Linking Soil Nutrients and Non-Herbaceous Plant Communities with Bat Diversity in a Tropical Agricultural Landscape in Ecuador

In northwestern Ecuador, where more than 90% of the original forest cover has been lost, it is unknown how soil chemistry influences bat diversity. This study evaluated bat diversity, non-herbaceous plant community structure, and soil nutrients in 30 plots distributed across crops on two farms separated by 32 km. Soil analyses revealed vari-ations in organic matter and nutrients, identifying potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc as the most influential. A total of 1,470 individuals of 24 non-herbaceous plant species and 193 individuals of 16 bat species were recorded, dominated by frugivorous and nectarivorous guilds. Correlation analyses showed significant associations between bat diversity indices and soil nutrients. These elements improve tree growth, fruiting, and flowering, which increases the quality and availability of food resources for bats. In return, these mammals provide key ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dis-persal, and insect control. Our findings highlight that soil chemistry indirectly regulates bat communities by influencing vegetation structure and resource availability. This in-tegrated approach underscores the importance of soil-plant-animal interactions in tropical agricultural landscapes, offering practical guidance.