Present conditions may mediate the legacy effect of past land-use changes on species richness and composition of above- and below-ground assemblages

1. In forest ecosystems, the influence of landscape history on contemporary biodiversity patterns has been shown to provide a convenient framework to explain shifts in plant assemblages. However, very few studies have controlled for present human-induced activities when analyzing the effect of forest continuity on community structures. By cutting and removing trees, foresters substantially change stand ecological conditions, with consequences on biodiversity patterns. Disentangling the effect of past and present human activities on biodiversity is thus crucial for ecosystem management and conservation.
2. We explored the response of plant and springtail species richness and composition to forest continuity (ancient vs recent) in montane forests, while controlling for stand maturity (mature vs overmature). We established 70 sites in landscapes dominated by unfragmented ancient forests where we surveyed plants and assessed springtails by analyzing environmental DNA.
3. Neither plant nor...