The role of animal-mediated seed dispersal in the forest regeneration of tropical areas dominated by bracken fern

Abstract

Tropical forests support high biodiversity but are increasingly threatened by logging and burning. The resulting deforested areas are often dominated by Pteridium ferns (bracken), where forest regeneration is arrested. This thesis investigates the role of seed-dispersing animals in the regeneration of bracken areas. At eight sites, I captured birds and bats to analyze their droppings and installed bird perches and bat roosts to evaluate their effects on seed rain and seedling establishment. Results showed that birds and bats primarily disperse seeds of pioneer species, which exhibit low germination and establishment under bracken shade. Perches were more effective than roosts at increasing seed and seedling densities and reducing dispersal and establishment limitations. These findings highlight dispersal limitation as a key barrier to forest regeneration and suggest using perches, seed addition and planting non-pioneer species as restoration strategies.