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Response of avian and mammal seed dispersal networks to human-induced forest edges in a sub-humid tropical forest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2022

Patrícia P. Chaves Open the ORCID record for Patrícia P. Chaves [Opens in a new window] ,
Sérgio Timóteo Open the ORCID record for Sérgio Timóteo [Opens in a new window] ,
Sara Gomes Open the ORCID record for Sara Gomes [Opens in a new window]  and
Ana Rainho Open the ORCID record for Ana Rainho [Opens in a new window]
Patrícia P. Chaves*
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016Lisboa, Portugal
Sérgio Timóteo
Affiliation:
Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456Coimbra, Portugal
Sara Gomes
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016Lisboa, Portugal
Ana Rainho
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016Lisboa, Portugal
*
Author for correspondence: Patrícia P. Chaves, Email: fc50252@alunos.fc.ul.pt
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Abstract

Species-rich ecosystems as tropical forests are extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic destruction. Most tropical plant species rely on animals to disperse their seeds. However, patterns of mutualistic interactions have rarely been explored, and seed dispersal networks are still poorly studied in Africa. Here, we examine how forest edges’ (FE) seed dispersal networks differ from the mature forest (MF) at a West African sub-humid tropical forest within the National Park of Cantanhez (Guinea-Bissau). Additionally, we explore species’ roles within the network. MF had higher fruit availability, more frugivore visitors, and plant–frugivore interactions. Network structure was quite similar between habitats, showing signs of redundancy, and some robustness to species’ extinction. FE was more nested, modular, and specialized, whereas MF had higher connectance, interaction evenness, and robustness to extinction. Most species were generalists, but large-bodied frugivores prevailed at MF. FE showed a higher vulnerability, mostly to the loss of trees. Trees are key, keeping the structure of both networks. Large-bodied frugivores and fruiting-tree species that work as network connectors should thus be the focus of active conservation management in these forests. Only viable populations of these species will ensure a good performance of the seed dispersal network, promoting the natural regeneration of the ecosystem.

Keywords

Seed dispersalPlant-frugivore networksForest edgeBirdsMammals
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 38 , Issue 4 , July 2022 , pp. 199 - 209
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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