Successional status, seed dispersal mode and overstorey species influence tree regeneration in tropical rain-forest fragments in Western Ghats, India

• DOI: 10.1017/s0266467417000219
• Publication Date: 2017-08-07T02:35:49Z
• Authors: Anand M. Osuri; Dayani Chakravarthy; Divya Mudappa; T. R. Shankar Raman; N. Ayyappan; S. Muthuramkumar; N. Parthasarathy
• Keywords: Fragmentation

Abstract: The effects of fragmentation and overstorey tree diversity on regeneration were assessed in tropical rain forests the Western Ghats, India. Ninety plots sampled for saplings (1–5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh); 5×5-m plots) trees (>9.55 dbh; 20×20-m within two fragments (32 ha 18 ha) continuous forests. We tested hypotheses that expected seed-dispersal declines (1) reduce sapling densities species richness all old-growth species, increase recruitment early-successional (2) prevalence dispersed recruits (3) influence local richness. Continuous had similar overall, but density declined by 62% 48%, respectively, fragments. Fragments 39% lower 24% immigrant (presumed into sites as conspecific adults absent nearby), bird-dispersed 79%. Sapling (overall old-growth) increased with fragments, was unrelated to Our results show while forest retain significant diversity, losses strengthen barriers natural