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New paper: Seed dispersal limitation in forest edge habitats

9/15/2021

 
We have a new paper in the Frontiers of Ecology and Evolution investigating how differences between frugivore communities at the forest edge and interior habitats of a diverse tropical rainforest relate to patterns of animal-mediated seed dispersal and early seedling recruitment.
Main findings:
  • Lemur communities across the forest edge-interior gradient in this system showed the highest species richness and variability in body sizes at intermediate distances; the community of birds showed the opposite pattern for species richness.
  • Three large-bodied frugivores, known to be effective dispersers of large seeds, tended to avoid the forest edge.
  • The forest edges received a lower rate of animal-mediated seed dispersal compared to the interior habitats. 
  • The seeds that were actively dispersed by animals in forest edge habitats were smaller in size than seeds dispersed in the forest interior. This pattern was found despite a similarity in seed size of seasonally fruiting adult trees and shrubs between the two habitats.
  • Despite these differences in dispersal patterns, we did not observe any differences in the rates of seedling recruitment or seed-size distribution of successful recruit species. 
Picture
Forest edge in Ihofa Forest, Madagascar. Photo by O. Razafindratsima

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  • Home
  • Research
    • Research Overview
    • Frugivory, Movement and Seed Dispersal
    • Ecological changes
    • Conservation & Management
  • Publications
    • Opinion pieces & Editorial articles
    • Scientific Articles
    • Published data
  • People
    • PI Razafindratsima
    • Postdocs & Students >
      • @ Cal
      • Affiliates
    • Past lab members & visitors
    • Field teams
  • Field updates
  • Outreach
  • Join Us
    • Call for applications MS
  • Useful Links
    • Fellowship resources
    • Research in Madagascar
  • Group news
  • Adventures
  • Affiliates