Small changes in rainforests cause big damage to fish ecosystems

Freshwater fish diversity is harmed as much by selective logging in rainforests as they are by complete deforestation, according to a new study. Researchers had expected the level of damage would rise depending on the amount of logging and were surprised to discover the impact of removing relatively few trees. "That such a small change can impact fish biodiversity is shocking and worrying. Clare Wilkinson There are many types of logging that occur in rainforests, from 'selective logging' - only taking certain species - to complete logging and the transformation of the rainforest to oil-palm plantations. Different types of animals react to these changes in often complex ways. However, a new study published today in Biological Conservation shows that for freshwater fish, any logging is too much. The team, led by Imperial College London, found a drop in fish biodiversity - the number of different species - across all logging types.