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Svenning JC, Buitenwerf R, Le Roux E. Trophic rewilding as a restoration approach under emerging novel biosphere conditions. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R435-R451. [PMID: 38714176 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Rewilding is a restoration approach that aims to promote self-regulating complex ecosystems by restoring non-human ecological processes while reducing human control and pressures. Rewilding is forward-looking in that it aims to enhance functionality for biodiversity, accepting and indeed promoting the dynamic nature of ecosystems, rather than fixating on static composition or structure. Rewilding is thus especially relevant in our epoch of increasingly novel biosphere conditions, driven by strong human-induced global change. Here, we explore this hypothesis in the context of trophic rewilding - the restoration of trophic complexity mediated by wild, large-bodied animals, known as 'megafauna'. This focus reflects the strong ecological impacts of large-bodied animals, their widespread loss during the last 50,000 years and their high diversity and ubiquity in the preceding 50 million years. Restoring abundant, diverse, wild-living megafauna is expected to promote vegetation heterogeneity, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling and biotic microhabitats. These are fundamental drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem function and are likely to gain importance for maintaining a biodiverse biosphere under increasingly novel ecological conditions. Non-native megafauna species may contribute to these effects as ecological surrogates of extinct species or by promoting ecological functionality within novel assemblages. Trophic rewilding has strong upscaling potential via population growth and expansion of wild fauna. It is likely to facilitate biotic adaptation to changing climatic conditions and resilience to ecosystem collapse, and to curb some negative impacts of globalization, notably the dominance of invasive alien plants. Finally, we discuss the complexities of realizing the biodiversity benefits that trophic rewilding offers under novel biosphere conditions in a heavily populated world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Robert Buitenwerf
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Elizabeth Le Roux
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
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Wilsey B, Kaul A, Polley HW. Establishment from seed is more important for exotic than for native plant species. PLANT-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2024; 5:e10132. [PMID: 38323131 PMCID: PMC10840371 DOI: 10.1002/pei3.10132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Climate change has initiated movement of both native and non-native (exotic) species across the landscape. Exotic species are hypothesized to establish from seed more readily than comparable native species. We tested the hypothesis that seed limitation is more important for exotic species than native grassland species. We compared seed limitation and invasion resistance over three growing seasons between 18 native and 18 exotic species, grown in both monocultures and mixtures in a field experiment. Half of the plots received a seed mix of the contrasting treatment (i.e., exotic species were seeded into native plots, and native species were seeded into exotic plots), and half served as controls. We found that (1) establishment in this perennial grassland is seed limited, (2) establishment from seed is greater in exotic than native species, and (3) community resistance to seedling establishment was positively related to diversity of extant species, but only in native communities. Native-exotic species diversity and composition differences did not converge over time. Our results imply that native to exotic transformations occur when diversity declines in native vegetation and exotic seeds arrive from adjacent sites, suggesting that managing for high diversity will reduce transformations to exotic dominance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Wilsey
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Andrew Kaul
- Center for Conservation and Sustainable DevelopmentMissouri Botanical GardenSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - H. Wayne Polley
- Grassland, Soil and Water Research LaboratoryUSDA‐ARSTempleTexasUSA
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3
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Lukács K, Tóth Á, Kiss R, Deák B, Rádai Z, Tóth K, Kelemen A, Bátori Z, Hábenczyus AA, Tölgyesi C, Miglécz T, Godó L, Valkó O. The ecological footprint of outdoor activities: Factors affecting human-vectored seed dispersal on clothing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167675. [PMID: 37816409 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
In the Anthropocene, humans are among the most abundant long-distance seed dispersal vectors globally, due to our increasing mobility and the growing global population. However, there are several knowledge gaps related to the process of human-vectored dispersal (HVD) on clothing. In a multi-site field experiment covering various habitat types in three countries of Central-Europe, we involved 88 volunteer participants and collected 251 HVD samples and 2008 subsamples from their socks and shoes. We analysed the number of diaspores and species in the samples. Specifically, we studied the effects of site characteristics (variables related to habitat types and season), vector characteristics (activity type, gender, clothing type, shoe type) and plant characteristics (species pool of the visited habitats and plant traits) on the number of diaspores and array of species dispersed. We assessed the habits of people that could be relevant for HVD with a questionnaire survey. A total of 35,935 diaspores of 229 plant taxa were identified from the samples, which indicates a huge potential of HVD in dispersing diaspores across habitats and regions. Most diaspores were recorded in grassland habitats, and more diaspores were dispersed during fieldwork than excursions. Clothing type also played a decisive role: there were more diaspores and species when wearing short-top shoes and short trousers than long ones. Even though our study was carried out mainly in natural or semi-natural habitats, a large number of dispersed species were disturbance-tolerants and weeds and only a few were specialists, suggesting the controversial role of HVD in conservation. At the individual level, people can reduce the number of diaspores through their clothing choices and diaspore removal habits, while providing adequate equipment for staff, operating cleaning stations, and increasing awareness of employees are main ways in which unintended diaspore dispersal can be tackled at the institutional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Lukács
- HUN-REN 'Lendület' Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány str. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary; National Laboratory for Health Security, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina str. 29, Budapest 1113, Hungary; Department of Ecology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem sqr. 1, Debrecen 4032, Hungary; Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School, University of Debrecen, Egyetem sqr. 1, Debrecen 4032, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Tóth
- HUN-REN 'Lendület' Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány str. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary; Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Réka Kiss
- HUN-REN 'Lendület' Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány str. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary
| | - Balázs Deák
- HUN-REN 'Lendület' Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány str. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Rádai
- HUN-REN 'Lendület' Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány str. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary
| | - Katalin Tóth
- Department of Ecology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem sqr. 1, Debrecen 4032, Hungary
| | - András Kelemen
- HUN-REN 'Lendület' Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány str. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary; Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Bátori
- Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary; MTA-SZTE 'Lendület' Applied Ecology Research Group, Közép Fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Alida Anna Hábenczyus
- Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary; MTA-SZTE 'Lendület' Applied Ecology Research Group, Közép Fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Csaba Tölgyesi
- Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary; MTA-SZTE 'Lendület' Applied Ecology Research Group, Közép Fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Tamás Miglécz
- Hungarian Research Institute for Organic Agriculture, Miklós tér 1, Budapest 1033, Hungary
| | - Laura Godó
- HUN-REN 'Lendület' Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány str. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Valkó
- HUN-REN 'Lendület' Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány str. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary; National Laboratory for Health Security, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina str. 29, Budapest 1113, Hungary.
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Mthethwa K, Ruwanza S. Topsoil and Vegetation Dynamics 14 Years after Eucalyptus grandis Removal in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3047. [PMID: 37687294 PMCID: PMC10490425 DOI: 10.3390/plants12173047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
A great deal of effort has been made to clear invasive alien plants in South Africa, yet it remains unclear if the clearing efforts are yielding positive soil and vegetation recovery trajectories. A few short-term studies have been conducted to monitor soil and vegetation recovery after alien plant removal in South Africa, but convincing, long-term monitoring studies are scarce yet needed. We investigated topsoil and vegetation recovery following Eucalyptus grandis removal 14 years ago by Working for Water in Makhanda, Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The detailed topsoil and vegetation surveys were conducted on forty 10 m × 10 m plots that were in paired cleared and natural sites. The results show no significant differences for the measured soil pH, total N, total C, K, Ca, and Na between the cleared and natural sites, an indication that the two sites are becoming similar. Similarly, the gravimetric soil moisture content shows no significant differences between the two sites, although monthly variations are observed. The topsoils in the cleared sites are hydrophobic as compared to those in the natural sites, which are wettable. We observed no significant vegetation diversity differences between the two sites, with native woody species, such as Crassula pellucida and Helichrysum petiolare, frequently occurring in the cleared sites. We recorded low reinvasion by E. grandis and other secondary invaders like Acacia mearnsii and Rubus cuneifolius in the cleared sites. Based on these results, we conclude that 14 years after E. grandis clearing, both topsoil and vegetation recovery are following a positive trajectory towards the natural sites. However, both reinvasion and secondary invasion have the potential to slow down soil and native vegetation recovery. Recommendations such as timeous follow-up clearing and incorporating restoration monitoring in the WfW clearing programme are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuhle Mthethwa
- Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa;
| | - Sheunesu Ruwanza
- Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa;
- Department of Environmental Science, Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
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5
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Shiri K, Mlambo D, Mutungwazi L. Effects of road and woodland type on the invasibility of woodlands invaded by Lantana camara in southern Africa. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2023.103912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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Is endozoochoric seed dispersal by large herbivores an evolutionary adaptation? Revisiting the Janzen's ‘Foliage is the fruit’ hypothesis. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2022.103888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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7
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Süle G, Miholcsa Z, Molnár C, Kovács-Hostyánszki A, Fenesi A, Bauer N, Szigeti V. Escape from the garden: spreading, effects and traits of a new risky invasive ornamental plant (Gaillardia aristata Pursh). NEOBIOTA 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.83.97325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Ornamental plants constitute a major source of invasive species.Gaillardia aristata(great blanketflower) is planted worldwide and its escape has been reported in several European countries without ecological impact assessment on the invasive potential. As there is a markedly spreading population with invasive behaviour in Hungary, we aimed to reveal the distribution, impacts and traits ofG. aristata. We gathered occurrence data outside the gardens in Hungary, based on literature, unpublished observations by experts and our own records. We investigated the impacts of an extended population, where the species invaded sandy old-fields within a 25 km2area. Here, we compared the species richness, diversity, community composition and height of invaded and uninvaded vegetation. Furthermore, we evaluated the traits potentially associated with the invasiveness ofG. aristatain comparison with other herbaceous invasive species in the region. We found thatG. aristataoccurred mostly by casual escapes, but naturalised and invasive populations were also detected in considerable numbers.G. aristatausually appeared close to gardens and ruderal habitats, but also in semi-natural and natural grasslands and tended to spread better in sandy soils. We found lower plant species richness and Shannon diversity in the invaded sites and the invasion ofG. aristatasignificantly influenced the composition of the plant community. The trait analyses revealed that the invasive potential ofG. aristatais backed by a wide germination niche breadth, extremely long flowering period, small shoot-root ratio (large absorption and gripping surface), large seeds (longer persistence) and dispersal by epizoochory of grazing livestock (mostly by sheep), probably helping the species’ survival and spreading in the disturbed, species-poor, sandy, open habitats. These functional traits, as well as the ornamental utilisation, may act together with the aridisation of the climate and the changing land-use practices (e.g. abandoned, disturbed sites) in the success ofG. aristata. We raise awareness of the rapid transition ofG. aristatafrom ornamental plant to casual alien and then to invasive species in certain environmental conditions (i.e. sandy soils, species-poor communities, human disturbances), although it seems to be not a strong ecosystem transformer so far. Nonetheless, banning it from seed mixtures, developing eradication strategy and long-term monitoring of this species would be important to halt its spreading in time.
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8
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Lee SK, Ryu Y, Lee EJ. Endozoochorous Seed Dispersal by Korean Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) in Taehwa Research Forest, South Korea. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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9
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Chevaux L, Mårell A, Baltzinger C, Boulanger V, Cadet S, Chevalier R, Debaive N, Dumas Y, Gosselin M, Gosselin F, Rocquencourt A, Paillet Y. Effects of stand structure and ungulates on understory vegetation in managed and unmanaged forests. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2531. [PMID: 35019181 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Conventional conservation policies in Europe notably rely on the passive restoration of natural forest dynamics by setting aside forest areas to preserve forest biodiversity. However, since forest reserves cover only a small proportion of the territory, conservation policies also require complementary conservation efforts in managed forests in order to achieve the biodiversity targets set up in the Convention on Biological Diversity. Conservation measures also raise the question of large herbivore management in and around set-asides, particularly regarding their impact on understory vegetation. Although many studies have separately analyzed the effects of forest management, management abandonment, and ungulate pressure on forest biodiversity, their joint effects have rarely been studied in a correlative framework. We studied 212 plots located in 15 strict forest reserves paired with adjacent managed forests in European France. We applied structural equation models to test the effects of management abandonment, stand structure, and ungulate pressure on the abundance, species richness, and diversity of herbaceous vascular plants and terricolous bryophytes. We showed that stand structure indices and plot-level browsing pressure had direct and opposite effects on herbaceous vascular plant species diversity; these effects were linked with the light tolerance of the different species groups. Increasing canopy cover had an overall negative effect on herbaceous vascular plant abundance and species diversity. The effect was two to three times greater in magnitude than the positive effects of browsing pressure on herbaceous plants diversity. On the other hand, a high stand density index had a positive effect on the species richness and diversity of bryophytes, while browsing had no effect. Forest management abandonment had few direct effects on understory plant communities, and mainly indirectly affected herbaceous vascular plant and bryophyte abundance and species richness and diversity through changes in vertical stand structure. Our results show that conservation biologists should rely on foresters and hunters to lead the preservation of understory vegetation communities in managed forests since, respectively, they manipulate stand structure and regulate ungulate pressure. Their management actions should be adapted to the taxa at stake, since bryophytes and vascular plants respond differently to stand and ungulate factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vincent Boulanger
- Département Recherche et Développement, Office National des Forêts, Fontainebleau, France
| | - Serge Cadet
- Office National des Forêts (ONF), Réseau Flore-Habitats, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | | | | | - Yann Dumas
- INRAE, UR EFNO, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France
| | | | | | | | - Yoan Paillet
- INRAE, UR EFNO, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France
- Universitè Grenoble Alpes, INRAE, Saint Martin d'Hères, France
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10
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Bartel SL, Orrock JL. The important role of animal social status in vertebrate seed dispersal. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:1094-1109. [PMID: 35235713 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Seed dispersal directly affects plant establishment, gene flow and fitness. Understanding patterns in seed dispersal is, therefore, fundamental to understanding plant ecology and evolution, as well as addressing challenges of extinction and global change. Our ability to understand dispersal is limited because seeds may be dispersed by multiple agents, and the effectiveness of these agents can be highly variable both among and within species. We provide a novel framework that links seed dispersal to animal social status, a key component of behaviour. Because social status affects individual resource access and movement, it provides a critical link to two factors that determine seed dispersal: the quantity of seeds dispersed and the spatial patterns of dispersal. Social status may have unappreciated effects on post-dispersal seed survival and recruitment when social status affects individual habitat use. Hence, environmental changes, such as selective harvesting and urbanisation, that affect animal social structure may have unappreciated consequences for seed dispersal. This framework highlights these exciting new hypotheses linking environmental change, social structure and seed dispersal. By outlining experimental approaches to test these hypotheses, we hope to facilitate studies across a wide diversity of plant-animal networks, which may uncover emerging hotspots or significant declines in seed dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah L Bartel
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - John L Orrock
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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11
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Impact of Land Use Changes on the Diversity and Conservation Status of the Vegetation of Mountain Grasslands (Polish Carpathians). LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
In recent decades, in the Polish Carpathians, agriculture has undergone major changes. Our goal was to investigate whether the former management (plowing or mowing and grazing) had an impact on the current species composition, diversity and conservation status of the vegetation of grazing areas. We carried out vegetation studies on 45 grazing sites with traditional methods of grazing (transhumant pastoralism). The survey covered both old (continuous) grasslands and grasslands on former arable land. The most widespread were Cynosurion pastures and mesic Arrhenatherion grasslands. Wet Calthion meadows occurred at more than a half of grazing sites, while nutrient-poor Nardetalia grasslands were only recorded at several grazing sites. For each grazing site, we used soil maps from the 1960s to read land use in the past. We mapped present grassland and arable land area. Compared with the 1960s, there was a significant decrease in the area of arable land and an increase in grasslands. Species diversity was greater in grazing sites where grasslands developed on former arable land. However, this diversity was associated mainly with the occurrence of common grassland species. Cynosurion pastures and wet Calthion meadows had the best conservation status, while nutrient-poor Nardetalia grasslands were the worst preserved. We concluded that the conservation status of mesic grasslands and pastures is dependent on the present diversity of land use within a grazing site, rather than the land use history 60 years ago. This is the first study of the natural, not economic, value of pasture vegetation in the Polish part of the Carpathians.
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13
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McConkey KR, Aldy F, Ong L, Sutisna DJ, Campos‐Arceiz A. Lost mutualisms: Seed dispersal by Sumatran rhinos, the world’s most threatened megafauna. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kim R. McConkey
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Kajang Selangor Malaysia
| | - Firmann Aldy
- Konservasi Rimba Indonesia Kota Depok West Java Indonesia
| | - Lisa Ong
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Kajang Selangor Malaysia
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences & Center for Integrative Conservation Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Chinese Academy of Sciences Mengla Yunnan China
| | | | - Ahimsa Campos‐Arceiz
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Kajang Selangor Malaysia
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences & Center for Integrative Conservation Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Chinese Academy of Sciences Mengla Yunnan China
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Venkataraman VV, Miller C, Foxfoot I, Lin B, Petrie ZL, Simberloff RA, Bernardo O, Redon N, Hohn TI, Kerby JT, Nguyen N, Fashing PJ. Epizoochorous seed dispersal by an Afroalpine savanna primate. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vivek V. Venkataraman
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology University of Calgary Calgary AB Canada
- Guassa Gelada Research Project Mehal Meda Ethiopia
| | - Carrie Miller
- Guassa Gelada Research Project Mehal Meda Ethiopia
- Department of Anthropology University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Iris Foxfoot
- Guassa Gelada Research Project Mehal Meda Ethiopia
| | - Bing Lin
- Guassa Gelada Research Project Mehal Meda Ethiopia
- Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Princeton University Princeton New Jersey USA
| | | | | | | | - Nathan Redon
- Guassa Gelada Research Project Mehal Meda Ethiopia
| | - Triana I. Hohn
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Calgary Calgary AB Canada
| | - Jeffrey T. Kerby
- Guassa Gelada Research Project Mehal Meda Ethiopia
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Nga Nguyen
- Guassa Gelada Research Project Mehal Meda Ethiopia
- Department of Anthropology & Environmental Studies Program California State University Fullerton California USA
| | - Peter J. Fashing
- Guassa Gelada Research Project Mehal Meda Ethiopia
- Department of Anthropology & Environmental Studies Program California State University Fullerton California USA
- Department of Biosciences Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES) University of Oslo Oslo Norway
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Stiegler J, Kiemel K, Eccard J, Fischer C, Hering R, Ortmann S, Strigl L, Tiedemann R, Ullmann W, Blaum N. Seed traits matter-Endozoochoric dispersal through a pervasive mobile linker. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:18477-18491. [PMID: 35003686 PMCID: PMC8717309 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although many plants are dispersed by wind and seeds can travel long distances across unsuitable matrix areas, a large proportion relies on co-evolved zoochorous seed dispersal to connect populations in isolated habitat islands. Particularly in agricultural landscapes, where remaining habitat patches are often very small and highly isolated, mobile linkers as zoochorous seed dispersers are critical for the population dynamics of numerous plant species. However, knowledge about the quali- or quantification of such mobile link processes, especially in agricultural landscapes, is still limited. In a controlled feeding experiment, we recorded the seed intake and germination success after complete digestion by the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) and explored its mobile link potential as an endozoochoric seed disperser. Utilizing a suite of common, rare, and potentially invasive plant species, we disentangled the effects of seed morphological traits on germination success while controlling for phylogenetic relatedness. Further, we measured the landscape connectivity via hares in two contrasting agricultural landscapes (simple: few natural and semi-natural structures, large fields; complex: high amount of natural and semi-natural structures, small fields) using GPS-based movement data. With 34,710 seeds of 44 plant species fed, one of 200 seeds (0.51%) with seedlings of 33 species germinated from feces. Germination after complete digestion was positively related to denser seeds with comparatively small surface area and a relatively slender and elongated shape, suggesting that, for hares, the most critical seed characteristics for successful endozoochorous seed dispersal minimize exposure of the seed to the stomach and the associated digestive system. Furthermore, we could show that a hare's retention time is long enough to interconnect different habitats, especially grasslands and fields. Thus, besides other seed dispersal mechanisms, this most likely allows hares to act as effective mobile linkers contributing to ecosystem stability in times of agricultural intensification, not only in complex but also in simple landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Stiegler
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Katrin Kiemel
- Institute of Biochemistry and BiologyEvolutionary Biology / Systematic ZoologyUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Jana Eccard
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Animal EcologyUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Christina Fischer
- Department of Agriculture, Ecotrophology, and Landscape DevelopmentFaunistics and Wildlife ConservationAnhalt University of Applied SciencesBernburgGermany
| | - Robert Hering
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Sylvia Ortmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)BerlinGermany
| | - Lea Strigl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Ralph Tiedemann
- Institute of Biochemistry and BiologyEvolutionary Biology / Systematic ZoologyUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Wiebke Ullmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Niels Blaum
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
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16
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Green AJ, Baltzinger C, Lovas‐Kiss Á. Plant dispersal syndromes are unreliable, especially for predicting zoochory and long‐distance dispersal. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andy J. Green
- Dept of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station EBD‐CSIC Sevilla Spain
| | | | - Ádám Lovas‐Kiss
- Wetland Ecology Research Group, Centre for Ecological Research, Danube Research Inst. Debrecen Hungary
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17
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Epizoochory in Parrots as an Overlooked Yet Widespread Plant-Animal Mutualism. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10040760. [PMID: 33924535 PMCID: PMC8070029 DOI: 10.3390/plants10040760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Plant–animal interactions are key to sustaining whole communities and ecosystem function. However, their complexity may limit our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the species involved. The ecological effects of epizoochory remain little known compared to other seed dispersal mechanisms given the few vectors identified. In addition, epizoochory is mostly considered non-mutualistic since dispersers do not obtain nutritional rewards. Here, we show a widespread but unknown mutualistic interaction between parrots and plants through epizoochory. Combining our observations with photos from web-sources, we recorded nearly 2000 epizoochory events in 48 countries across five continents, involving 116 parrot species and nearly 100 plant species from 35 families, including both native and non-native species. The viscid pulp of fleshy fruits and anemochorous structures facilitate the adherence of tiny seeds (mean 3.7 × 2.56 mm) on the surface of parrots while feeding, allowing the dispersion of these seeds over long distances (mean = 118.5 m). This parrot–plant mutualism could be important in ecosystem functioning across a wide diversity of environments, also facilitating the spread of exotic plants. Future studies should include parrots for a better understanding of plant dispersal processes and for developing effective conservation actions against habitat loss and biological invasions.
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18
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Sigaud M, Mason THE, Barnier F, Cherry SG, Fortin D. Emerging conflict between conservation programmes: when a threatened vertebrate facilitates the dispersal of exotic species in a rare plant community. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Sigaud
- Département de Biologie et Centre d’Étude de la Forêt Université Laval Québec QC Canada
- Primate Research Institute Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
| | - T. H. E. Mason
- Département de Biologie et Centre d’Étude de la Forêt Université Laval Québec QC Canada
- Biological and Environmental Sciences School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling UK
| | - F. Barnier
- Département de Biologie et Centre d’Étude de la Forêt Université Laval Québec QC Canada
- UMS Patrimoine Naturel Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris France
| | - S. G. Cherry
- Parks Canada Agency Radium Hot Springs BC Canada
| | - D. Fortin
- Département de Biologie et Centre d’Étude de la Forêt Université Laval Québec QC Canada
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19
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Lee SK, Lee EJ. Internationally vulnerable Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) can act as an ecological filter by endozoochory. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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20
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Slabbert EL, Schweiger O, Wubet T, Kautzner A, Baessler C, Auge H, Roscher C, Knight TM. Scale-dependent impact of land management on above- and belowground biodiversity. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:10139-10149. [PMID: 33005370 PMCID: PMC7520218 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Land management is known to have consequences for biodiversity; however, our synthetic understanding of its effects is limited due to highly variable results across studies, which vary in the focal taxa and spatial grain considered, as well as the response variables reported. Such synthetic knowledge is necessary for management of agroecosystems for high diversity and function.To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the importance of scale-dependent effects of land management (LM) (pastures vs. meadows), on plant and soil microbe diversity (fungi and bacteria) across 5 study sites in Central Germany. Analyses included diversity partitioning of species richness and related biodiversity components (i.e., density of individuals, species-abundance distribution, and spatial aggregation) at two spatial grains (α- and γ-scale, 1 m2 and 16 km2, respectively).Our results show scale-dependent patterns in response to LM to be the norm rather than the exception and highlight the importance of measuring species richness and its underlying components at multiple spatial grains.Our outcomes provide new insight to the complexity of scale-dependent responses within and across taxonomic groups. They suggest that, despite close associations between taxa, LM responses are not easily extrapolated across multiple spatial grains and taxa. Responses of biodiversity to LM are often driven by changes to evenness and spatial aggregation, rather than by changes in individual density. High-site specificity of LM effects might be due to a variety of context-specific factors, such as historic land management, identity of grazers, and grazing regime. Synthesis and applications: Our results suggest that links between taxa are not necessarily strong enough to allow for generalization of biodiversity patterns. These findings highlight the importance of considering multiple taxa and spatial grains when investigating LM responses, while promoting management practices that do the same and are tailored to local and regional conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonore L. Slabbert
- Department of Community EcologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZHalle (Saale)Germany
- Institute of BiologyMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Oliver Schweiger
- Department of Community EcologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Tesfaye Wubet
- Department of Community EcologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZHalle (Saale)Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Antje Kautzner
- Department of Community EcologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Cornelia Baessler
- Department of Community EcologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Harald Auge
- Department of Community EcologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZHalle (Saale)Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Christiane Roscher
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
- Department of Physiological DiversityHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZLeipzigGermany
| | - Tiffany M. Knight
- Department of Community EcologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research‐ UFZHalle (Saale)Germany
- Institute of BiologyMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
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21
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Karimi S, Hemami MR, Tarkesh Esfahani M, Baltzinger C. Endozoochorous dispersal by herbivores and omnivores is mediated by germination conditions. BMC Ecol 2020; 20:49. [PMID: 32867734 PMCID: PMC7457502 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-020-00317-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vertebrate-mediated seed dispersal is probably the main long distance dispersal mode. Through endozoochory, large mammals act as mobile links between habitats within and among forest patches. Along with other factors, their feeding regimes do affect their contribution as dispersal vectors. We conducted a cross-species comparative experiment involving two herbivores, red deer and roe deer; and two opportunistic omnivores, wild boar and brown bear, all occurring in the forest and steppe-forest ecotone habitats of the south-eastern Caspian region. We compared their role as endozoochorous seed dispersal agents by monitoring seedling emergence in their dungs under greenhouse and natural conditions. Results In total, 3078 seedlings, corresponding to 136 plant taxa sprouted from 445 paired dung sub-samples, under greenhouse and natural conditions. Only 336 seedlings, corresponding to 36 plant taxa, emerged under natural conditions, among which five taxa did not appear under greenhouse conditions. Graminoids and forbs composed 91% of the seedlings in the greenhouse whereas shrubs were more abundant under natural conditions, representing 55% of the emerged seedlings. Under greenhouse conditions, first red deer and then wild boar dispersed more species than the other two mammals, while under natural conditions brown bear was the most effective vector. We observed remarkably higher species richness and seedling abundance per dung sub-sample under buffered greenhouse conditions than we did under natural conditions. Conclusions The four sympatric mammals studied provided different seed dispersal services, both in terms of seedling abundance and species richness and may therefore be regarded as complementary. Our results highlight a positive bias when only considering germination under buffered greenhouse conditions. This must be taken into account when planning management options to benefit plant biodiversity based on the dispersal services concluded from greenhouse experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorour Karimi
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahmoud-Reza Hemami
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran.
| | | | - Christophe Baltzinger
- INRAE Val de Loire, Research Unit Forest Ecosystems, Domaine des Barres, 45290, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France.,Centre for Invasion Biology and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa
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22
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Van Rossum F, Hardy OJ, Le Pajolec S, Raspé O. Genetic monitoring of translocated plant populations in practice. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:4040-4058. [PMID: 32654225 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Plant translocations allow the restoration of genetic diversity in inbred and depauperate populations and help to prevent the extinction of critically endangered species. However, the successes of plant translocations in restoring genetically viable populations and the possible associated key factors are still insufficiently evaluated. To fill this gap, we carried out a thorough genetic monitoring of three populations of Arnica montana that were created or reinforced by the translocation of plants obtained from seeds of two large natural source populations from southern Belgium. We genotyped nine microsatellite markers and measured fitness quantitative traits over two generations (transplants, F1 seed progeny and newly established F1 juveniles). Two years after translocation, the genetic restoration had been effective, with high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation across generations, extensive contemporary pollen flow, admixture between seed sources in the F1 generation and recruitment of new individuals from seeds. We detected site, seed source and maternal plant effects on plant fitness. The results also suggest that phenotypic plasticity may favour short-term individual survival and long-term adaptive capacity and enhance the evolutionary resilience of the populations to changing environmental conditions. We found no sign of heterosis or outbreeding depression at early life stages in the F1 generation. Our findings emphasize the importance of the translocation design (700 transplants of mixed sources, planted at high density) as well as the preparatory site management for the successful outcome of the translocations, which maximized flowering, random mating, and recruitment from seeds in the first years after translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Van Rossum
- Meise Botanic Garden, Meise, Belgium.,Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Service général de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche scientifique, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olivier J Hardy
- Unit of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Olivier Raspé
- Meise Botanic Garden, Meise, Belgium.,Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Service général de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche scientifique, Brussels, Belgium.,Center of Excellence in Fungal Research and School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
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23
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Solarz W, Najberek K, Wilk‐Woźniak E, Biedrzycka A. Raccoons foster the spread of freshwater and terrestrial microorganisms—Mammals as a source of microbial eDNA. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Solarz
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Poland
| | - Kamil Najberek
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Poland
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24
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Petersen TK, Bruun HH. Can plant traits predict seed dispersal probability via red deer guts, fur, and hooves? Ecol Evol 2019; 9:9768-9781. [PMID: 31534692 PMCID: PMC6745656 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Seed dispersal by mammals provides functional connectivity between isolated plant habitat patches. Across much of Europe, red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations are growing steadily, potentially leading to increasing importance of this large mammal species to plant dispersal. While deer endozoochory is relatively well studied, epizoochory via fur and hoof attachment is much less understood. Seed dispersal internally and externally on 57 red deer individuals was investigated by sampling the seed content of intestinal tracts, fur, and hooves of animals shot during annual hunts in four contrasted landscapes in Denmark. We assessed compositional differences between dispersal modes whether plant species' association to a dispersal mode could be predicted by seed traits, whole-plant traits, and species' local abundance. We found the largest difference in seed species composition to be between epizoochory (fur and hooves) and endozoochory (gut contents). Probability of plant dispersal through guts and fur was correctly predicted from traits more often than not. Hoof-epizoochory, however, could not be correctly predicted from plant traits. Most plant species encountered were picked up by all three dispersal modes, suggesting an overriding effect of plant abundance in the landscapes in which the deer roam, which was also indicated by the statistical analysis. Nonetheless, a significant proportion of species were associated with either gut, fur, or hoof-borne dispersal, reflecting the effect of plant traits and, potentially, animal behavior. Plant species being dispersed more often than expected through intestines were mainly associated with ruderal habitats, whereas species transported via fur tended toward association with wooded habitats. Considering the increasing red deer populations in Europe, and the differences between seed dispersal modes, all modes of animal seed dispersal should be taken into account in future studies. OPEN RESEARCH BADGES This article has been awarded Open Data and Open Materials Badges. All materials and data are publicly accessible via the Open Science Framework at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7982483 and https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7982483.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja K. Petersen
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University MuseumNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
- Centre for Biodiversity DynamicsNTNUTrondheimNorway
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