Forest Dynamics
Indigenous knowledge and forest succession management in the Brazilian Amazon: Contributions to reforestation of degraded areasBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Basin-Wide Effects of Game Harvest on Vertebrate Population Densities in Amazonian Forests: Implications for Animal-Mediated Seed DispersalBackgroundTropical forest ecosystems rely heavily on animal-plant interactions, especially seed dispersal by vertebrates. In the Amazon, widespread hunting significantly reduces populations of many vertebrate species, particularly large-bodied frugivores that play a key role in dispersing seeds of large-seeded plants. Although some species show greater sensitivity to hunting than others, the overall impact of hunting across the Amazon basin remains poorly quantified. This study aims to understand how subsistence hunting affects vertebrate populations and, in turn, the ecological services they provide—most notably seed dispersal. Open access copy available |
Quantifying the Impacts of Defaunation on Natural Forest Regeneration in a Global Meta-AnalysisBackgroundIntact forests provide critical ecosystem services like carbon storage and climate regulation, relying heavily on interactions between woody vegetation and animal species. However, defaunation alters these interactions on a global scale. While previous studies explore defaunation’s effects on individual ecosystems, no comprehensive global analysis quantifies its impact on natural forest regeneration. This study conducts a meta-analysis to assess how vertebrate loss influences forest regeneration across multiple regions and ecosystems, identifying key taxonomic groups and ecological processes most affected by defaunation. Available with subscription or purchase |
Synergistic Effects of Seed Disperser and Predator Loss on Recruitment Success and Long-Term Consequences for Carbon Stocks in Tropical RainforestsBackgroundDefaunation—the loss of animal species due to hunting, habitat destruction, and other human activities—affects tropical forests profoundly. Large frugivores play a key role in seed dispersal, while seed predators influence recruitment success and plant population dynamics. Previous studies focus mainly on how defaunation impacts seed dispersal but often overlook the role of seed predators and potential compensatory ecosystem effects. This study examines how losing both seed dispersers and seed predators simultaneously affects tree recruitment and long-term carbon storage in tropical forests. Open access copy available |
Contrasting Effects of Defaunation on Aboveground Carbon Storage Across the Global TropicsBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Fungi and Insects Compensate for Lost Vertebrate Seed Predation in an Experimentally Defaunated Tropical ForestBackgroundDefaunation disrupts key plant-animal interactions such as seed dispersal and seed predation, triggering cascading effects on plant regeneration, species composition, and carbon storage. While past studies emphasize the negative consequences of losing vertebrate seed dispersers and predators, it remains unclear whether other organisms like fungi and insects can compensate for these losses. This study investigates whether non-vertebrate predators offset the decline of large vertebrate seed predators in a tropical rainforest. Open access copy available |
Size-Related Differential Seed Predation in a Heavily Defaunated Neotropical Rain ForestBackgroundDefaunation, driven by hunting and habitat loss, disproportionately affects medium and large mammals, often leaving behind a residual community dominated by small rodents. This shift in mammal communities can alter seed predation dynamics and impact forest regeneration. In heavily defaunated areas like Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, small rodents have become the primary seed predators. This study investigates whether seed predation patterns differ based on seed size in a highly defaunated forest. Specifically, it examines whether small rodents preferentially consume small seeds while large-seeded species escape predation, potentially influencing seed germination and plant recruitment. Open access copy available |
Seed dispersal strategies and the threat of defaunation in a Congo forestBackgroundSeed dispersal plays a critical role in shaping plant communities and maintaining biodiversity in tropical forests. In the Congo Basin, most tree species depend on animals (zoochory) to disperse their seeds, with large vertebrates such as forest elephants and bonobos serving as key dispersers. However, hunting and poaching threaten these animals, potentially triggering cascading effects on forest structure and plant regeneration. This study investigates the extent of animal-mediated seed dispersal in the LuiKotale forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and evaluates how hunting pressure on frugivores may influence tree community composition. Available with subscription or purchase |
Drivers and spatial patterns of avian defaunation in tropical forestsBackgroundTropical forests harbor an immense diversity of bird species, but hunting and wildlife trade are driving widespread declines in bird populations. Unlike habitat loss, hunting often occurs in seemingly intact forests, making its impact more difficult to detect. Birds are harvested for both subsistence (food) and commercial purposes (pet trade), but the spatial extent and drivers of avian defaunation remain poorly understood. This study aims to assess the factors influencing bird population declines and map defaunation patterns across tropical forests. Open access copy available |
Using Janzen–Connell to predict the consequences of defaunation and other disturbances of tropical forestsBackgroundThe Janzen–Connell (J–C) model describes how seed dispersal and mortality shape tropical forest diversity. According to the model, seeds that fall close to their parent trees suffer high mortality due to host-specific predators, pathogens, and herbivores. In contrast, seeds dispersed farther away have a better chance of survival. Defaunation, particularly the loss of large-bodied seed dispersers, disrupts this balance by reducing seed dispersal distances. This study applies the J–C model to predict how defaunation and other disturbances affect tree recruitment and forest composition. Available with subscription or purchase |
