An empirical approach to analysing the demographic consequences of seed dispersal by frugivores.

Godínez–Álvarez, Héctor; Jordano, Pedro

doi:10.1079/9781845931650.0391

Cited by 29 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Population matrix models are nonspatial demographic models that analyze asymptotic growth of a population, assume discrete stages, constant transition probabilities, and constant population growth rates through time (Caswell , Gondinez‐Alvarez & Jordano ). Brodie et al .…”

Section: Estimating the Effects Of Dispersal On Population Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequences of Seed Dispersal for Plant Recruitment in Tropical Forests: Interactions Within the Seedscape

Beckman

Rogers

2013

Biotropica

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Seed dispersal sets the stage for the suite of biotic and abiotic interactions that determine the fate of individual seeds. In this review, we first focus on how dispersal influences the ‘seedscape’, or the combination of abiotic and biotic factors that affect the probability of recruitment once a seed has reached its final location. We review recent papers that examine the effect of different dispersal vectors on (1) the quality of the habitat in which a seed lands; (2) the distance seeds are dispersed from the parent tree; and (3) the density and composition of plants within the neighborhood of a seed following deposition. Next, we explore methods used to scale these processes up to the level of populations. We highlight demographic models that integrate across multiple life history stages and predict the impact of dispersal in variable environments on population growth. We also review studies that analyze existing spatial patterns of trees within large forest plots and use various strategies to infer the processes that led to those patterns. We continue to scale up from populations to communities, and discuss approaches that have been taken to understand how dispersal may affect diversity and abundance in the community. We then turn to human disturbances and discuss the implications of frugivore defaunation for plant communities. We finish by highlighting several areas of research that are particularly promising for future directions of study.

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Section: Estimating the Effects Of Dispersal On Population Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequences of Seed Dispersal for Plant Recruitment in Tropical Forests: Interactions Within the Seedscape

Beckman

Rogers

2013

Biotropica

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“…; Colling & Matthies ; Dahlgren & Ehrlén ; Souther & McGraw ). However, the influence of frugivorous animals or the combined effects of frugivory and microhabitat heterogeneity on plant population dynamics are rarely measured, and studies on this topic have produced mixed results (Godínez‐Alvarez & Jordano ; Loayza & Knight ). Due to their adaptation to narrow ecological conditions and limited geographical distribution, localized endemics are likely to suffer stronger effects of such stressors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To explicitly evaluate the individual or combined influence of targeted environmental change on population growth rate requires a demographic modelling approach (Morris & Doak ). Though many demographic studies have quantified the influence of various environmental factors on plant population dynamics, few studies have focused on the individual or combined impact of non‐native frugivores and alterations in abiotic conditions (Godínez‐Alvarez & Jordano ; Loayza & Knight ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microhabitat heterogeneity and a non‐native avian frugivore drive the population dynamics of an island endemic shrub, Cyrtandra dentata

Bialic‐Murphy

Gaoue

Kawelo³

2017

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary Understanding the role of environmental change in the decline of endangered species is critical for designing scale‐appropriate restoration plans. For locally endemic rare plants on the brink of extinction, frugivory can drastically reduce local recruitment by dispersing seeds away from geographically isolated populations. Dispersal of seeds away from isolated populations can ultimately lead to population decline. For localized endemic plants, fine‐scale changes in microhabitat can further limit population persistence. Evaluating the individual and combined impact of frugivores and microhabitat heterogeneity on the short‐term (i.e. transient) and long‐term (i.e. asymptotic) dynamics of plants will provide insight into the drivers of species rarity. In this study, we used 4 years of demographic data to develop matrix projection models for a long‐lived shrub, Cyrtandra dentata (H. St. John & Storey) (Gesneriaceae), which is endemic to the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i. Furthermore, we evaluated the individual and combined influence of a non‐native frugivorous bird, Leiothrix lutea, and microhabitat heterogeneity on the short‐term and long‐term C. dentata population dynamics. Frugivory by L. lutea decreased the short‐term and long‐term population growth rates. However, under the current level of frugivory at the field site the C. dentata population was projected to persist over time. Conversely, the removal of optimum microhabitat for seedling establishment (i.e. rocky gulch walls and boulders in the gulch bottom) reduced the short‐term and long‐term population growth rates from growing to declining. Survival of mature C. dentata plants had the greatest influence on long‐term population dynamics, followed by the growth of seedlings and immature plants. The importance of mature plant survival was even greater when we simulated the combined effect of frugivory and the loss of optimal microhabitat, relative to population dynamics based on field conditions. In the short‐term (10 years), however, earlier life stages had the greatest influence on population growth rate. Synthesis and applications. This study emphasizes how important it is to decouple rare plant management strategies in the short vs. long‐term in order to prioritize restoration actions, particularly when faced with multiple stressors not all of which can be feasibly managed. From an applied conservation perspective, our findings also illustrate that the life stage that, if improved by management, would have the greatest influence on population dynamics is dependent on the timeframe of interest and initial conditions of the population.

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“…within the context of plant population dynamics (Howe and Miriti 2004;Godínez-Á lvarez and Jordano 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction between ungulates and bruchid beetles and its effect on Acacia trees: modeling the costs and benefits of seed dispersal to plant demography

2011

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Integrative studies of plant-animal interactions that incorporate the multiple effects of interactions are important for discerning the importance of each factor within the population dynamics of a plant species. The low regeneration capacity of many Acacia species in arid savannas is a consequence of a combination of reduction in seed dispersal and high seed predation. Here we studied how ungulates (acting as both seed dispersers and herbivores) and bruchid beetles (post-dispersal seed predators) modulate the population dynamics of A. raddiana, a keystone species in the Middle East. We developed two simulation models of plant demography: the first included seed ingestion by ungulates and seed predation by bruchids, whereas the second model additionally incorporated herbivory by ungulates. We also included the interacting effects of seed removal and body mass, because larger ungulates destroy proportionally fewer seeds and enhance seed germination. Simulations showed that the negative effect of seed predation on acacia population size was compensated for by the positive effect of seed ingestion at 50 and 30% seed removal under scenarios with and without herbivory, respectively. Smaller ungulates (e.g., <35 kg) must necessarily remove tenfold more seeds than larger ungulates (e.g., >250 kg) to compensate for the negative effect of seed predation. Seedling proportion increased with seed removal in the model with herbivory. Managing and restoring acacia seed dispersers is key to conserving acacia populations, because low-to-medium seed removal could quickly restore their regeneration capacity.

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An empirical approach to analysing the demographic consequences of seed dispersal by frugivores.

Cited by 29 publications

References 45 publications

Consequences of Seed Dispersal for Plant Recruitment in Tropical Forests: Interactions Within the Seedscape

Consequences of Seed Dispersal for Plant Recruitment in Tropical Forests: Interactions Within the Seedscape

Microhabitat heterogeneity and a non‐native avian frugivore drive the population dynamics of an island endemic shrub, Cyrtandra dentata

Interaction between ungulates and bruchid beetles and its effect on Acacia trees: modeling the costs and benefits of seed dispersal to plant demography

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