Effects of forest fragmentation on the granivory of differently sized seeds

摘要: The Maulino forest is a unique temperate ecosystem restricted to small range of the coast central Chile. This harbors many endemic species, and threatened due intensive deforestation fragmentation. Currently composed suite fragments scattered in landscape dominated by exotic plantations. fragmentation has resulted higher abundance granivores compared with continuous forest. In order determine if fragmentation-induced changes granivore affects granivory different size seeds, we experimentally assessed seed predation large-seeded species [Nothofagus glauca (Phil.) Krasser] small-seeded obliqua (Mirbel) Oersted] edges interior one (large) three (∼3 ha) surrounded plantations tree Pinus radiata. To what kind are preying upon seeds both were excluded from exposed large granivores. Granivory was than forest, interior, on seeds. Rodents, which more abundant fragments, main consumers. Thus, indeed increasing consumption predators inhabiting remnants or coming matrix. change may affect future structure community fragments.