Many small-scale open lands are made by selective logging operation inclusive the construction of logging road and skid trails. Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) bury mammalian dung in the soil which contributes to forest regeneration through secondary seed dispersal and soil improvement (ex. infiltration ratio, soil moisture and aeration, and porosity). To understand the impact of selective logging on dung beetle communities and ecological functions, we compared species composition and abilities for secondary seed dispersal and dung removal between a small-scale open land (ca. 2 ha) and its surrounding forest.

Far fewer dung beetles were collected in open land than in the forest though all trappings were conducted near (6-50 m) from the forest edge. The number of large-sized dung beetles was 55 times fewer in the small open land than in the forest. Dung was removed more rapidly in the forest than in the open land. However the different in seed dispersal between them was not significant.

Large dung beetle species largely contributed to dung burial. A sharp decrease in large dung beetles in open land will result in poor secondary seed dispersal and soil improvement in the open lands.