Living in the shadows: Diversity of amphibians, reptiles and birds in shade‐grown yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) plantations

Native Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) is one of the most widespread crops in the Atlantic Forest region of southern South America and has an important economic and cultural value in Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Despite the known potential of shade‐grown products (especially cocoa and coffee) to protect biodiversity, the benefits of shade‐grown yerba mate for biodiversity conservation in the Atlantic Forest remain scarce, one of the most threatened ecoregions in the world, also considered a biodiversity hotspot. In order to understand these potential benefits, it is important to identify how species use shade‐grown yerba mate plantations, as well as if it can be an strategy to improve or maintain biodiversity in complex socio‐ecological landscapes. We analysed the potential benefits of forests with shade‐grown yerba mate for birds, amphibian and reptiles in the Reserve for National Park ‘San Rafael’ and its buffer area (Itapúa Department, Paraguay). We evaluated differences in species richness and composition between three environments: forest with shade‐grown yerba mate, forest edge and monoculture crop plantations analysing beta diversity. A total of 112 bird species were recorded in all three environments. Regarding the herpetological community, we recorded 10 species (seven amphibians and three reptiles). Our results indicate that forests with yerba mate plantations not only maintains the bird species richness, but also its species composition differs significantly from edge and croplands, which might be an indicator of the contribution of shade‐grown yerba mate plantations to conservation. The results of the research would help to value the impact of sustainable agroforestry activities for the conservation of Atlantic Forest biodiversity. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.