Effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal-mediated seed dispersal web in Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) in north-west Himalaya, India
Insights into the relationships between tree species and their potential seed dispersers in a specific region are vital for determining spatial distribution and population dynamics that rely solely on natural regeneration. Several factors influence fruit production in trees, and the fluctuations in...
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Sciendo
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Folia Oecologica |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2025-0010 |
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| author | Sukumaran Arun Sasidharan Sarath Khanduri Vinod Prasad Suraj Rawat Shweta Chand Vaisakhy Prem |
| author_facet | Sukumaran Arun Sasidharan Sarath Khanduri Vinod Prasad Suraj Rawat Shweta Chand Vaisakhy Prem |
| author_sort | Sukumaran Arun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Insights into the relationships between tree species and their potential seed dispersers in a specific region are vital for determining spatial distribution and population dynamics that rely solely on natural regeneration. Several factors influence fruit production in trees, and the fluctuations in fruit output directly affects the population and diversity of frugivores in that area. We examined the trees of Melia azedarach to analyse the impact of tree size attributes (diameter, height and crown length) on fruit yield. Furthermore, we observed the seed dispersers to determine their role in fruit removal and dispersal. The average fruit production among sample trees varied from 1.8 × 103 to 1.18 × 105. Out of the 10 bird species recorded, the Hypsipetes leucocephalus (Himalayan Black Bulbul) and Pycnonotus leucogenys (Himalayan Bulbul) were the most frequent visitors and crucial for seed dispersal of M. azedarach. Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed Parakeets) dropped a significant quantity of fruits below the parent tree, acting as a pre-dispersal seed predator. There were significant variations among species in total visits and estimated endocarp disbursed. Our findings indicate that the tree-size attributes like diameter, height, and crown length strongly affected fruit yield capacity in trees of Melia azedarach. Large trees are likely to be reproductively matured and are prioritising resources for reproduction rather than growth. Native animals, especially birds are facilitating seed dispersal in M. azedarach. The estimated period of the availability of ripe fruits reflects the status of seed predators and seed dispersal. The results ultimately revealed that the animal plant interactions of this study would be vital for ecosystem functioning, habitat rewilding and conservation of the ecosystem through balancing plant-animal mutualism. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dd25b0e3c51e49d5ab1f495351f17149 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1338-7014 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Folia Oecologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-dd25b0e3c51e49d5ab1f495351f171492025-02-10T13:25:45ZengSciendoFolia Oecologica1338-70142025-01-015219110410.2478/foecol-2025-0010Effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal-mediated seed dispersal web in Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) in north-west Himalaya, IndiaSukumaran Arun0Sasidharan Sarath1Khanduri Vinod Prasad2Suraj3Rawat Shweta4Chand Vaisakhy Prem5ICFRE-Bamboo and Rattan Centre, Bethlehem Vengthlang, Aizawl796007, IndiaICFRE-Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka560003, IndiaDepartment of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Tehri Garhwal, Ranichauri 249199, IndiaICFRE-Institute of Forest Biodiversity, Hyderabad500100, IndiaForest Tree Seed Laboratory, S & FM Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, 248006, IndiaForest Tree Seed Laboratory, S & FM Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, 248006, IndiaInsights into the relationships between tree species and their potential seed dispersers in a specific region are vital for determining spatial distribution and population dynamics that rely solely on natural regeneration. Several factors influence fruit production in trees, and the fluctuations in fruit output directly affects the population and diversity of frugivores in that area. We examined the trees of Melia azedarach to analyse the impact of tree size attributes (diameter, height and crown length) on fruit yield. Furthermore, we observed the seed dispersers to determine their role in fruit removal and dispersal. The average fruit production among sample trees varied from 1.8 × 103 to 1.18 × 105. Out of the 10 bird species recorded, the Hypsipetes leucocephalus (Himalayan Black Bulbul) and Pycnonotus leucogenys (Himalayan Bulbul) were the most frequent visitors and crucial for seed dispersal of M. azedarach. Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed Parakeets) dropped a significant quantity of fruits below the parent tree, acting as a pre-dispersal seed predator. There were significant variations among species in total visits and estimated endocarp disbursed. Our findings indicate that the tree-size attributes like diameter, height, and crown length strongly affected fruit yield capacity in trees of Melia azedarach. Large trees are likely to be reproductively matured and are prioritising resources for reproduction rather than growth. Native animals, especially birds are facilitating seed dispersal in M. azedarach. The estimated period of the availability of ripe fruits reflects the status of seed predators and seed dispersal. The results ultimately revealed that the animal plant interactions of this study would be vital for ecosystem functioning, habitat rewilding and conservation of the ecosystem through balancing plant-animal mutualism.https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2025-0010crown lengthfrugivoryreproductive locationsseed dispersal mutualismseed predators |
| spellingShingle | Sukumaran Arun Sasidharan Sarath Khanduri Vinod Prasad Suraj Rawat Shweta Chand Vaisakhy Prem Effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal-mediated seed dispersal web in Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) in north-west Himalaya, India Folia Oecologica crown length frugivory reproductive locations seed dispersal mutualism seed predators |
| title | Effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal-mediated seed dispersal web in Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) in north-west Himalaya, India |
| title_full | Effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal-mediated seed dispersal web in Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) in north-west Himalaya, India |
| title_fullStr | Effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal-mediated seed dispersal web in Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) in north-west Himalaya, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal-mediated seed dispersal web in Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) in north-west Himalaya, India |
| title_short | Effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal-mediated seed dispersal web in Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) in north-west Himalaya, India |
| title_sort | effect of tree size attributes on fruit production and animal mediated seed dispersal web in melia azedarach l chinaberry in north west himalaya india |
| topic | crown length frugivory reproductive locations seed dispersal mutualism seed predators |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2025-0010 |
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