Neotropical dry forests are among the most diverse and threatened ecosystems worldwide. The extent and knowledge of Neotropical dry forests are quite heterogeneous with forests located in the Ecuadorian province especially diverse, threatened and poorly studied. In this work, we review patterns and conservation status of biodiversity, ecosystem processes and human perception of tropical dry forest of the Ecuadorian province. We found that patterns of biodiversity, endemism and conservation status are generally poorly studied. Overall, these forests provide habitat for at least 900 species including trees, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. On average 18% of these species (range 6–25%) are endemic to the region and 25% (3–50%) are recognized as threatened. Little is known about groups such as invertebrates, fish, fungi, or herbaceous plants, and as well as about processes generating and maintaining critical ecosystem functions. Available literature points out the importance of positive ecological interactions such us plant–frugivore and plant–plant facilitation interactions in maintaining the regeneration dynamics of these forests. Faced by the formative state of knowledge about basic biodiversity patterns and ecological functions, the implementation of ecosystem risk assessment under the IUCN criteria for the Red List of Ecosystems may offer constructive means to organize, integrate and advance existing knowledge and conservation priorities for dry forests of the Ecuadorian province. With examples of existing conflicts between people and protected areas, we emphasize the importance of consultation and involvement of local communities in the development of conservation measures including new protected areas. Lastly, we reflect on some encouraging examples where ecosystem goods and services provided by these forests may be used in a sustainable manner, contributing to local communities’ income and preserving biodiversity. In this regard, we highlight how the interaction between research and innovation together with local management may lead to sustainable development and, thus, encourage these sectors to work together for the conservation of dry forests of the Ecuadorian province.

Jara-Guerrero, A. K., D. Maldonado-Riofrío, C. I. Espinosa, and D. H. Duncan. 2019. Beyond the blame game: a restoration pathway reconciles ecologists’ and local leaders’ divergent models of seasonally dry tropical forest degradation. Ecology and Society 24(4):22. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11142-240422

Given widespread habitat degradation and loss, reliable indicators are needed that provide a comprehensive assessment of community response to anthropogenic disturbance. The family Phyllostomidae (Order Chiroptera) has frequently been the focus of research evaluating bats’ response to habitat disturbance in seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs). However, few studies compare this family to the larger bat assemblage to assess its efficacy as a bioindicator. We compared community and species-specific attributes of understory phyllostomid and all understory bat species: (1) along a gradient of habitat disturbance within a human-modified SDTF landscape; and (2) between forest and riparian habitats within each disturbance level. We captured 290 individuals belonging to 13 species and 4 families. Phyllostomid species exhibited greater sensitivity to disturbance than the understory bat community as a whole based on richness and beta diversity. Both groups were more sensitive to disturbance in forest than riparian habitat, but phyllostomid species were more likely to be lost from highly disturbed forest habitat. The two dominant species declined in abundance with disturbance but variation in body condition was species-specific. These results suggest that Phyllostomidae are more effective indicators of human disturbance in SDTF than the understory bat community as a whole and evaluation of bats’ response to disturbance is best accomplished with a multifaceted approach.

Introducción: Los bosques tropicales estacionalmente secos están sujetos a procesos de degradación crónica que ponen en riesgo su diversidad. La ganadería intensiva dentro de los remanentes de bosque se plantea como una de las principales causas de estos procesos de degradación. Sin embargo, el ganado también podría estar cumpliendo el rol de dispersor de semillas para algunas especies. Objetivo: Evaluar el rol de las cabras en la dispersión de semillas de especies leñosas y las posibles consecuencias de su comportamiento alimenticio sobre la estructura de la vegetación. Métodos: Entre diciembre 2016 y junio 2017 se recolectaron fecas de corrales (N = 38) y parcelas de vegetación (N = 42) de tres localidades de bosque seco en el Suroccidente de Ecuador. Todas las semillas encontradas en las fecas (N = 13 326) se registraron e identificaron taxonómicamente. Para evaluar el efecto de la ingestión de semillas sobre la germinación, se estableció un experimento de siembra de semillas extraídas de fecas procedentes de corrales y semillas recolectadas directamente de la planta. Resultados: Las cabras dispersaron 10 especies leñosas, de las cuales al menos el 50 % son leguminosas. Las semillas de Acacia macracantha representaron más del 70 % de semillas presentes en fecas de cabra. El paso de semillas por el tracto digestivo de las cabras mejoró significativamente el porcentaje y velocidad de germinación en Albizia multiflora, Piscidia carthagenensis y Ziziphus thyrsiflora, mientras que en Choroleucon mangense y Prosopis juliflora no se obtuvo germinación. No encontramos una correlación entre la riqueza de árboles establecidos y el número de especies encontradas en las fecas (χ2 = -0.23, P = 0.53). La composición de especies de semillas dispersadas en las fecas no mostró una dependencia de la localidad, a pesar de que la composición de la vegetación establecida cambia entre localidades. La abundancia de semillas en las fecas no mostró relación con la abundancia de árboles en la vegetación establecida. Conclusiones: Las cabras pueden suplir en cierta medida el rol de otros ungulados localmente extintos, mejorando la germinación de especies de leguminosas con testa dura. Sin embargo, su comportamiento alimenticio y la alta dominancia en la dispersión de ciertas especies puede tener importantes efectos en la estructura de la comunidad.