Poachers Alter Mammal Abundance, Seed Dispersal, and Seed Predation in a Neotropical Forest

摘要: We evaluated the hypothesis that poachers reduce abundance of herbivorous mammals, and this, in turn, alters seed dispersal, predation, seedling recruitment for two palms ( Attalea bu- tyraceae Astrocaryum standleyanum ) central Panama. Using physical evidence left by in- terviews with forest guards, we quantified poaching intensity eight sites. mammal using transect counts small-mammal traps. Abundance was inversely related to 9 11 species (significantly so 5 species), confirming first component hy- pothesis. The outcome interactions among seeds, beetles also varied inten- sity. Nonvolant mammals were only seed-dispersal agents, rodents predators. fate examining stony endocarps encase seeds both palms. large, durable located easily on floor bear characteristic scars when a rodent or beetle eats enclosed seed. proportion dispersed away from beneath fruiting conspecifics intensity, ranging 85% 99% at protected sites where abundant 3% 40% unprotected most active. dis- persed destroyed directly 0% 10% pro- tected 30% 50% 4% Finally, densities intensity. There no single relationship between biotic determine recruitment. net effect can be determined empirically. For these palms,