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Data from: Perceived and actual ecosystem services by fruit bats, birds, and primates in litchi orchards agroecosystems

Mphethe, Vusani1; Weier, Sina Monika2; Swanepoel, Lourens Hendrik1; Parker, Daniel3; Taylor, Peter John2

Published Aug 25, 2025 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.41ns1rnsz

Data files

Aug 25, 2025 version files 21.47 KB

Abstract

Ecosystem services and disservices by key animal groups such as birds, fruit bats, and primates are often understudied. The lack of ecological knowledge results in persecution and culling due to perceived damage to fruit trees. We combined a control-treatment study with questionnaire data to untangle the actual and perceived impact of birds, fruit bats, and primates in South African litchi orchards. Control trees produced significantly higher yields than the caged trees. There was a weak, but non-significant, trend towards higher vertebrate damage on control trees compared to treatment trees. Questionnaire data found that weather and monkeys caused more damage to litchi fruits compared to fruit bats. There was also strong consensus among farmers that damage varied between vertebrate (monkey, fruit bats, birds, and wild pigs) and invertebrate (insects) as well as an abiotic factor (weather) groups. Farm type (commercial versus small-scale) showed a statistically significant difference in perceived damage caused by vertebrate groups and weather. Commercial farms reported higher damage caused by groups when compared to small-scale farms. This study recorded relatively low incidences of crop raiding by fruit bats and highlights the economic benefits of biocontrol by insectivorous bats and birds, which outweighed the yield losses by fruit bats, birds, and monkeys. Vertebrate exclusion to prevent crop damage limits access and biocontrol benefits provided by bats and birds. Farmers are unaware of the economic benefits of bats and birds; thus, it is vital to educate them on the ecological importance which can outweigh the disservices resulting from fruit bats and reduce persecution by fruit farmers.