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<p>Tropical forests harbor exceptional biodiversity and provide critical ecological functions through their dynamic ecosystem processes. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by a range of biotic and abiotic disturbances. In the hill forests of Bangladesh, such disturbances have altered ecological processes, yet the mechanisms linking disturbance with soil, plant functional traits, and biodiversity remain poorly understood. This study addresses this knowledge gap using Khadimnagar National Park–a semi-evergreen tropical hill forest–as a case study. The primary objective was to assess the direct and indirect effects of disturbance on soil properties, plant functional traits, and beta diversity. Fifty sample plots were randomly established across the forest. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to extract key components with the highest loading. These components were then used as composite variables representing the original variables. The analysis was conducted using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) based on composite variables and multiple regression based on original variables. The SEM demonstrated strong model fit (χ<sup>2</sup> = 5.34, df = 5, <i>p</i> = 0.376; CFI = 0.991; TLI = 0.975; RMSEA = 0.037; SRMR = 0.068) and revealed that disturbance significantly affected certain functional traits, negatively affecting leaf thickness while positively influencing plant height. Disturbance also increased beta diversity (such as q1) through mechanisms such as niche separation and spatial turnover. Although no significant pathway was observed between disturbance and soil in the SEM, regression analysis revealed that soil organic carbon decreased with increasing bare ground and canopy openness, while cut stems were associated with higher soil bulk density. Overall, these findings suggest that disturbance acts as a strong environmental filter, promoting trait convergence and biotic homogenization, while moderate levels of disturbance may still maintain trait diversity and structural heterogeneity. The SEM further revealed multi-level causal pathways, underscoring the value of trait-based approaches for sustainable disturbance management in small forest systems in tropics, including selective logging, community forestry, and restoration planning.</p>

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Disturbance Effects on Plant Functional Traits, Beta Diversity, and Soil Properties in a Tropical Forest of Bangladesh

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月9日

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  • Sohag Ahammed,
  • Md. Sahinur Islam Fahim,
  • Md. Shydul Amin,
  • Md. Saifuzzaman Bhuiyan,
  • Md. Farhadur Rahman,
  • Md. Suhag,
  • Mohammed A. S. Arfin-Khan

摘要

Tropical forests harbor exceptional biodiversity and provide critical ecological functions through their dynamic ecosystem processes. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by a range of biotic and abiotic disturbances. In the hill forests of Bangladesh, such disturbances have altered ecological processes, yet the mechanisms linking disturbance with soil, plant functional traits, and biodiversity remain poorly understood. This study addresses this knowledge gap using Khadimnagar National Park–a semi-evergreen tropical hill forest–as a case study. The primary objective was to assess the direct and indirect effects of disturbance on soil properties, plant functional traits, and beta diversity. Fifty sample plots were randomly established across the forest. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to extract key components with the highest loading. These components were then used as composite variables representing the original variables. The analysis was conducted using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) based on composite variables and multiple regression based on original variables. The SEM demonstrated strong model fit (χ2 = 5.34, df = 5, p = 0.376; CFI = 0.991; TLI = 0.975; RMSEA = 0.037; SRMR = 0.068) and revealed that disturbance significantly affected certain functional traits, negatively affecting leaf thickness while positively influencing plant height. Disturbance also increased beta diversity (such as q1) through mechanisms such as niche separation and spatial turnover. Although no significant pathway was observed between disturbance and soil in the SEM, regression analysis revealed that soil organic carbon decreased with increasing bare ground and canopy openness, while cut stems were associated with higher soil bulk density. Overall, these findings suggest that disturbance acts as a strong environmental filter, promoting trait convergence and biotic homogenization, while moderate levels of disturbance may still maintain trait diversity and structural heterogeneity. The SEM further revealed multi-level causal pathways, underscoring the value of trait-based approaches for sustainable disturbance management in small forest systems in tropics, including selective logging, community forestry, and restoration planning.