Seedling fate across different habitats: The effects of herbivory and soil fertility

摘要: The impact of extinction predators and subsequent herbivore release on ecosystem functioning has been well studied in temperate ecosystems, yet we have very little information threatened tropical rainforests. Herbivore overbrowsing can profound effects processes through overconsumption or by altering organic inputs leaves roots as changing soil physical chemical properties. We evaluated the fate transplanted seedlings four tree species nutrient availability open control plots enclosed that permitted free access insects excluded vertebrates collected samples old-fields, early secondary forests old-growth forests. Seedling damage predominantly occurred dry season produced an overall seedling mortality 72%, with values 43% 86% prohibited vertebrate access, respectively. Except for Myrsine coriacea old-fields Syagrus romanzoffiana forest, suffered greater rates plots, showing aboveground large herbivores, such capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), might prevent at least delay plant recruitment areas supporting elevated densities. However, delayed deaths from disease fertility-related factors were observed late summer old-field seedlings, suggesting previous activities these had led to changes Herbivores may important consequences forest regeneration, slow down cycling, promote cascading bottom-up consumers, ultimately lead ecological meltdown. These provide insight into faunal change human-altered habitats.