Changes in the diversity and composition of trophic groups of protists by transformation of rainforest to plantation systems

Protists, abundant but enigmatic single-celled eukaryotes, are important soil microbiota providing numerous ecosystem functions. Despite their ubiquity, these organisms often go unnoticed and underappreciated. However, understanding the activities and ecological roles of protists is crucial.

Within my research, I specifically concentrate on the diversity, community structure, and ecological functions of protists in the soil of tropical ecosystems. In the B08 project, my investigation revolves around examining the effects of land-use transformation, specifically the conversion of rainforests into oil palm, rubber, and jungle rubber plantations, on various trophic groups of protists.
Within trophic groups individual taxa generally respond in a similar way, suggesting that trophic groups of protists reflect general patterns in changes in the structure of the micro-decomposer food web with conversion of rainforest into plantation systems.