The ecological significance of secondary seed dispersal by carnivores

摘要: Animals play an important role in the seed dispersal of many plants. It is increasingly recognized, however, that actions a single disperser rarely determine seed's fate and final location; rather, multiple abiotic or animal vectors are involved. Some carnivores act as secondary dispersers by preying on primary predators, inadvertently consuming seeds contained their prey's digestive tracts later depositing viable seeds, process known diploendozoochory. Carnivores occupy array ecological niches thus range broadly landscape. Consequently, could have consequences for plant outcomes, with implications ecosystem functioning under changing climate across disturbed landscapes where may be otherwise limited. For example, trophic downgrading through loss reduce eliminate diploendozoochory compromise population connectivity lower levels. We review literature conclude impact vs. depends relative distances, germination success, proportion exposed to carnivores. None studies up present day been able rigorously assess significance this process. provide framework components systems identify must addressed future attempting importance