Effects of seed predators of different body size on seed mortality in Bornean logged forest.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Janzen-Connell hypothesis proposes that seed and seedling enemies play a major role in maintaining high levels of tree diversity in tropical forests. However, human disturbance may alter guilds of seed predators including their body size distribution. These changes have the potential to affect seedling survival in logged forest and may alter forest composition and diversity.

Methodology/principal findings

We manipulated seed density in plots beneath con- and heterospecific adult trees within a logged forest and excluded vertebrate predators of different body sizes using cages. We show that small and large-bodied predators differed in their effect on con- and heterospecific seedling mortality. In combination small and large-bodied predators dramatically decreas

SUBMITTER: Hautier Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2906513 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature