Consequences of Lemur Loss for Above-Ground Carbon Stocks in a Malagasy Rainforest

摘要: Anthropogenic disturbances have resulted in declines of seed-dispersing primate frugivores tropical forests. Previous work has suggested that loss seed dispersal by large may a negative impact on ecosystem carbon storage reducing tree biomass. However, we know little about the potential impacts losing Madagascar’s diverse rainforest ecosystem. Understanding effects frugivore extinction is relevant Madagascar, where threatened lemur taxa are only dispersers many large-seeded plant species. Using dataset species composition and traits from southeastern rainforests Ranomafana National Park, examined whether size lemur-dependent positively associated with above-ground We then simulated different scenarios population trees (>10 mm length) dependent lemur-mediated dispersal, to examine directional changes capacity Malagasy forests under loss. Lemur-dispersed species, which seeds, had higher biomass than other Our simulations showed frugivorous primates Madagascar decrease forest’s store carbon. These results demonstrate importance conservation for maintaining functioning ecosystems forest stocks one world’s hottest hotspots biodiversity.