Defaunation is known to have pervasive, negative effects on tropical forests, but this is not the whole story.

ABSTRACT: Ecosystem functioning and integrity are affected by the loss of large-bodied animals, and comprehending when and how ecosystems are affected is an important goal of defaunation ecology. Despite considerable investigation, our understanding is incomplete. Previous research is biased towards the study of seed dispersal in the Neotropics. This study examined whether and how defaunation affects stem density, species diversity, species composition, spatial distribution, and dispersal mode composition of young understorey plants in an Afrotropical setting. Rectangular plots along transects and wedge-shaped plots under focal trees of five mammal-dispersed species were used to compare three sites representing a defaunation gradient in the Dja faunal reserve in Cameroon. Results showed no change in

SUBMITTER: Boiten G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10470957 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature