Native, Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) at Pasoh and Their Impacts on the Plant Community

摘要: Although many large-bodied terrestrial mammals are presently extinct or exceedingly rare at Pasoh Forest Reserve (Pasoh FR), the native, wild pigs (Sus scrofa) thriving. Line transect surveys conducted in 1996 and 1998 yielded density estimates of 47.0 27.0 pigs/km2, respectively. These among highest ever recorded for this species. Important factors contributing to maintenance such high pig FR likely absence large carnivores an abundant year-round food supply oil palm plantations that virtually surround reserve. Several studies have recently addressed some effects a may on understory plant community FR. To quantify soil rooting seed predation by woody saplings, exclosures were constructed primary forest center After two years number recruits, total stem density, species richness, height growth greater inside enclosed areas than paired control plots which had access. Another study examined prevalence nest building pigs. When ready deliver young, pregnant females snap off uproot tree liana saplings 40–350 cm height. stems meticulously piled into dome-shaped structures under female gives birth. Annual nests western 25-ha permanent 50-ha plot. More 600 located over four-year period, average 6.0 constructed/ha/ year. Based examinations 10 damage surrounding areas, each contained 145 uprooted additional 122 snapped off, leaving behind stumps. Pigs gathered these from area 244 m2 nest, damaging killing 53% vegetation > 70 tall 85,000 stumps/km2 FR, suggesting regeneration future composition be influenced considerably resprouting abilities damaged plants. 1,800 stumps 36 months investigate resprouting. There differences success with different life history characteristics taxonomic associations. Stumps Dipterocarpaceae wide margin lowest survivorship 19 most common families study. Overall, data suggest if continue hyper-abundant reserve there could shift away economically ecologically paramount Dipterocarpaceae.