Preprint
Precipitation and tree biomass drive the diversity and functional composition of tropical rainforest cricket assemblages across climate and disturbance gradients
Authorea, Vol.7 October 2025
Atypon
2025
Abstract
Disturbance-driven changes in rainforest structure and environmental conditions can alter ecosystem functioning, yet the consequences for invertebrate communities - key contributors to decomposition, herbivory, and trophic interactions - are not fully understood, particularly in relation to structural changes in vegetation. We examined how climate, vegetation structure, and associated environmental gradients influence cricket communities (Orthoptera: Ensifera) in disturbed tropical rainforests of north Queensland, Australia. Using richness, abundance-weighted diversity, community ordination, and trait-based analyses, we assessed taxonomic and functional responses to variation in forest structure and climate. We used crickets as a model taxon due to their high local endemism, sensitivity to microhabitat conditions, and value as indicators of environmental change in tropical ecosystems. Species richness increased with precipitation and aboveground biomass, the latter reflecting differences in disturbance and forest recovery, and both explained the greatest variation in community composition. Trait–environment associations showed that flightlessness increased with elevation, tree density, and latitude. Acoustic species were associated with higher aboveground biomass, while smaller, non-acoustic species declined with biomass and elevation. These results show that climate and disturbance-driven changes in vegetation structure can influence invertebrate communities, producing functionally distinct assemblages with altered dispersal and acoustic signalling, and highlight the value of trait-based approaches for understanding biodiversity responses to environmental change.
Details
- Title
- Precipitation and tree biomass drive the diversity and functional composition of tropical rainforest cricket assemblages across climate and disturbance gradients
- Authors
- Charlotte Raven - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research CentreAndy G Howe - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research CentreDavid Rentz - James Cook UniversityEmma Mackintosh - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAndrew Marshall - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research CentreHelen Nahrung - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research Centre
- Publication details
- Authorea, Vol.7 October 2025
- Publisher
- Atypon
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.22541/au.175982962.25409489/v1
- Organisation Unit
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; Forest Industries Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991194445902621
- Output Type
- Preprint
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