Comparison of fruit removal in tropical tree species between forest and urban areas – Monteverde, Costa Rica, May 2008

Alternative Title

Comparación de la eliminación de frutos de especies arbóreas tropicales entre el bosque y las zonas urbanas - Monteverde, Costa Rica

Creator

Dominic Derenge

Files

Publication Date

May 2008

Abstract

Tropical frugivorous birds are facing the effects of increased human land development. The conversion of forests to road and buildings interrupts the interaction forest trees and their frugivorous dispersers. This study uses the tree/frugivore mutualism to asses the effect proximity to human influences has upon a forest health. Measurements of the removal rates of Citharexylum costaricensis (Verbenaceae) fruits in a fragment near to the forest displayed significantly higher removal rates than in the urban fragment (Paired T-Test, T=0.996 df=15, p = 0.043, n =16). Separate trials with Solanum rugosum (Solanaceae) fruit displayed the same trend (Paired T-Tests, T = 0.695, df = 10, P = 0.404, n = 11 ). These results show that the human development influences near the urban fragment have a detrimental effect upon this important relationship, which in turn may lead to a loss of stability and biodiversity in urban forest fragments.

Resumen

Las aves frugívoras tropicales se enfrentan a los efectos del incremento del desarrollo humano. La transformación de los bosques en carreteras y en edificios interrumpe las interacciones entre los arboles y sus dispersores. Este estudio usa el mutualismo del árbol/frugívoro para evaluar el efecto de la proximidad que tiene las influencias humanas sobre la salud del bosque.

Keywords

Frugivores, Fragmented landscapes, Deforestation, CIEE Spring 2008

Palabras claves

Frugívoros, Paisajes fragmentados, Deforestación, CIEE Primavera 2008

Extent

7 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00442

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Derenge, Dominic, "Comparison of fruit removal in tropical tree species between forest and urban areas – Monteverde, Costa Rica, May 2008" (2008). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 13.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/13