEP-Açungui, Curitiba

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva FH, Favero S, Sabino J, Garnés SJA (2011) Índices bióticos para avaliação da qualidade ambiental em trechos do rio Correntoso, Pantanal do Negro, Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Acta Sci 33:289–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Sket B (1999) The nature of biodiversity in hypogean waters and how it is endangered. Biodivers Conserv 8:1319–1338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slaney DP, Weinstein P (1997) Conservation of cave fauna: more than just bats. Mem Mus Victoria 56:591–596

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith MJ, Burns GL (2011) Australia’s crystalline heritage: issues in cave management at Jenolan Caves. Helictite 40:27–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Sotherton NW (1984) The distribution and abundance of predatory arthropods overwintering on farmland. Ann Appl Biol 105:423–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Souza-Silva M, Martins RP, Ferreira RL (2011) Trophic dynamics in a neotropical limestone cave. Subterr Biol 9:127–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Souza-Silva M, Bernardi LFO, Martins RP, Ferreira RL (2012) Transport and consumption of organic detritus in a neotropical limestone cave. Acta Carsol 41:139–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Souza-Silva M, Martins RP, Ferreira RL (2015) Cave conservation priority index to adopt a rapid protection strategy: a case study in Brazilian Atlantic rain forest. Environ Manag 55:279–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor EL, Ferreira RL (2012) Determinants on the structure of an aquatic invertebrate community in a neotropical limestone cave. Rev Bras Espel 2:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SJ, Krejca JK, Denight ML (2005) Foraging range and habitat use of Ceuthophilus secretus (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae), a key trogloxene in central Texas cave communities. Am Midl Nat 154:97–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JB, Poff NL (2006) Informatics software for the ecologist’s toolbox: a basic example. Ecol Inf 1:325–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolters V (2000) Invertebrate control of soil organic matter stability. Biol Fertil Soils 31:1–19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zagmajster M, Culver DC, Sket B (2008) Species richness patterns of obligate subterranean beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) in a global biodiversity hotspot-effect of scale and sampling intensity. Divers Distrib 14:95–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Mônica Ruediger for the revision of the manuscript, Gilmar Milanski for logistics support, Dr. Rodrigo Ferreira (UFLA) for his valuable contributions to the manuscript, and the colleagues from the Laboratory of Applied Ecology—LEA of Universidade de Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. We also thank the Brucutu Organization, particularly the biologists Nilson Chaves and Ricardo Kael and geographer Wilson Nascimento for assistance in the field works.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Univates, Rua Avelino Tallini, 95900-000, Lajeado, RS, Brasil

    R L Cajaiba

  2. Lab of Applied Ecology, Univ Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

    J A Cabral & M Santos

Authors
  1. R L Cajaiba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J A Cabral
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M Santos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R L Cajaiba.

Additional information

Edited by Marcelo Rossi – Unifesp

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Online Supplementary Material S1

(PDF 302 kb)

Online Supplementary Material S2

(PDF 25 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cajaiba, R.L., Cabral, J.A. & Santos, M. A Minimal Invasive Method to Forecast the Effects of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Tropical Cave Beetle Communities. Neotrop Entomol 45, 139–147 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-015-0349-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-015-0349-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation