Ecosystem process rates across SAFE project forest quality gradient

Examining rates at which vertebrate and invertebrate functional groups carry out 3 key ecosystem functions (seed removal, invertebrate predation and scavenging) and whether this changes across the SAFE project forest quality gradient. At second order sites (tree plots) within the SAFE project landscape, bait stations to test these three processes were set up. These consisted of 10 seeds (to test seed removal), live mealworm (to test invertebrate predation) or dead mealworm (to test scavenging). 3 bait stations for each ecosystem process set up in a triangle at the third order point (insect point). These consisted of baits attached to a plastic leaf. Each of these bait stations was assigned vertebrate exclusion treatment (wire cage), invertebrate exclusion (insect glue) or control (no exclusion). Data obtained from LIDAR used as a proxy for forest quality. This should help unravel how ecosystem process rates and the dominant functional group carrying out these processes may change as forests are degraded.Examining rates at which vertebrate and invertebrate functional groups carry out 3 key ecosystem functions (seed removal, invertebrate predation and scavenging) and whether this changes across the SAFE project forest quality gradient. At second order sites (tree plots) within the SAFE project landscape, bait stations to test these three processes were set up. These consisted of 10 seeds (to test seed removal), live mealworm (to test invertebrate predation) or dead mealworm (to test scavenging). 3 bait stations for each ecosystem process set up in a triangle at the third order point (insect point). These consisted of baits attached to a plastic leaf. Each of these bait stations was assigned vertebrate exclusion treatment (wire cage), invertebrate exclusion (insect glue) or control (no exclusion). Data obtained from LIDAR used as a proxy for forest quality. This should help unravel how ecosystem process rates and the dominant functional group carrying out these processes may change as forests are degraded.