A large-scale assessment of plant dispersal mode and seed traits across human-modified Amazonian forests

摘要: Quantifying the impact of habitat disturbance on ecosystem function is critical to understanding and predicting future tropical forests. Many studies have examined post‐disturbance changes in animal traits related mutualistic interactions with plants, but effect plant diverse forests has received much less attention. Focusing two study regions eastern Brazilian Amazon, we used a trait‐based approach examine how seed dispersal functionality within communities across landscape‐scale gradient human modification, including both regenerating secondary primary disturbed by burning selective logging. Surveys 230 forest plots recorded 26,533 live stems from 846 tree species. Using herbarium material literature, compiled trait information for each species, focusing mode size. Disturbance reduced diversity increased proportion lower wood density small‐seeded species plots. also seeds that are ingested animals those dispersed other mechanisms (e.g. wind). Older had functionally similar most heavily Mean size per plot were positively correlated animals. Synthesis. Anthropogenic major effects communities, implications The important role animal‐mediated recovering highlights need avoid defaunation or promote faunal recovery. mean width suggest larger vertebrates hold especially functional roles these human‐modified Monitoring fruit can provide valuable indicator condition, emphasizing importance developing comprehensive database Amazon biomes.