PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 29: Predator / Prey Ecology
Thursday, August 11, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Meta-analysis of effects of habitat fragmentation on seed predation.

Bauer, Allison^*,1, Inouye, Brian¹, ¹ Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

ABSTRACT- Many recent studies have suggested that fragmentation of natural habitats results in loss of species diversity, encroachment of invasive species into a new range, and other detrimental effects of drastic landscape alteration for which the affected species are not adapted. However, the magnitude and direction of these effects are not readily apparent given the large scope of the fragmentation literature. As a result, certain subtopics of research in this vast body of literature, which can have a profound effect on our evaluation of the extent of our knowledge, can be lost. Recent studies have indicated that pollinator behavior can be negatively altered by fragmentation of their native habitat, which can result in a long-lasting, drastically altered habitat structure. In addition to the effects of pollinator limitation on plant structure in a given habitat, seed predation may be an equally important mechanism for the overall structure of plant communities. Given that many invertebrate seed predators are inconspicuous and not generally the subject of focused studies, an important component of the effects of fragmentation may be overlooked. Prior to the onset of more focused studies, however, it is of paramount importance that the existing literature is well understood so that prominent gaps in our knowledge of this subject may be filled. A review of the literature and meta-analysis of the resultant studies were conducted. Meta-analysis indicates that the wide variety of vertebrate seed predators demonstrate idiosyncratic effects on plant populations in fragmented habitat, while seed loss due to insect seed predators decreases in fragments. Some more focused studies indicate stronger edge effects for invertebrate seed predators than for vertebrates, perhaps as a result of the difference in search behavior between the two types. In addition, differences in the degree of specialization between insect seed predators and their vertebrate counterparts may also contribute to this difference in response to fragmentation.

Key words: fragmentation, seed predation