In the shadows: wildlife behaviour in tree plantations

Destruction of natural habitats for tree plantations is a major threat to wildlife. These novel environments elicit behavioural changes that can either be detrimental or beneficial to survival and reproduction, with population - and community - level consequences. However, compared with well-documented changes following other forms of habitat modification, we know little about wildlife behavioural responses to tree plantations, and even less about their associated fitness costs. Here, we highlight critical knowledge gaps in understanding the ecological and evolutionary consequences of behavioural shifts caused by tree plantations and discuss how wildlife responses to plantations could be critical in determining which species persist in these highly modified environments.

Automated summary

Destruction of natural habitats for tree plantations poses a significant threat to wildlife, as it leads to behavioral changes that can impact survival and reproduction, potentially resulting in population decline and species loss. However, our understanding of wildlife's behavioral responses to tree plantations is limited, and we have little knowledge of the associated fitness costs. Understanding wildlife's responses to plantations is crucial for determining which species can persist in these highly modified environments.