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首页> 外文期刊>PLoS One >Strong dependence of a pioneer shrub on seed dispersal services provided by an endemic endangered lizard in a Mediterranean island ecosystem
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Strong dependence of a pioneer shrub on seed dispersal services provided by an endemic endangered lizard in a Mediterranean island ecosystem

机译：先锋灌木强烈依赖地中海岛屿生态系统中一种地方性濒危蜥蜴提供的种子传播服务

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The accelerating rate of vertebrate extinctions and population declines threatens to disrupt important ecological interactions, altering key ecosystem processes such as animal seed dispersal. The study of highly specialized mutualistic interactions is crucial to predict the consequences of population declines and extinctions. Islands offer unique opportunities to study highly specialized interactions, as they often have naturally depauperated faunas and are experiencing high rates of human-driven extinctions. In this study, we assess the effect of seed dispersal on seedling recruitment of Ephedra fragilis (Ephedraceae) on a Mediterranean island ecosystem. We used field data and stochastic simulation modeling to estimate seed fate and recruitment patterns of this pioneer shrub typical of arid and semiarid areas, and to estimate the dependence of recruitment on the lizard Podarcis lilfordi (Lacertidae), its only known seed disperser. Ephedra fragilis recruitment highly depended on lizards: lizards produced 3.8 times more newly-emerged seedlings than non-dispersed seeds and no seedlings from undispersed seeds survived the study period. Seed dispersal by lizards was mostly to open sites, which was key for the increased success observed, while undispersed seeds, falling under mother plants, suffered higher predation and lower seedling emergence and survival. The ability of this pioneer shrub to get established in open ground is crucial for vegetation colonization and restoration, especially on degraded lands affected by desertification, where they act as nurse plants for other species. Lizards are key in this process, which has important consequences for community structure and ecosystem functioning.
机译：脊椎动物的灭绝速度加快和种群数量减少，有可能破坏重要的生态相互作用，从而改变关键的生态系统过程，例如动物种子的传播。高度专业化的相互关系的研究对于预测人口减少和灭绝的后果至关重要。岛屿通常具有自然灭绝的动物，而且人类灭绝的比率很高，因此它们为研究高度专业化的相互作用提供了独特的机会。在这项研究中，我们评估了种子散布对地中海岛屿生态系统上脆弱的麻黄（Ephedraceae）幼苗募集的影响。我们使用现场数据和随机模拟模型来估算干旱和半干旱地区典型的这种先驱灌木的种子命运和募集模式，并评估对蜥蜴Podarcis lilfordi（Lacertidae）（唯一已知的种子分散剂）的依赖。脆弱的麻黄（Ephedra fragilis）的募集高度依赖于蜥蜴：蜥蜴的新芽幼苗比未分散的种子多出3.8倍，并且未分散种子的幼苗在研究期内没有存活。蜥蜴的种子散布主要是在空地上进行，这是观察到成功增加的关键，而落在母本植物下的未散布种子遭受的捕食更高，幼苗出苗率和存活率更低。这种先锋灌木在空旷地上生长的能力对于植被定殖和恢复至关重要，特别是在受荒漠化影响的退化土地上，这些土地充当其他物种的养护植物。蜥蜴是这一过程的关键，这对社区结构和生态系统功能具有重要影响。

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