Ciencias,UNAM

Effects of herbivory and patch size on tree seedling survivorship in a fog-dependent coastal rainforest in semiarid Chile

DSpace/Manakin Repository

Show simple item record

dc.contributor.author del-Val, E
dc.contributor.author Armesto, JJ
dc.contributor.author Barbosa, O
dc.contributor.author Marquet, PA
dc.date.accessioned 2011-01-22T10:27:08Z
dc.date.available 2011-01-22T10:27:08Z
dc.date.issued 2007
dc.identifier.issn 0029-8549
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/11154/2277
dc.description.abstract The landscape (matrix) surrounding habitat fragments critically affects the biodiversity of those fragments due to biotic interchange and physical effects. However, to date, there have been only a limited number of studies on plant-animal interactions in fragmented landscapes, particularly on how tree seedling herbivory is affected by fragmentation. We have examined this question in a fog-dependent mosaic of rainforest fragments located on coastal mountaintops of semiarid Chile (30 degrees S), where the effects of the surrounding semiarid matrix and forest patch size (0.1-22 ha) on tree seedling survival were simultaneously addressed. The rainforest is strongly dominated by the endemic evergreen tree species Aextoxicon punctatum (Olivillo, approx. 80% of basal area). To assess the magnitudes and causes of Olivillo seedling mortality, we set up a field experiment where 512 tree seedlings of known age were transplanted into four forest fragments of different sizes in four 1.5 x 3-m plots per patch en_US
dc.description.abstract one-half of each plot was fenced off with chicken wire to exclude small mammals. The plots were monitored for 22 months. Overall, 50% of the plants died during the experiment. The exclusion of small mammals from the plots increased seedling survival by 25%, with the effect being greater in smaller patches where matrix-dwelling herbivores are more abundant. This experiment highlights the important role of the surrounding matrix in affecting the persistence of trees in forest fragments. Because herbivores from the matrix cause greater tree seedling mortality in small patches, their effects must be taken into account in forest conservation-restoration plans. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.title Effects of herbivory and patch size on tree seedling survivorship in a fog-dependent coastal rainforest in semiarid Chile en_US
dc.type Article en_US
dc.identifier.idprometeo 1105
dc.identifier.doi 10.1007/s00442-007-0778-z
dc.source.novolpages 153(3):625-632
dc.subject.wos Ecology
dc.description.index WoS: SCI, SSCI o AHCI
dc.subject.keywords habitat fragmentation
dc.subject.keywords plant-animal interactions
dc.subject.keywords tree regeneration
dc.subject.keywords water limitation
dc.relation.journal Oecologia

Files in this item

Files Size Format View

There are no files associated with this item.

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search DSpace


Advanced Search

Browse

My Account