Vertical stratification of seed‐dispersing vertebrate communities and their interactions with plants in tropical forests

Sarina Thiel; Marco Tschapka; Eckhard W. Heymann; Katrin Heer

doi:10.1111/brv.12664

journal article Open Access Nov 02, 2020

Vertical stratification of seed‐dispersing vertebrate communities and their interactions with plants in tropical forests

Sarina Thiel

Marco Tschapka

Eckhard W. Heymann

Katrin Heer

Biological Reviews Vol. 96 No. 2 pp. 454-469 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/brv.12664

Abstract

ABSTRACTVertical stratification (VS) is a widespread phenomenon in plant and animal communities in forests and a key factor for structuring their species richness and biodiversity, particularly in tropical forests. The organisms composing forest communities adjust and shape the complex three‐dimensional structure of their environment and inhabit a large variety of niches along the vertical gradient of the forest. Even though the degree of VS varies among different vertebrate groups, patterns of compositional stratification can be observed across taxa. Communities of birds, bats, primates, and non‐flying small mammals are vertically stratified in terms of abundance, species richness, diversity, and community composition. Frugivorous members of these taxa play important roles as seed dispersers and forage on fruit resources that, in turn, vary in quantity and nutritional value along the vertical gradient. As a consequence, plant–seed disperser interaction networks differ among strata, which is manifested in differences in interaction frequencies and the degree of mutual specialization. In general, the canopy stratum is composed of strong links and generalized associations, while the lower strata comprise weaker links and more specialized interactions. Investigating the VS of communities can provide us with a better understanding of species habitat restrictions, resource use, spatial movement, and species interactions. Especially in the face of global change, this knowledge will be important as these characteristics can imply different responses of species and taxa at a fine spatial scale.

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232

References

Details

Published: Nov 02, 2020
Vol/Issue: 96(2)
Pages: 454-469
License: View

Authors

S

Sarina Thiel

Department of Conservation Biology Philipps University Marburg Karl‐von‐Frisch‐Strasse 8 Marburg Germany

M

Marco Tschapka

Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics University of Ulm Albert Einstein Allee 11 Ulm Germany; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Apartado 0843–03092 Balboa Ancon Republic of Panama

E

Eckhard W. Heymann

Verhaltensökologie & Soziobiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum ‐ Leibniz‐Institut für Primatenforschung Kellnerweg 4 Göttingen Germany

K

Katrin Heer

Department of Conservation Biology Philipps University Marburg Karl‐von‐Frisch‐Strasse 8 Marburg Germany

Cite This Article

Sarina Thiel, Marco Tschapka, Eckhard W. Heymann, et al. (2020). Vertical stratification of seed‐dispersing vertebrate communities and their interactions with plants in tropical forests. Biological Reviews, 96(2), 454-469. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12664

Vertical stratification of seed‐dispersing vertebrate communities and their interactions with plants in tropical forests

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