Frugivores enhance potential carbon recovery in fragmented tropical landscapes

Abstract

Forest restoration is fundamental to overcoming biodiversity crises and climate change. However, restoration success remains challenging. In tropical forests, animals can improve forest recovery as they disperse > 70% of tree species. Until now, representing animals in restoration and climate change policies remains challenging because we lack a quantitative assessment of their contribution to forest and carbon recovery. Here, we used individual-based models to assess frugivore-mediated seed rain in open areas along a fragmentation gradient. Movements of large birds were limited in landscapes with > 40% forest cover, although small birds continued to disperse seeds. Large birds disperse seeds from late-successional species with higher carbon-storage potential. Therefore, their restricted movement reduced by 35% the potential carbon that can be absorbed. Maintaining forest cover > 40% is essential to optimize animals' contribution to restoration success. In contrast, active restoration (e.g., planting trees) is required in fragmented landscapes to achieve carbon and biodiversity targets.