Journal article
Stream ecosystem integrity is impaired by logging and shifting agriculture in a global megadiversity center (Sarawak, Borneo)
Science of the Total Environment, Vol.437, pp.83-90
2012
Abstract
In common with most of Borneo, the Bakun region of Sarawak is currently subject to heavy deforestation mainly due to logging and, to a lesser extent, traditional slash-and-burn farming practices. This has the potential to affect stream ecosystems, which are integrators of environmental change in the surrounding terrestrial landscape. This study evaluated the effects of both types of deforestation by using functional and structural indicators (leaf litter decomposition rates and associated detritivores or 'shredders', respectively) to compare a fundamental ecosystem process, leaf litter decomposition, within logged, farmed and pristine streams. Slash-and-burn agricultural practices increased the overall rate of decomposition despite a decrease in shredder species richness (but not shredder abundance) due to increased microbial decomposition. In contrast, decomposition by microbes and invertebrates was slowed down in the logged streams, where shredders were less abundant and less species rich. This study suggests that shredder communities are less affected by traditional agricultural farming practices, while modern mechanized deforestation has an adverse effect on both shredder communities and leaf breakdown. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Details
- Title
- Stream ecosystem integrity is impaired by logging and shifting agriculture in a global megadiversity center (Sarawak, Borneo)
- Authors
- T Jinggut (Author) - Monash University Malaysia, MalaysiaCatherine M Yule (Author) - Monash University Malaysia, MalaysiaL Boyero (Author) - James Cook University
- Publication details
- Science of the Total Environment, Vol.437, pp.83-90
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.07.062
- ISSN
- 0048-9697
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450882002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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