Synergistic effects of seed disperser and predator loss on recruitment success and long-term consequences for carbon stocks in tropical rainforests

Autor(es)

Culot, Laurence ; Bello, Carolina ; Ferreira Batista, Joao Luis ; Zarate do Couto, Hilton Thadeu ; Galetti, Mauro

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 7, AUG 9 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 18

Resumo

The extinction of large frugivores has consequences for the recruitment of large-seeded plants with potential lasting effects on carbon storage in tropical rainforests. However, previous studies relating frugivore defaunation to changes in carbon storage ignore potential compensation by redundant frugivores and the effects of seed predators on plant recruitment. Based on empirical data of the recruitment success of a large-seeded hardwood tree species (Cryptocarya mandioccana, Lauraceae) across a defaunation gradient of seed dispersers and predators, we show that defaunation increases both seed dispersal limitation and seed predation. Depending on the level of seed predator loss, plant recruitment is reduced by 70.7-94.9% as a result of the loss of seed dispersers. The loss of large seed predators increases the net seed mortality by 7-30% due to the increased abundance of small granivorous rodents. The loss of large seed dispersers can be buffered by the compensatory effects of smaller frugivores in seed removal, but it is not sufficient to prevent a decrease in plant recruitment. We show that the conservation of both seed predators and dispersers is necessary for the recruitment of large-seeded plants. Since these plants contribute substantially to carbon stocks, defaunation can jeopardize the maintenance of tropical forest carbon storage. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/01986-0 - Consequências ecológicas da defaunação na Mata Atlântica
• Beneficiário: Mauro Galetti Rodrigues
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 10/16075-1 - Efeitos em cascata da defaunação no processo de dispersão de sementes: interações primatas - plantas na Mata Atlântica
• Beneficiário: Laurence Marianne Vincianne Culot
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 14/14739-0 - O efeito da fragmentação sobre as funções ecológicas dos primatas
• Beneficiário: Laurence Marianne Vincianne Culot
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 13/22492-2 - Ligando defaunação e os serviços de ecossistemas de armazenamento de carbono em florestas atlânticas
• Beneficiário: Laura Carolina Bello Lozano
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto