NDLI: Microhabitat affects acorn removal in three sympatric and endangered Neotropical oak species

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	García Hernández, María de los Ángeles López Barrera, Fabiola Vásquez Reyes, Víctor Manuel
Copyright Year	2016
Abstract	Acorn removal and predation are processes that can influence forest dynamics and the ecological niche segregation of sympatric oak species. Different factors affect these processes, including differences in acorn germination rate and exposure to predators and/or dispersers. This study evaluated acorn removal and predation patterns in three threatened tropical cloud forest oak species (Quercus germana, Quercus sartorii and Quercus cortesii). Acorns were placed in two accessibility treatments (open to all potential acorn consumers vs. accessible to mice only) and in two types of microhabitat (covered by trunks, shrubs and herbaceous plants vs. uncovered). In addition, acorn germination rate was evaluated in a greenhouse. After 130 days, 76.67 ± 2.45 % of the seeds had been removed and the two accessibility treatments did not differ significantly. Mice were therefore shown as important predators and/or dispersers of acorns. Removal was greater in the covered (93.33 ± 2.04 %) compared to the uncovered (60.00 ± 4.01 %; P < 0.05) microhabitat. Acorn removal and germination were highest for Q. germana (82.00 ± 3.86 %, 91.67 ± 4.41 %, respectively), followed by Q. sartorii (79.00 ± 4.09 %; 50.00 ± 7.64 %) and Q. cortesii (69.00 ± 4.64 %; 13.33 ± 4.41 %); the same trend was recorded in the acorn germination rate (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that uncovered sites with partial shade might function as regeneration microhabitats where less acorn removal and higher germination occur. The implications of differential acorn trait preferences by rodents for the coexistence of these oak species are discussed.
Starting Page	343
Ending Page	351
Page Count	9
File Format	PDF
ISSN	09123814
Journal	Ecological Research
Volume Number	31
Issue Number	3
e-ISSN	14401703
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Japan
Publisher Date	2016-03-01
Publisher Place	Tokyo
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Acorn dispersal Quercus Acorn predation Tropical montane cloud forests Ecology Plant Sciences Zoology Evolutionary Biology Behavioral Sciences Forestry
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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