Event Title : Understanding the role of mammals in altering patterns of seed predation in rainforest fragments of the Western Ghats, India
Submitted by ambilid on 8 December, 2021 - 17:54
Session Theme : Ecology and global change, Session Chair : Jayashree Ratnam
Speaker Name:
Aparna Krishnan
Start Time:
Thursday, January 13, 2022 - 18:40
End Time:
Thursday, January 13, 2022 - 18:50
Talks Abstract:
Fragmentation of forests can shift animal assemblages towards an increase in small mammals such as rodents and consequently alter crucial plant-animal interactions such as seed predation. I performed a field experiment to discern the role of mammals in altering seed predation risk and spatial patterns of seed predation in rainforest fragments of the Western Ghats, India. I found that mammals markedly increased seed predation risk and homogenised difference in seed predation under and away from parent trees in forest fragments. The results suggest that increased mammal predation could reduce the availability of safe sites for plant recruitment in forest fragments.
Event Day:
Day 4 (13th Jan 2022)