Seed dispersal networks in tropical forest fragments: Area effects, remnant species, and interaction diversity

• Published in: Biotropica Vol. 52; no. 1; pp. 81 - 89
• Main Authors: Emer, Carine, Jordano, Pedro, Pizo, Marco A., Ribeiro, Milton C., Silva, Fernanda R., Galetti, Mauro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2020
• Subjects: anthropogenic activities; Area; Atlantic Forest; Biodiversity; Birds; defaunation; Dispersal; Dispersion; Disturbance; ecosystems; Empirical analysis; Environmental changes; extinction; Forest ecosystems; forest fragmentation; Fragmentation; Fragments; frugivores; Frugivory; Habitat changes; habitat destruction; Habitat fragmentation; Habitat loss; Habitats; homogenization; human disturbance; nestedness; Networks; network‐area relationship; Plant species; Seed dispersal; Seeds; Specialization; Species; Species diversity; Species extinction; species interactions; Threatened species; Tropical climate; Tropical forests

Seed dispersal interactions involve key ecological processes in tropical forests that help to maintain ecosystem functioning. Yet this functionality may be threatened by increasing habitat loss, defaunation, and fragmentation. However, generalist species, and their interactions, can benefit from the...