Direct and indirect effects of landscape, forest patch and sampling site predictors on biotic interaction and seed process

Author(s)

Molina, Michele ; Martins, Caue Paiva Vidigal ; Raniero, Mariana ; Fortes, Livia Sa ; Terra, Marcos Felipe Marques ; Ramos, Flavio Nunes ; Ribeiro, Milton Cezar ; Hasui, Erica

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANT ECOLOGY; v. 224, n. 1, p. 20-pg., 2022-12-06.

Abstract

Understanding the response of seed rain and seed bank to landscape changes is critical for maintaining the forest remnants integrity and the potential for natural regeneration in abandoned lands. Ecological research typically focuses on direct responses of these seed processes (i.e., seed rain and seed bank), without considering the relationship between them or the indirect impact of landscape changes on these processes via its influence on seed dispersers and seed predation. Here, we employ structuring equation modeling to quantify the direct and indirect effects of landscape structure and biotic interaction on bird-dispersed seed rain and seed banks in the Atlantic Forest. We conducted the study in 20 highly fragmented landscapes. Our study shows that lower seed disperser, seed rain and seed bank abundances, as well as higher seed predation rates will be found in a landscape context with higher percentage of pasture, isolated forest fragments and in matrices far from forest edge. The indirect effect of landscape change was related to the negative influence of seed predation rates on the seed bank abundance. Based on our results, we recommend managing the landscapes trying to increase the connectivity among the forest remnants and reduce the percentage of pasture, in order to improve the seed dispersal and decrease the seed predation rates. In addition, it is essential that management plans evaluate these processes as a whole to accelerate forest recovery due to the complex relationships associated with seed rain and seed bank. [GRAPHICS] . (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/01779-5 - Biodiversity in the Anthropocene: agroecosystem effects on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function maintenance
• Grantee: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/50421-2 - New sampling methods and statistical tools for biodiversity research: integrating animal movement ecology with population and community ecology
• Grantee: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/10195-0 - Contribution of payment for ecosystem services on multi-dimensions within Atlantic Forest
• Grantee: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/08534-0 - Biodiversity and associated ecosystem services: LTER Corridor of Cantareira Mantiqueira
• Grantee: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/10760-1 - Biodiversity in the Anthropocene: a synthesis on the effect of agriculture expansion within Cerrado and Atlantic Forest
• Grantee: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - Brazil