Seed dispersal by carnivorous mammals into burnt forests: An opportunity for non-indigenous and cultivated plant species

Rost, Josep; Pons, Pere; Bas, Josep M.

doi:10.1016/j.baae.2012.08.016

Cited by 30 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…) such as linear developments. Indeed, whereas some vertebrates avoid them (Forman & Alexander ; James & Stuart‐Smith ), many seed‐dispersing mammals all over the world, such as the red fox Vulpes vulpes L. (Rost, Pons & Bas ), the coyote Canis latrans Say (Fedriani & Kohn ), the martens Martes spp (López‐Bao & González‐Varo ) and the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus L. (Authors unpublished data), seem to positively select SLD verges for defecation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This lack of knowledge is especially surprising in the case of plants, since their mobility is limited and relies on dispersal vectors that are likely to interact with prominent landscape elements (Damschen et al 2008) such as linear developments. Indeed, whereas some vertebrates avoid them (Forman & Alexander 1998;James & Stuart-Smith 2000), many seed-dispersing mammals all over the world, such as the red fox Vulpes vulpes L. (Rost, Pons & Bas 2012), the coyote Canis latrans Say (Fedriani & Kohn 2001), the martens Martes spp (L opez-Bao & Gonz alez-Varo 2011) and the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus L. (Authors unpublished data), seem to positively select SLD verges for defecation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Barriers or corridors? The overlooked role of unpaved roads in endozoochorous seed dispersal

Suárez‐Esteban

Delibes

Fedriani

2013

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary1. Ubiquitous linear developments, such as dirt tracks and firebreaks, termed 'soft' linear developments (SLD), represent weaker landscape modifications than paved roads and highways but still could strongly affect populations and communities. Many animals avoid SLD, but some terrestrial mammals seem to select them for faecal marking. Faeces often contain many viable seeds; therefore, SLD may receive a substantial amount and diversity of seeds, which could have important overlooked consequences for plant recruitment. 2. To evaluate the potential role of SLD as seed attractors, we surveyed transects along SLD verges and along the adjacent scrubland in three patches of Mediterranean scrubland. On each transect, we collected ungulate, carnivore and rabbit faeces during two fruiting seasons (2009 and 2010). We quantified all seeds from fleshy-fruit shrubs within faeces and compared their abundance and diversity at SLD verges vs. adjacent scrubland. 3. The frequency of defecation along SLD varied greatly among dispersers, but ungulates avoided SLD for defecation, and carnivores and rabbits positively selected them. Seed prevalence was higher in faeces of carnivores, and seed damage low compared with faeces of rabbits and especially ungulates. 4. The role of SLD as seed attractors was species-dependent. We found from 2Á7 to 124 times more viable seeds of carnivore-and rabbit-dispersed plants along SLD than in the scrubland, while ungulate-dispersed plants were more abundant in the scrubland. Of 13 mammal-dispersed shrubs, 4 species were exclusively found along SLD verges, two were found only in the scrubland, and seven were found in both habitats. 5. Synthesis and applications. By promoting mammal-mediated seed dispersal, soft linear developments (SLD) may act as seed corridors. Given the extremely high density of SLD world-wide, SLD hold a significant overlooked role for management and plant conservation actions. Dispersers selecting SLD can promote roadside restoration, potentially saving financial resources. These feasible benefits must be weighed up against potential spread of alien or undesirable plant species, but we demonstrate the SLD represent a valuable management tool.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers or corridors? The overlooked role of unpaved roads in endozoochorous seed dispersal

Suárez‐Esteban

Delibes

Fedriani

2013

Journal of Applied Ecology

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“…There is some evidence that a substantial part of the animal manure is deposited in the close vicinity of burrows (Neal and Roper 1991;Hutchings et al 2001;Kowalczyk et al 2004) and that this may lead to local eutrophication. Deposition of feces may also be associated with seed dispersal of plants producing fleshy fruit, which during some periods are an important component of the carnivore diet (Goszczyn´ski et al 2000;Sidorovich et al 2006;Fedriani and Delibes 2009;Fedriani et al 2010;Rosalino and Santos-Reis 2009;Rost et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Burrowing by badgers (Meles meles) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) changes soil conditions and vegetation in a European temperate forest

Kurek

Kapusta

Holeksa

2013

Ecological Research

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This study examined the effects of burrow digging and habitation by the European badger (Meles meles) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) on soil properties and the plant community. The vegetation of control plots located in a similar but undisturbed habitat was compared with that of 18 burrow plots established at badger setts (N = 9) and fox dens (N = 9) in a lowland forest area in Poland. Soil physicochemical properties at different disturbance levels (mounds, intermounds and reference areas) were also investigated. The animals altered nutrient availability in the burrow plots considerably by excavating material from deep soil horizons that were less acidic and higher in K, Ca, Mg and available P but poorer in C and N. The effect was stronger for the badger, probably because it displaced larger amounts of material and disturbed wider areas. The activity of the two carnivores induced similar changes in plant communities. They increased herbaceous species richness and caused a shift in the herbaceous species composition: versus the control plots, the burrow plots contained more fugitive species (short-living plants typical for disturbed environments), among which ruderal forbs, including nutrient-demanding species, dominated. The carnivores also increased the species richness of fleshyfruited shrubs and trees. The primary reason for this was probably not burrowing but endozoochorous seed dispersal. Overall, the results indicate that the badger setts and fox dens differ significantly from the forest matrix in terms of soil and vegetation parameters, and that they contribute to habitat heterogeneity and biological diversity.

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“…This may be an important mechanism whereby early seral habitats are seeded. For example, in experimental and field tests in severely burned Aleppo pine forest in Spain, Rost et al (2012) demonstrated that carnivores, including red fox, stone marten, and European badger (Meles meles), were important dispersers of Mediterranean hackberry (Celtis australis) seeds into the burned areas. These carnivores traveled long distances into the fire area, dispersing seeds more than 1 km from the parent plant.…”

Section: Box 43 Seed Dispersal By Carnivoresmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The loss of bats in North America could cost the economy $3.7 billion per year in agricultural losses alone (Boyles et al, 2011). Small mammals aerate the soil and, along with many carnivores, are important dispersers of seeds and fungi (Maser et al, 1978;Rost et al, 2012). Large carnivores are top-down regulators of smaller carnivores and ungulates, and are vital to the health and function of natural ecosystems.…”

Section: Management and Conservation Relevancementioning

confidence: 99%

Mammals and Mixed- and High-severity Fire

Bond

2015

The Ecological Importance of Mixed-Severity Fires

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Seed dispersal by carnivorous mammals into burnt forests: An opportunity for non-indigenous and cultivated plant species

Cited by 30 publications

References 35 publications

Barriers or corridors? The overlooked role of unpaved roads in endozoochorous seed dispersal

Barriers or corridors? The overlooked role of unpaved roads in endozoochorous seed dispersal

Burrowing by badgers (Meles meles) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) changes soil conditions and vegetation in a European temperate forest

Mammals and Mixed- and High-severity Fire

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