The Role of Mammals in Structuring Seed Dispersal Networks in Brazilian Ecorregions

• Grant number: 23/02722-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2023
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Mathias Mistretta Pires
• Grantee: Rubia Ferreira dos Santos Morini
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Mutualistic interactions such as seed dispersal interactions are considered architects of biodiversity and can serve as tools in management plans for degraded areas. The ecological networks approach to the study of seed dispersal interactions is capable of generating insights into the structure and dynamics of communities, allowing the analysis of various ecological systems and the understanding of the consequences of biodiversity for ecosystem functioning. However, this approach has limitations regarding taxonomic, temporal or spatial coverage, which implies the risk of losing relevant information. In Brazil, for example, besides the huge disparity between the knowledge of seed dispersal interactions in the Atlantic Forest and in other biomes, the role of mammals in these networks remains unknown, as most studies focus mainly on birds as dispersers. Here, we propose to assess the effects on the structure of seed dispersal networks by broadening the taxonomic and spatial scope. To do so, we will use empirical data and models to generate representative seed dispersal networks for each of the six major Brazilian ecorregions. We will analyze how adding mammals to seed dispersal networks with only birds as dispersers changes the structure and properties of the networks. Furthermore, using species-level metrics and removal simulations, we will quantify the species-specific role of seed dispersers in the structural integrity of networks. With this, we aim to contribute to the understanding of seed dispersal networks in Brazil and provide important information for conservation and management in each of the ecorregions.