Litter fauna communities and litter decomposition in a selectively logged and an unmanaged pine-oak forest in Mexico

Abstract

We analyzed the effect of selective logging on litter fauna parameters (abundance, richness and diversity) and litter decomposition (remaining dry mass) over time in a temperate pine-oak (Pinus spp.-Quercus spp.) forest in central México. An unmanaged and a managed forest were compared using a litter bag field experiment. Litter fauna was quantified to the levels of families and morphospecies. Litter fauna abundance, richness and diversity were higher in the unmanaged forest. The remaining dry mass of litter and the decomposition rates were statistically different between the two forests, suggesting that selective logging practices reduce decomposition processes. The remaining dry mass of litter was negatively correlated with fauna richness in the managed forest, and with both morphospecies richness and diversity at the unmanaged forest; indicating that as biodiversity increases, more litter might be decomposed. Both litter fauna diversity and the litter decay processes were better preserved in the unmanaged site, as compared with the selective logged forest. Our study reveals that leaving some pine-oak forest patches unmanaged is important for the protection of their biodiversity.