Vegetation diversity influences endozoochoric seed dispersal by moose (Alces alces L.)

Abstract

Research on moose-mediated seed dispersal is limited. However, its potential role in transferring seeds in patchy landscapes may be of great importance. In this work we examined how seasons and vegetation diversity influence the species richness and abundance of seeds dispersed endozoochorically by moose. Samples of moose faeces were collected year-round, fortnightly, from contrasting vegetation types, dominated by diverse, species-rich wetland or poor, dry pine forest. The viable seed content of dung was studied by the seedling emergence method. The mean number of emerged seedlings per 0.8 L sample and the mean number of plant species per 0.8 L sample were several times higher in the diverse wetland vegetation than in the poor pine forest vegetation. Maximum species richness and seed abundance was observed during the fructification period, and the minimum during spring. The species richness of samples did not differ between winter and the growing season, although the composition of plant species was different. The results of this study suggest that moose are efficient seed vectors, especially of grasses typical for grasslands and wetlands. The species richness and abundance of dispersed seeds coincides with the diversity of the vegetation of the animal’s habitat.

Stable isotope signatures of large herbivore foraging habitats across Europe

“…As the mean forest cover in the bison habitats was 10% higher than in the moose habitats, we expected that moose should use open areas (including marshlands, wastelands etc.) to a wider extent [ 63 ], as they are not actively confined to forest habitats as bison do, and therefore, have higher δ 13 C cor . However, we found similar average δ 13 C cor values in both species.…”

Seed dispersal by ungulates as an ecological filter: a trait‐based meta‐analysis

“…There are only few studies including whole guilds of seed dispersers (Eycott et al , Jaroszewicz et al ) and all of them univocally show significant differences between plant assemblages, seed numbers and frequency of plant species dispersed by each herbivore. However, interpretation of the results of whole‐guild, single‐site studies is unclear, as the same vector compared between different habitats may have different dispersal characteristics depending on vegetation type (Cosyns et al , Jaroszewicz et al ).…”

Assessing the role of large herbivores in the structuring and functioning of freshwater and marine angiosperm ecosystems

“…Green turtle (Christianen et al 2012) Transport modification Transport of other organisms Dispersal of aquatic plants and animals through endo-and exozoochory Swans, moose (Clausen et al 2002, Van Leeuwen et al 2012, Jaroszewicz et al 2013, Green and Elmberg 2014 Geomorphological modification Geomorphological engineering Dam creation Beaver (Naiman et al 1986, Wright et al 2002, Rosell et al 2005 Increasing burial, holes, wallows and trails, increasing erosion and trampling impacts, maintaining ponds during draw periods Hippopotamus, green turtle, moose, elk, beaver, dugongs, water buffalo (Luckenbach 1986, Naiman and Rogers 1997, McCarthy et al 1998, MacDonald 2001, Deocampo 2002, Skilleter et al 2007, Mosepele et al 2009, Grey and Jackson 2012, Heithaus et al 2014, Hood and Larson 2015 Hydrological engineering Altering water levels and flow of water through the landscape by construction work Beaver, hippopotamus (McCarthy et al 1998…”

“…While most propagules will be lost as they may be digested or excreted in unsuitable habitats, rare, successful long distance dispersal events can be of high significance for instance in promoting species range expansions or in maintaining gene flow between distant populations (Figuerola et al , Brochet et al , Sanchez et al ). Whereas for other groups of large aquatic herbivores little information on dispersal is available, similar processes may occur in marine environments, where large herbivores transport seeds of seagrasses (Sumoski and Orth , McMahon et al ) whereas in freshwater habitats mammalian herbivores can also carry seeds (Jaroszewicz et al ). Their potential as dispersal vectors of submerged plants will depend strongly on the digestion physiology and movement ecology of the species.…”