Frugivore diversity increases frugivory rates along a large elevational gradient

摘要: The effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning is increasingly well understood, but it has mainly been studied in small-scale experiments plant-based functions. In contrast, the relevance for animal-mediated functions like seed dispersal still poses an important gap ecological knowledge. particular, little understood how avian diversity affects frugivory rates, one most parameters along large environmental gradients. Even less known about context dependence frugivore–frugivory relationship. We used artificial fruits to analyze experimentally abundance and richness three frugivore guilds (with incrementally more stringent classifications frugivory) contributed rates across 13 different habitat types elevational gradient from 870 4550 m a.s.l. at Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. further investigated context, terms local vegetation structure natural fruit availability, modified relationship between frugivores rates. Our results demonstrate that positive holds a gradient. found marked differences among types, which were strongly related obligate frugivorous birds. Vegetation had no significant An intermediate enhanced this did not alter These emphasize fundamental importance suggest