Effects of stock grazing on the ground invertebrate fauna of woodland remnants

Habitat fragmentation can leave formerly widespread habitat types represented by only small habitat ‘islands’, and the conservation of these remnants is frequently compromised by ongoing disturbance. In northern Victoria, grazing of woodland remnants by sheep and cattle has profound effects on the vegetation structure of the woodland by removing understorey and ground vegetation. To investigate the effects of grazing pressure on remnant grey box Eucalyptus microcarpa woodland in northern Victoria, we surveyed the ground invertebrate fauna in ungrazed woodland remnants, grazed woodland remnants, and grazed pasture. The number of invertebrates caught increased from ungrazed woodland to grazed woodland to pasture, but this increase was due primarily to the most abundant orders (Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Aranaea), and two abundant taxa characteristic of pasture (Orthoptera and Dermaptera). In contrast, most of the less abundant orders followed the opposite pattern, and were caught in higher numbers (and as a higher proportion of the total catch) in ungrazed woodland. Ungrazed woodland had a more diverse ground invertebrate fauna, most likely due to the greater diversity of food and habitat resources provided by the less disturbed vegetation. The differences in invertebrate communities corresponded to differences in vegetation and litter layers. The reduction in biodiversity of remnants due to grazing has implications for conservation management of remnant woodland in agricultural landscapes.     

Animal-habitat relationships in the Knysna Forest,South Africa: discrimination between forest types by birds and invertebrates

Summary Effects of forest plant species composition and physiognomy on bird and invertebrate communities were investigated in three discrete, relatively undisturbed forest types along a dry-wet soil moisture gradient. Using discriminant function analysis, a 100% floristic and a 78% vegetation structural discrimination were obtained between the three forest types. However, the bird communities of these different forest types were very similar in species composition, and had much lower densities than those normally encountered in other, superficially similar forests. Although an 81% discrimination between forest types was attained through analysis of ground surface invertebrates, measures of litter and aerial invertebrate abundance were also of limited use as discriminators. Historical and biogeographic factors, as well as the low nutritional levels in the soil and vegetation may be the causes of low bird and invertebrate density and diversity. It is concluded that floristics and vegetation structure have, at best, a minor influence on bird community structure, and possibly also on invertebrate community structure in the Knysna Forest.     

Responses of litter invertebrate communities to litter manipulation in a Japanese conifer plantation

We examined how the litter invertebrate communities were affected by the temporal changes in the mass and structural complexity of the litter resources by adding and removing litter on the forest floor of a temperate conifer plantation (Cryptomeria japonica) in Japan. We showed that litter mass and depth in the litter-addition (L+) plots changed rapidly into a steady-state condition similar to those in the control plots, mainly due to accelerated decomposition processes during the rainy season. Higher area-based densities of litter invertebrates in the L+ plots, similar mass-based densities between the L+ and control plots, and significant positive correlations between litter mass and the number of individuals implied that the abundance of litter invertebrates would be governed by litter mass rather than by the litter depth. Many litter invertebrates including detritivores were collected even in the litter-removal (L−) area. The relative abundances of invertebrate predators collecting pitfall traps were higher in the L− plots and lower in the L+ plots compared to those in the control plots, whereas those collecting Tullgren funnels were higher in the L+ plots than in the control plots. In the L+ plots, the range of variation in the community compositions among the samples decreased significantly over time in response to a drastic decrease in litter mass, in contrast to the control plots, which showed a relatively constant community composition during the study period. Our litter manipulation experiment reveals some of the mechanisms responsible for maintaining an equilibrium state of forest-floor litter mass and for the responses of litter invertebrate communities to temporal changes in the litter.     

Impact of the introduced yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes on Bird Island, Seychelles

The introduced yellow crazy ant or long-legged ant Anoplolepis gracilipes was first reported in Seychelles in 1969 and now occurs on at least nine islands in the Central Seychelles. We describe the yellow crazy ant's effects on vegetation and invertebrate communities on one of these, Bird Island; in 2000, Anoplolepis (first reported in 1991) occurred there at densities at least 80 times higher than on other islands in the Central Seychelles. They were associated with high densities of coccid scale insects on foliage, especially of the native tree Pisonia grandis, in some instances causing tree death. Yellow crazy ants on Bird Island also significantly affected invertebrate communities on foliage and on the ground, both in terms of taxonomic composition and the density of specific taxa, apparently causing the local exclusion of some invertebrates.     

Does Facilitation of Faunal Recruitment Benefit Ecosystem Restoration? An Experimental Study of Invertebrate Assemblages in Wetland Mesocosms

We used wetland mesocosms (1) to experimentally assess whether inoculating a restored wetland site with vegetation/sediment plugs from a natural wetland would alter the development of invertebrate communities relative to unaided controls and (2) to determine if stocking of a poor invertebrate colonizer could further modify community development beyond that due to simple inoculation. After filling mesocosms with soil from a drained and cultivated former wetland and restoring comparable hydrology, mesocosms were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: control (a reference for unaided community development), inoculated (received three vegetation/sediment cores from a natural wetland), and stocked + inoculated (received three cores and were stocked with a poorly dispersing invertebrate group—gastropods). All mesocosms were placed 100 m from a natural wetland and allowed to colonize for 82 days. Facilitation of invertebrate colonization led to communities in inoculated and stocked + inoculated treatments that contrasted strongly with those in the unaided control treatment. Control mesocosms had the highest taxa richness but the lowest diversity due to high densities and dominance of Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae). Community structure in inoculated and stocked + inoculated mesocosms was more similar to that of a nearby natural wetland, with abundance more evenly distributed among taxa, leading to diversity that was higher than in the control treatment. Inoculated and stocked + inoculated communities were dominated by non‐aerial invertebrates, whereas control mesocosms were dominated by aerial invertebrates. These results suggest that facilitation of invertebrate recruitment does indeed alter invertebrate community development and that facilitation may lead to a more natural community structure in less time under conditions simulating wetland restoration.     

Preliminary trial of woody debris addition on the return of invertebrates to restored bauxite mines in the jarrah forest of Western Australia

Woody debris is an important component of forest ecosystems, but its use in mine site restoration has been limited and it can be slow to build up naturally. A new technique of spreading snipped wood waste onto restored mine pits prior to seeding has been subjected to a preliminary trial at Alcoa's Huntly mine site, in the northern jarrah forest of south‐western Western Australia. We examined whether the application of snipped wood during restoration encourages the return of ground‐ and litter‐dwelling invertebrates without negatively suppressing plant establishment. Invertebrates were sampled across three seasons from experimental plots treated with 0 t/ha (control), 100 t/ha or 300 t/ha snipped wood waste. Invertebrate communities in treatment plots comprised higher numbers and diversity of wood and litter decomposers such as mites, Diplopoda, Dermaptera and Blattodea than control plots. Plant responses were variable, with wood treatment resulting in lower tree and overall plant density but having no effects on plant species richness or plant cover. Wood treatment plots were associated with higher soil nitrogen than controls. We hypothesise that the use of a fine wood treatment at the lowest rate of 100 t/ha (approximately 30% wood cover) is likely to enhance the diversity and abundance of invertebrates in restored areas, with minimal effect on plant establishment. Encouraging a diverse invertebrate fauna to recolonise restoration should help speed up succession and ecosystem functions such as decomposition and nutrient cycling, and more quickly return the land to previous ecosystem values.     

Grassland invertebrate assemblages in managed landscapes: Effect of host plant and microhabitat architecture

Abstract Grasslands are often considered as two‐dimensional habitats rather than complex, multilayered habitats. However, native grasslands are complex habitats, with multiple layers of annual and perennial grasses, sedges, shrubs and mosses. Vegetation complexity, including plant type, quality and three‐dimensional structure is important for providing a variety of food and habitat resources for insects. Grazing by domestic livestock can affect these processes through the loss or fragmentation of habitats, as well as altering the vertical and horizontal vegetation structure. This study aimed to investigate the role of host plants and microhabitat architecture for determining foliage invertebrate assemblages. Different plant species supported distinct invertebrate assemblages and less complex host plants supported fewer invertebrate individuals and species. Manipulations of plant architecture changed the species composition of invertebrates, with most species found in more complex vegetation. This study illustrates the importance of host diversity and pasture complexity for invertebrate communities. Management practices that encourage a heterogeneous environment with diverse and structurally complex pastures should also sustain a more diverse and functional invertebrate assemblage.     

Effects of eucalyptus afforestation on leaf litter dynamics and macroinvertebrate community structure of streams in Central Portugal

To test the hypothesis whether afforestation with Eucalyptus globulus affects litter dynamics in streams and the structure of macroinvertebrate aquatic communities, we compared streams flowing through eucalyptus and deciduous forests, paying attention to: (i) litterfall dynamics, (ii) accumulation of organic matter, (iii) processing rates of two dominant leaf species: eucalyptus and chestnut, and (iv) macroinvertebrate community structure. The amount of allochthonous inputs was similar in both vegetation types, but the seasonality of litter inputs differed between eucalyptus and natural deciduous forests. Eucalyptus forest streams accumulated more organic matter than deciduous forest streams. Decomposition of both eucalyptus and chestnut leaf litter was higher in streams flowing through deciduous forests. The eucalyptus forest soils were highly hydrophobic resulting in strong seasonal fluctuations in discharge. In autumn the communities of benthic macroinvertebrates of the two stream types were significantly different. Deciduous forest streams contained higher numbers of invertebrates and more taxa than eucalyptus forest streams. Mixed forest streams (streams flowing through eucalyptus forests but bordered by deciduous vegetation) were intermediate between the two other vegetation types in all studied characteristics (accumulation of benthic organic matter, density and diversity of aquatic invertebrates). These results suggest that monocultures of eucalyptus affect low order stream communities. However, the impact may be attenuated if riparian corridors of original vegetation are kept in plantation forestry.     

Long‐term fire exclusion and ant community structure in an Australian tropical savanna: congruence with vegetation succession

Aim To examine the extent to which succession from tropical savanna to rain forest in the long‐term absence of fire is matched by successional changes in ant communities. This is done by describing ant community responses to 23 years of fire exclusion in a northern Australian tropical savanna, with a particular focus on the extent of colonization by specialist rain forest taxa. Location Solar Village, near Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory. Methods Ants were sampled within 12 plots located inside (‘unburnt’– protected from fire for 23 years) and outside (burnt every 1–2 years) Solar Village in ridge and slope habitat dominated by Eucalyptus spp. The litter, ground‐foraging and arboreal faunas were sampled separately, using Berlese funnels, unbaited pitfall traps and baited pitfall traps attached to tree trunks, respectively. Each species was assigned a forest‐association score ranging from 0 (open savanna species) to 3 (specialist forest species) based on their known habitat preferences in the region. Results A total of 85 ant species from 35 genera were recorded, with multivariate analysis demonstrating distinct litter, ground and arboreal communities. Ant communities also varied substantially with topographic position, which interacted strongly with fire exclusion. A total of 72 species were recorded in burnt habitat, compared with only 45 in unburnt, and the number of ant species records was also about twice as high in burnt compared with unburnt habitat. Fire exclusion has resulted in a dramatic increase in forest‐associated taxa (those occurring in forest and denser, but rarely open, savanna), with such species representing 51% of species records in unburnt habitat compared with 19% in burnt. However, only five specialist forest species were recorded, representing < 1% of total ant records. Main conclusions Fire exclusion at Solar Village has markedly increased the prevalence of forest‐associated ant species, but has led to only very minor incursions by specialist rain forest ant taxa. These responses match very closely those of the vegetation.     

Enhancing the diversity of breeding invertebrates within field margins of intensively managed grassland: Effects of alternative management practices

Severe declines in biodiversity have been well documented for many taxonomic groups due to intensification of agricultural practices. Establishment and appropriate management of arable field margins can improve the diversity and abundance of invertebrate groups; however, there is much less research on field margins within grassland systems. Three grassland field margin treatments (fencing off the existing vegetation “fenced”; fencing with rotavation and natural regeneration “rotavated” and; fencing with rotavation and seeding “seeded”) were compared to a grazed control in the adjacent intensively managed pasture. Invertebrates were sampled using emergence traps to investigate species breeding and overwintering within the margins. Using a manipulation experiment, we tested whether the removal of grazing pressure and nutrient inputs would increase the abundance and richness of breeding invertebrates within grassland field margins. We also tested whether field margin establishment treatments, with their different vegetation communities, would change the abundance and richness of breeding invertebrates in the field margins. Exclusion of grazing and nutrient inputs led to increased abundance and richness in nearly all invertebrate groups that we sampled. However, there were more complex effects of field margin establishment treatment on the abundance and richness of invertebrate taxa. Each of the three establishment treatments supported a distinct invertebrate community. The removal of grazing from grassland field margins provided a greater range of overwintering/breeding habitat for invertebrates. We demonstrate the capacity of field margin establishment to increase the abundance and richness in nearly all invertebrate groups in study plots that were located on previously more depauperate areas of intensively managed grassland. These results from grassland field margins provide evidence to support practical actions that can inform Greening (Pillar 1) and agri‐environment measures (Pillar 2) of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Before implementing specific management regimes, the conservation aims of agri‐environment measures should be clarified by defining the target species or taxonomic groups.     

How do patch quality and spatial context affect invertebrate communities in a natural moss microlandscape?

Globally, moss associated invertebrates remain poorly studied and it is largely unknown to what extent their diversity is driven by local environmental conditions or the landscape context. Here, we investigated small scale drivers of invertebrate communities in a moss landscape in a temperate forest in Western Europe. By comparing replicate quadrats of 5 different moss species in a continuous moss landscape, we found that mosses differed in invertebrate density and community composition. Although, in general, richness was similar among moss species, some invertebrate taxa were significantly linked to certain moss species. Only moss biomass and not relative moisture content could explain differences in invertebrate densities among moss species. Second, we focused on invertebrate communities associated with the locally common moss species Kindbergia praelonga in isolated moss patches on dead tree trunks to look at effects of patch size, quality, heterogeneity and connectivity on invertebrate communities. Invertebrate richness was higher in patches under closed canopies than under more open canopies, presumably due to the higher input of leaf litter and/or lower evaporation. In addition, increased numbers of other moss species in the same patch seemed to promote invertebrate richness in K. praelonga, possibly due to mass effects. Since invertebrate richness was unaffected by patch size and isolation, dispersal was probably not limiting in this system with patches separated by tens of meters, or stochastic extinctions may be uncommon. Overall, we conclude that invertebrate composition in moss patches may not only depend on local patch conditions, in a particular moss species, but also on the presence of other moss species in the direct vicinity.     

The influence of introduced trout on the benthic communities of paired headwater streams in the Sierra Nevada of California

1. Non‐native trout have been stocked in streams and lakes worldwide largely without knowledge of the consequences for native ecosystems. Although trout have been introduced widely throughout the Sierra Nevada of California, U.S.A., fishless streams and their communities of native invertebrates persist in some high elevation areas, providing an opportunity to study the effects of trout introductions on natural fishless stream communities. 2. We compared algal biomass and cover, organic matter levels and invertebrate assemblages in 21 natural fishless headwater streams with 21 paired nearby streams containing stocked trout in Yosemite National Park. 3. Although environmental conditions and particulate organic matter levels did not differ between the fishless and trout streams, algal biomass (as chlorophyll a concentration) and macroalgal cover were, on average, approximately two times and five times higher, respectively, in streams containing trout. 4. There were no differences in the overall densities of invertebrates in fishless versus paired trout streams; however, invertebrate richness (after rarefaction), evenness, and Simpson and Shannon diversities were 10–20% higher in fishless than in trout streams. 5. The densities of invertebrates belonging to the scraper‐algivore and predator functional feeding guilds were higher, and those for the collector‐gatherer guild lower, in fishless than trout streams, but there was considerable variation in the effects of trout on specific taxa within functional feeding groups. 6. We found that the densities of 10 of 50 common native invertebrate taxa (found in more than half of the stream pairs) were reduced in trout compared to fishless streams. A similar number of rarer taxa also were absent or less abundant in the presence of trout. Many of the taxa that declined with trout were conspicuous forms (by size and behaviour) whose native habitats are primarily high elevation montane streams above the original range of trout. 7. Only a few taxa increased in the presence of trout, possibly benefiting from reductions in their competitors and predators by trout predation. 8. These field studies provide catchment‐scale evidence showing the selective influence of introduced trout on stream invertebrate and algal communities. Removal of trout from targeted headwater streams may promote the recovery of native taxa, community structure and trophic organisation.     

Predation of seabirds by invasive rats: multiple indirect consequences for invertebrate communities

Invasive species are a global problem but most studies have focused on their direct rather than indirect ecological effects. We studied litter and soil‐inhabiting invertebrate communities on 18 islands off northern New Zealand, to better understand the indirect ecological consequences of rat (Rattus) invasion. Nine islands host high densities of burrowing procellariid seabirds that transport large amounts of nutrients from the ocean to the land. The other nine have been invaded over the past 50–150 years by rat species that have severely reduced the density of seabirds by preying on eggs and chicks. Invaded islands had lower densities of seabird burrows but deeper forest litter than did the uninvaded islands, indicative of rats reducing disturbance effects of seabirds. However, despite deeper litter on the invaded islands, eight of the 19 orders of invertebrates that we measured were significantly less abundant on invaded islands. Furthermore, three soil‐inhabiting micro‐invertebrate groups that we measured were significantly less abundant on invaded islands. These differences probably result from rats thwarting transfer of resources by seabirds from the ocean to the land. We also investigated community‐level properties of each of three test groups of invertebrates (minute land snails, spiders and soil nematodes) to illustrate this process. Spiders were equally abundant on both groups of islands, but showed lower species richness on the invaded islands. The other two groups showed no difference in species richness with island invasion status, but were more abundant on uninvaded islands. Reduced abundance of soil nematodes on invaded islands provides strong evidence of indirect consequences of seabird reduction by rats, because nematodes are unavailable to rats as prey. We predict that if rats are eradicated from islands, components of below‐ground invertebrate dependent on seabird‐mediated soil conditions may take considerable time to recover because they require subsequent seabird recolonisation.     

Calcium concentration in leaf litter affects the abundance and survival of crustaceans in streams draining warm–temperate forests

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Vertical stratification of invertebrate assemblages in water-filled treeholes of a temperate deciduous forest

Water-filled treeholes provide temporal habitats and resources to detritus-based aquatic organisms in the aboveground forest strata. Treeholes are found at different vertical positions, and are often surrounded by dense understory vegetation, which may affect water volume and litter weight. Differences in water volume and litter weight are indicative of the habitat quantity and the quality of treehole communities. Therefore, in the present study, we used containers as artificial treeholes to examine the effects of these characteristics on treehole invertebrate assemblages in a broad-leaf deciduous forest in central-eastern Japan. We first generated two models: a direct-effect model that reflected the physical and chemical properties of treeholes (water volume, litter weight, and other measurable properties that might directly influence invertebrate survival and fitness); and an indirect-effect model that reflected the differences in vertical position and surrounding understory vegetation per se. We compared these models and found that species richness is better explained by the direct-effect model, whereas the indirect-effect model plausibly explains the differences in invertebrate abundances. Further analyses revealed that some species such as Tripteroides bambusa utilized lower treeholes, while higher treeholes had a greater abundance of Ceratopogonidae sp. A within dense understory vegetation. Our study demonstrates that treehole invertebrates are not only influenced by simple physicochemical properties, but also by ambient conditions. However, the response patterns were highly variable across species. Our approach provides insight for elucidating the key drivers of treehole detritivore diversity in vertically stratified environments.     

Relationships between management practices and ground‐active invertebrate biodiversity in New Zealand kiwifruit orchards

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Biodiversity of Belowground Invertebrates as an Indicator of Wet Meadow Restoration Success (Platte River, Nebraska)

Soil invertebrate communities are fundamental components of wet meadow ecosystems. We compared soil invertebrate biodiversity between restored and native wet meadows to assess the effectiveness of restoration practices. Biodiversity and biomass were measured in 2002 and 2003 from four native and three restored sites located along a 100-km stretch of the Platte River in south-central Nebraska. The sites ranged in age from 3 to 6 years since restoration. Samples were collected during May, July, and September each year. Soil temperature, soil moisture, percent litter cover, and root mass were measured at each site. Twelve 20 × 20 × 25–cm soil blocks were extracted at each site; soil was washed through a 1-mm sieve; and invertebrates were identified, counted, and weighed. Native sites had higher Shannon and Simpson diversity values and contained greater invertebrate biomass than restored sites. Five invertebrate taxa (isopods, scarab beetles, click beetles, earthworms, and ants) were collected with enough frequency to assess restoration effects on their occurrence. Of these, only ants occurred more frequently in restored sites. Restored sites generally had less litter cover, lower root mass, lower soil moisture, and higher soil temperature than native sites. Current restoration practices may not be completely effective at returning sites to native conditions. Physical reconstruction of wet meadow topography and high-diversity reseeding may not be adequate to fully restore soil invertebrate communities, even over extended periods of time.     

A Canopy Trimming Experiment in Puerto Rico: The Response of Litter Invertebrate Communities to Canopy Loss and Debris Deposition in a Tropical Forest Subject to Hurricanes

Hurricanes cause canopy removal and deposition of pulses of litter to the forest floor. A Canopy Trimming Experiment (CTE) was designed to decouple these two factors, and to investigate the separate abiotic and biotic consequences of hurricane-type damage and monitor recovery processes. As part of this experiment, effects on forest floor invertebrate communities were studied using litterbags. Canopy opening resulted in increased throughfall, soil moisture and light levels, but decreased litter moisture. Of these, only throughfall and soil moisture had returned to control levels 9 months after trimming. Canopy opening was the major determinant of adverse changes in forest floor invertebrate litter communities, by reducing diversity and biomass, irrespective of debris deposition, which played a secondary role. Plots subjected to the most disturbance, with canopy removed and debris added, had the lowest diversity and biomass. These two parameters were higher than control levels when debris was added to plots with an intact canopy, demonstrating that increased nutrient potential or habitat complexity can have a beneficial effect, but only if the abiotic conditions are suitable. Animal abundance remained similar over all treatments, because individual taxa responded differently to canopy trimming. Mites, Collembola, and Psocoptera, all microbiovores feeding mainly on fungal hyphae and spores, responded positively, with higher abundance in trimmed plots, whereas all other taxa, particularly predators and larger detritivores, declined in relative abundance. Litterbag mesh size and litter type had only minor effects on communities, and canopy trimming and debris deposition explained most variation between sites. Effects of trimming on diversity, biomass, and abundance of some invertebrate taxa were still seen when observations finished and canopy closure was complete at 19 months. This suggests that disturbance has a long-lasting effect on litter communities and may, therefore, delay detrital processing, depending on the severity of canopy damage and rate of regrowth.     

Coqui frog invasions change invertebrate communities in Hawaii

The Puerto Rican coqui frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui) invaded Hawaii in the late 1980s. Because the coqui reaches high densities and consumes large quantities of invertebrates, it was hypothesized to change invertebrate communities where it invades. Previous research found that coquis can change invertebrate communities, but these studies used highly manipulative, small-scale experiments. The objective of this research was to determine whether coquis create community-level changes in invertebrate communities at the landscape scale. We collected leaf litter, flying, and foliage invertebrates on both sides of 15 coqui invasion fronts across the island of Hawaii. Multivariate analyses show that coquis are associated with changes in leaf-litter communities, primarily reductions in Acari, but are not associated with overall changes in flying or foliage communities. Across sites, coquis reduced the total number of leaf-litter invertebrates by 27%, specifically by reducing Acari by 36%. Across sites, coquis increased flying Diptera by 19%. Changes were greater where coqui densities were higher. We suggest that coquis changed leaf-litter communities primarily through direct predation, but that they increased Diptera through the addition of frog carcasses and excrement. Results support previous studies conducted in more controlled settings, but add to our understanding of the invasion by showing that coqui effects on invertebrate communities are measurable at the landscape scale.     

Do Eucalyptus plantations host an insect community similar to remnant Eucalyptus forest?

Abstract We examined the potential of forest plantations to support communities of forest‐using insects when planted into an area with greatly reduced native forest cover. We surveyed the insect fauna of Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) plantations and native Eucalyptus marginata dominated remnant woodland in south‐western Australia, comparing edge to interior habitats, and plantations surrounded by a pastoral matrix to plantations adjacent to native remnants. We also surveyed insects in open pasture. Analyses focused on three major insect orders: Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Plantations were found to support many forest‐using insect species, but the fauna had an overall composition that was distinct from the remnant forest. The pasture fauna had more in common with plantations than forest remnants. Insect communities of plantations were different from native forest both because fewer insect species were present, and because they had a few more abundant insect species. Some of the dominant species in plantations were known forestry pests. One pest species (Gonipterus scutellatus) was also very abundant in remnant forest, although it was only recently first recorded in Western Australia. It may be that plantation forestry provided an ecological bridge that facilitated invasion of the native forest by this nonendemic pest species. Plantation communities had more leaf‐feeding moths and beetles than remnant forests. Plantations also had fewer ants, bees, evanioid wasps and predatory canopy beetles than remnants, but predatory beetles were more common in the understory of plantations than remnants. Use of broad spectrum insecticides in plantations might limit the ability of these natural enemies to regulate herbivore populations. There were only weak indications of differences in composition of the fauna at habitat edges and no consistent differences between the fauna of plantations adjacent to remnant vegetation and those surrounded by agriculture, suggesting that there is little scope for managing biodiversity outcomes by choosing different edge to interior ratios or by locating plantations near or far from remnants.