Niche differentiation among boreal mammals and birds regarding their roles as endozoochorical seed dispersers

Abstract

Plant seed dispersal by endozoochory (seed dispersal via the digestive system of animals) is an important process affecting plant species composition in ecosystems. Recent studies in temperate regions have shown that a wide range of animal species disperse plant seeds via endozoochory, and that plant species from many taxa and with different dispersal adaptations are dispersed through endozoochory. The seed dispersal niche of an animal implies its role as seed disperser, where the assemblage of plant species dispersed is an important component. The endozoochorical seed dispersal niches of the animals in the boreal forest are poorly studied, and this study seeks to assess the seed dispersal niches of an assemblage of medium-sized and large boreal forest mammals and birds by quantifying the assemblage of plant species germinating from their scats.