期刊
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
卷 278, 期 1723, 页码 3345-3354出版社
ROYAL SOC
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0185
关键词
conservation; frugivore loss; Janzen-Connell effects; mutualism disruption; plant recruitment; seed dispersal
资金
- Auckland Regional Council
- Foundation for Research Science and Technology [C09X0503]
- Brian Mason Scientific and Technical Trust
- Robert C. Bruce Trust
- Canterbury Botanical Society
- University of Canterbury
- New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women Fellowship
- Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society (North Canterbury Branch)
Although global declines in frugivores may disrupt seed dispersal mutualisms and inhibit plant recruitment, quantifying the likely reduction in plant regeneration has been difficult and rarely attempted. We use a manipulative factorial experiment to quantify dependence of recruitment on dispersal (i.e. fruit pulp removal and movement of seed away from parental area) in two large-seeded New Zealand tree species. Complete dispersal failure would cause a 66 to 81 per cent reduction in recruitment to the 2-year-old seedling stage, and synergistic interactions with introduced mammalian seed and seedling predators increase the reduction to 92 to 94 per cent. Dispersal failure reduced regeneration through effects on seed predation, germination and (especially) seedling survival, including distance-and density-dependent (Janzen-Connell) effects. Dispersal of both species is currently largely dependent on a single frugivore, and many fruits today remain uneaten. Present-day levels of frugivore loss and mammal seed and seedling predators result in 57 to 84 per cent fewer seedlings after 2 years. Our study demonstrates the importance of seed dispersal for local plant population persistence, and validates concerns about the community consequences of frugivore declines.
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