(New publication) Tropical forest clearance impacts biodiversity and function, whereas logging changes structure

Tropical forests are vital for supporting biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services, but they are highly vulnerable to degradation and conversion to other land uses, such as timber extraction and agriculture. Understanding the full environmental impacts of logging and forest conversion in the tropics is crucial for identifying priority habitats for conservation and restoration, as well as for land-use decisions.

The study, led by a team from the University of Oxford, examined 82 metrics describing various aspects of the structure, biodiversity, and functioning of tropical forest ecosystems. The research was conducted in three areas of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, encompassing old-growth forests, moderately or heavily logged forests, and previously logged forests converted to oil palm plantations. This comprehensive assessment provides the most detailed evaluation to date of how logging and forest conversion affect tropical forest ecosystems.

Impacts of different degrees and types of disturbance when old-growth forest is moderately logged, highly logged, and converted to oil palm. Source: Charles J. Marsh et al.

The study found that converting tropical forests to oil palm plantations results in significant losses in biodiversity and ecological functions. These disruptions extend to ecosystem services, as changes in food resources and microclimates threaten the survival of numerous species. Although logging alters forest structure, much of the biodiversity and functional diversity remains intact. Logged forests continue to play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem resilience and should be protected to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

By considering a broad range of ecological properties, this study offers valuable insights for decision making regards to land management, habitat conservation, and future research.

Read the full paper here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf9856