Comparing seed removal rates in actively and passively restored tropical moist forests
Loading...
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Restoration Ecology
Abstract
High rates of seed removal can impede forest recovery, but tropical seed removal studies are few and mainly from the
neotropics. Little is known about the comparative influences of active restoration (i.e. planting) and passive restoration (i.e.
protection of natural regrowth) on seed removal. We conducted an evaluation of seed removal in grasslands, natural forests
(tropical moist semideciduous forest), and actively (21-, 17-, 16-, 11-, 8-, and 6-year-old) and passively (21-year-old) restored
forests in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We wanted to compare the effect of vegetation type, time since restoration and
restoration actions (i.e. active vs. passive) on removal of seeds of five animal-dispersed tree species during wet and dry seasons.
Seeds were either fully exposed or placed in closed mesh cages or under a mesh roof. We used differential removal rates
between these treatments to attribute seed removal to different animal taxa. Seed removal rate (percentage of seed removed
over a 4-day period) was highest in passively restored forests, compared with actively restored forests, grasslands, and natural
forests.We detected no significant relationship between time since restoration and seed removal rates within actively restored
sites. Seed removal rate from roofed treatments was not significantly different from removal from open treatments but was
significantly higher than removal from closed treatments, which we interpret as reflecting the greater effect of small mammals
versus insects. Smaller seeds tended to be removed at a greater rate than larger seeds. We discuss the implications of these
findings for forest regeneration.
Description
Keywords
Active and passive restorations, Arrested succession, Sseed predation, Seed removal, Time since restoration, Tropical forests
Citation
Ssekuubwa, E., Loe, L. E., Sheil, D., Tweheyo, M., & Moe, S. R. (2018). Comparing seed removal rates in actively and passively restored tropical moist forests. Restoration Ecology, 26(4), 720-728. doi: 10.1111/rec.12629