Availability of coarse woody debris in a boreal old‐growth Picea abies forest

Abstract. This study reports temporal (based on cross‐dated dead trees) and spatial patterns of availability of coarse woody debris (CWD) from Picea abies in a Swedish boreal landscape with discrete old‐growth forest patches in a wetland matrix. Data were collected from 29 patches ranging in size from 0.3 to 28 ha. A total of 897 dead trees with a minimum diameter of > 15 cm occurred on the 7.2 ha area analysed. The year of death was established for 50% of these trees. CWD volume ranged from 17 to 65 m³/ha for downed logs and from 0.5 to 13 m³/ha for standing snags. CWD of all decay stages and diameter classes occurred abundantly and the probability of finding logs of all decay stages and sizes was very high at the scale of single hectares. Tree mortality differed among 5 yr periods. However, during the last 50 yr no 5 yr period produced less than 3 logs/ha. Decay rates were highly variable among different logs. Logs with soft wood and some wood pieces lost (decay stage 5) died ca. 34 years ago. This suggests a fairly rapid decay in this northern forest. The data indicate a high and continuous availability of CWD of all types. It is likely, therefore, that selection pressures for efficient dispersal among CWD dependent species may not be very high. Consequently, species with narrow habitat demands and/or low dispersal ability may have evolved and this may contribute to the decrease of certain species in the managed landscape.     

When does dead wood turn into a substrate for spruce replacement?

Question: How many years must elapse for freshly fallen Picea abies stems to be transformed into a substrate for P. abies recruitment? Location: Natural sub‐alpine spruce forest, 1200–1300 m a.s.l., western Carpathians, Poland. Methods: Coarse woody debris (CWD) was measured on nine plots with a total area of 4.3 ha. All individuals of P. abies regeneration growing on dead wood were counted and their age was estimated. Decay rate of logs was determined using dendrochronological cross‐dating of samples from logs in different decay stages. Results: Although CWD covered only 4% of the forest floor, 43% of the saplings were growing on decaying logs and stumps. The highest abundance of P. abies recruitment occurs on logs 30–60 years after tree death, when wood is in decay stages no. 4–7 (on an 8 degree decay scale). However, much earlier colonization is possible. The first seedlings may germinate on a log during the second decade after tree death and survive for decades. Their slow growth is possibly due to the gradual progressive decomposition of wood. Conclusions: This study confirms the importance of decaying wood for P. abies recruitment. The decaying logs exhibit continuous and favourable conditions for the germination of P. abies seeds throughout their decay process. Logs, irrespective of their decay stage and age, are colonized by young seedlings. This recruitment bank is constantly renewed.     

Soil organic matter dynamics under decaying wood in a subtropical wet forest: effect of tree species and decay stage

Decaying wood is an important structural and functional component of forests: it contributes to generate habitat diversity, acts as either sink or source of nutrients, and plays a preponderant role in soil formation. Thus, decaying wood might likely have measurable effects on chemical properties of the underlying soil. We hypothesized that decaying wood would have a stronger effect on soil as decomposition advances and that such effect would vary according to wood quality. Twenty logs from two species with contrasting wood properties (Dacryodes excelsa Vahl. and Swietenia macrophylla King) and at two different decay stages (6 and 15 years after falling) were selected, and soil under and 50 cm away from decaying logs was sampled for soil organic matter (SOM) fractions [NaOH-extractable and water-extractable organic matter -(WEOM)] and properties (WEOM aromaticity). NaOH-extractable C and WEOM were higher in the soil influenced by 15-year-old logs, while the degree of aromaticity of WEOM was higher in the soil influenced by the 6-year-old logs. Decaying logs did influence properties of the underlying soil with differing effects according to the species since there was more NaOH-extractable C in the soil associated to D. excelsa logs and more WEOM in the soil associated to S. macrophylla older logs. It is proposed that such effects occurred through changes in the relative quantity and quality of different SOM fractions, as influenced by species and advancement in decomposition. Through its effect on SOM and nutrient dynamics, decaying wood can contribute to the spatial heterogeneity of soil properties, and can affect process of soil formation and nutrient cycling. Responsible Editor: Barbara Wick.     

Spatial patterns of tree recruitment in a relict population of Pinus uncinata: forest expansion through stratified diffusion

Aim To infer future changes in the distribution of isolated relict tree populations at the limit of a species’ geographical range, a deep understanding of the regeneration niche and the spatial pattern of tree recruitment is needed. Location A relict Pinus uncinata population located at the south‐western limit of distribution of the species in the Iberian System of north‐eastern Spain. Methods Pinus uncinata individuals were mapped within a 50 × 40‐m plot, and their size, age and reproductive status were estimated. Data on seed dispersal were obtained from a seed‐release experiment. The regeneration niche of the species was assessed based on the associations of seedling density with substrate and understorey cover. The spatial pattern of seedlings was described using point‐pattern (Ripley's K) and surface‐pattern (correlograms, Moran's I) analyses. Statistical and inverse modelling were used to characterize seedling clustering. Results Pine seedlings appeared aggregated in 6‐m patches. Inverse modelling estimated a longer mean dispersal distance (27 m), which corresponded to the size of a large cluster along the north to north‐eastward direction paralleled by an eastward trend of increasing seedling age. The two spatial scales of recruitment were related to two dispersal processes. The small‐scale clustering of seedlings was due to local seed dispersal in open areas near the edge of Calluna vulgaris mats: the regeneration niche. The long‐range expansion might be caused by less frequent medium‐distance dispersal events due to the dominant north‐westerly winds. Main conclusions To understand future range shifts of marginal tree populations, data on seed dispersal, regeneration niche and spatial pattern of recruitment at local scales should be obtained. The monitoring of understorey communities should be a priority in order to predict correctly shifts in tree species range in response to global warming.     

Linking taxonomical and functional biodiversity of saproxylic fungi and beetles in broad‐leaved forests in southern Italy with varying management histories

Abstract

The fundamental ecological significance of deadwood decomposition in forests has been highlighted in several reviews, some conclusions regarding silviculture being drawn. Old‐growth forests are natural centres of biodiversity. Saproxylic fungi and beetles, which are vital components of these ecosystems, occupy a variety of spatial and trophic niches. Fungal and beetle diversity on coarse woody debris (CWD) was analysed in 36 forest sites in the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, Italy. The data were analysed by DCA and Spearman’s rank correlation. The results provide empirical evidence of the existence of a pattern of joint colonization of the woody substrate by fungi and beetles, which includes an assemblage of reciprocal trophic roles within fungal/beetle communities. These organisms act together to form a dynamic taxonomical and functional ecosystem component within the complex set of processes involved in wood decay. The variables most predictive of correlations between management‐related structural attributes and fungal/beetle species richness and their trophic roles for old‐growth forest are: number of logs, number of decay classes and CWD total volume. Deadwood spatio‐temporal continuity should be the main objective of forest planning to stop the loss of saproxylic fungal and insect biodiversity.     

Exploring spatiotemporal patterns in early stages of primary succession on former lignite mining sites

Questions: 1. Does random colonization predominate in early stages of primary succession? 2. Do pioneer species facilitate the establishment of later arriving species? 3. Does an initially random distribution change to an aggregated pattern with ongoing succession? Location: Lignite mining region of Lower Lusatia, eastern Germany. Methods: Individual plants were mapped along a 2 m × 28 m transect during three successive years and classified into two groups (1) the pioneer Corynephorus canescens and (2)‘all other species’. Using the pair‐correlation function, univariate point pattern analysis was carried out by applying a heterogeneous Poisson process as null model. Bivariate analysis and a toroidal shift null model were applied to test for independence between the spatial patterns of the two groups separately for each year, as well by exploring spatiotemporal patterns from different years. Results: In the first year Corynephorus and ‘all other species’ showed an aggregated pattern on a spatial scale > 40 cm and in the second and third years a significant attraction for distances between 4 and 12 cm, with an increasing radius in the third year. The analyses of interspecific spatiotemporal dynamics revealed a change from independence to attraction between distances of 4 cm and 16 cm when using Corynephorus as focal species. However, applying ‘all other species’ as focal points results in a significant attraction at distances up to 60 cm in the first year and a diminishing attraction in the second and third years with distances ≤ 6 cm. Conclusions: Facilitative species‐species interactions are present in early stages of primary succession, resulting mainly from pioneer species acting as physical barriers and their ability to capture diaspores being drifted by secondary dispersal along the substrate surface. However, due to gradual establishment of perennial species and their ability of lateral extension by vegetative dispersal, facilitation may influence spatial pattern formation predominantly on short temporal and fine spatial scales.     

Spatial patterns and associations in a Quercus‐Betula forest in northern China

Question: Are species‐specific regeneration strategies and competition the dominant processes facilitating species coexistence in a Quercus liaotungensis dominated temperate deciduous forest? Location: Dongling Mountains, North China, 1300 m a.s.l. Methods: Ripley's K‐function was used to characterize the spatial patterns and spatial associations of two dominant tree species, Quercus liaotungensis and Betula dahurica, and a common subcanopy species, Acer mono, at different growth stages (adult, sapling, seedling). Results: Seedlings, saplings and adults of all three species exhibited clumped distributions at most spatial scales. Quercus seedlings and saplings were positively associated with conspecific adult trees and spatially independent of dead trees suggesting that seed dispersal and vegetative regeneration influenced the spatial patterning of Quercus trees. Betula seedlings and saplings were positively associated with both live and dead trees of conspecific adults at small scales (<5 m) but negatively associated with live and dead trees of other species indicating sprouting as an important mechanism of reproduction. Saplings of Acer had a strong spatial dependence on the distribution of conspecific adult trees indicating its limited seed dispersal range. Negative associations between adult trees of Betula and Quercus demonstrated interspecific competition at local scales (<5 m). Conclusions: Different regeneration strategies among the three species play an important role in regulating their spatial distribution patterns, while competition between individuals of Betula and Quercus at the adult stage also contributes to spatial patterning of these communities. The recruitment limitations of Betula and Quercus may affect the persistence of these species and the long‐term dynamics of the forest.     

Community structure of polypores (Basidiomycota) in Andean alder wood in Argentina: Functional groups among wood‐decay fungi?

Abstract The polypores (Aphyllophorales s.l., Basidiomycota) are very effective wood decayers. Different species differ in their capacity to decay wood; therefore, many functionally different species can be found decaying different substrate conditions (decay stages and log diameter). This study aimed to describe the structure of the wood‐decay polypore communities that occur on different states of wood of the Andean alder (Alnus acuminata) within Argentina and to identify groups of polypore species that share the same substrate condition, and thus might have a similar functional role in the decay processes. We found 16 polypore species, among which Trametes versicolor, Bjerkandera adusta and Trametes cubensis were dominant species, showing the highest relative frequency in alder wood. Species richness was lower on trunks of living trees and higher on dead branches. Based on preferential occurrence on different wood conditions, a cluster analysis distinguished three groups, each of them containing one of the three dominant species. This corresponds to the situation of other groups of organisms, where each functional type consists of a dominant species that accounts for most of the ‘function’ and several subordinate species with similar functions. Albeit preliminary, our results provide a formal classification of wood‐decay fungi into functional types.     

Small-scale variation in chemical property within logs of Japanese beech in relation to spatial distribution and decay ability of fungi

Fungal communities within a naturally fallen bough of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) were investigated with reference to chemical properties of decay columns. Five logs were cut out from the fallen bough, which ranged from 10.7 to 20.5 cm in diameter. Nine fungal species and one sterile fungus were isolated from decay columns that elongated along a longitudinal axis and were delimited by black zone lines and wood discoloration. Lampteromyces japonicus and Trichoderma spp. were isolated from all five logs. Lampteromyces japonicus and Antrodiella albocinnamomea occupied the largest volume in the logs. Lignin and carbohydrate contents, lignocellulose index (LCI), nitrogen content, and water content were different among decay columns colonized by different fungal species in each log. In L. japonicus, LCI of decay column was correlated to that of wood blocks decayed under pure culture condition by the fungi isolated from the decay columns. These results suggest that the small-scale variation in chemical properties within fallen logs of Japanese beech reflects the distribution and the decay ability of colonized fungi.     

Disturbance affects spatial patterning and stand structure of a tropical rainforest tree

The distribution and spatial patterns of plant populations in natural ecosystems have recently received much attention; yet the impacts of human‐induced disturbances on these patterns and underlying processes remain poorly understood. We used the sub‐canopy tree, Ryparosa kurrangii (Achariaceae), to explore the possible effects of such disturbances on stand structure and spatial patterning in an Australian tropical rainforest. We studied three populations that differed in their extent of habitat modification: anthropogenic disturbance (proximate settlement and roads) and internal damage by an invasive alien species, the feral pig (Sus scrofa). Populations were mapped, characterized, and three size cohorts (seedlings, saplings, trees) were analysed using a suite of spatial point pattern analyses (univariate: Diggle's G and F and Ripley's K; bivariate: Diggle's G and Ripley's K). Ryparosa kurrangii has a typical stand structure for a sub‐canopy tree species, but occurs at high densities locally (>400 stems ha^?1). At all sites, the tree cohort were randomly distributed and saplings were spatially aggregated at distances of up to 2–3 m. Between sites there were distinct differences in the size structure and spatial pattern of seedlings, the cohort most affected by recent habitat modification. That is, the least disturbed site had no aggregation among seedlings, the site with the greatest anthropogenic disturbance had many small, clustered seedlings that were spatially associated with trees, and the site with pig damage had clustered seedlings that had no spatial relationship with trees. We propose that habitat modification by anthropogenic and pig disturbance disrupts seed dispersal and establishment regimes, which leads to altered seedling spatial patterns. These disturbances could have long‐term implications for the population structure and health of R. Kurrangii.     

Fungal diversity on decaying beech logs – implications for sustainable forestry

An analysis of factors influencing the diversity of macrofungi fruiting on decaying beech logs at site level is presented. Variables related to log size and shape and decay stage were found to explain up to 56% of the variation in total species richness and 42% of the variation in the richness of threatened (red-listed) species. Inclusion of variables relating to the vernal flora and the degree of soil contact further increased the explained variation in total species richness to 71%, but these variables were non-significant with respect to red-listed species. However, inclusion of the variable log type, distinguishing uprooted logs, logs broken at root neck and logs broken 1–7 and 8–15 m above ground, increased the amount of explained variation in richness of red-listed species to 50%. Among the log size and shape variables, the number of bole forks was superior in describing the variation in both total and red-listed species richness. Accordingly, forked trees should preferably be selected for decay in order to improve biodiversity, since they support comparably higher species diversity than unforked logs and have limited economical value. The importance of log type for the richness of threatened species appears to be connected with the occurrence of certain non-dominant primary decayers, causing heart rot, subsequently allowing the establishment of red-listed species. Accordingly, it is suggested that a high diversity of primary decayers may be a key to the conservation of wood decaying fungi. Microclimatic variables were found to have a limited effect on fruit body diversity on the studied logs; however, the microclimatic regime is discussed as an important factor in relation to management of dead wood for fungal biodiversity.     

Moms are better nurses than dads: gender biased self‐facilitation in a dioecious Juniperus tree

Questions: Can gender of nurse plants affect regeneration patterns and spatial population structure? Is there a seed‐seedling conflict in the regeneration process? What factors are responsible for the clumped spatial population structure observed for adult trees? Location: Mediterranean cold semi‐arid high mountains in Spain. Methods: The spatial pattern of adult Juniperus thurifera trees was studied by means of Ripley's K‐analysis. χ² analyses were used to test for natural seedling frequency in each of three main microhabitats: (1) under female and (2) male tree canopies and (3) in open interspaces. The observed pattern was explained experimentally by studying seed and seedling survival for two years. Survival probabilities were calculated across life stages for each of three main microhabitats. Results: Adult J. thurifera trees were aggregated in space. Most seedlings were found underneath female J. thurifera trees. Experimental studies demonstrated that from seed dispersal to seedling survival all life stages showed the same positive or negative trend within a given microhabitat, indicating stage coupling and no seed‐seedling conflicts. Attraction of frugivo‐rous birds by reproductive female junipers and improvement of environmental conditions beneath tree canopies were the main factors responsible for the variation in seedling density among microhabitats; highest underneath female trees and lowest in open interspaces. Conclusions: In dioecious species, the gender of nurse plants can significantly determine the spatial population structure. In J. thurifera forests, facilitation beneath female trees occurs among all life stages without any sign of seed‐seedling conflict. The most critical factors shaping the spatial population structure were directed seed dispersal and environmental amelioration beneath female conspecific trees.     

西藏色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉原始林粗木质残体空间格局分析

粗木质残体（Coarse woody debris,CWD）的空间格局反映了森林群落的死亡格局和干扰格局,在一定程度上体现了群落内林木的死亡过程。采用相邻网格法对色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉（Abies georgei var.smithii）原始林1 hm²固定样地内CWD进行调查,从CWD类型、腐烂等级、径级3个方面对CWD空间分布格局进行分析。结果表明：样地内CWD总密度为582株/hm²,倒木占55.33%,是CWD的主要输入形式。CWD密度在腐烂等级上的分布可用多项式拟合（R²=0.9973）,在径级上的分布可用指数衰减模型拟合（R²=0.9746）,且在不同类型、腐烂等级及径级上的分布差异较大。在50 m尺度内,CWD整体表现为小尺度的集群分布和中、大尺度的随机分布。在3种CWD分类中,仅有大枯枝、Ⅰ级腐烂、径级ⅠCWD在小尺度或中尺度表现为较强的集群分布,其余则均以随机分布为主,只是在个别尺度达到或接近集群分布。不同类型CWD间整体关联不显著,只有枯立木与大枯枝在0-21 m尺度内达到显著负关联。CWD空间分布格局是急尖长苞冷杉原始林的重要结构特征,在很大程度上决定着林下植物群落及林型自然更新格局。     

Beetles provide directed dispersal of viable spores of a keystone wood decay fungus

Wood decay fungi are considered to be dispersed by wind, but dispersal by animals may also be important, and more so in managed forests where dead wood is scarce. We investigated whether beetles could disperse spores of the keystone species Fomitopsis pinicola. Beetles were collected on sporocarps and newly felled spruce logs, a favourable habitat for spore deposition. Viable spores (and successful germination) of F. pinicola were detected by dikaryotization of monokaryotic bait mycelium from beetle samples. Viable spores were on the exoskeleton and in the faeces of all beetles collected from sporulating sporocarps. On fresh spruce logs, nine beetle species transported viable spores, of which several bore into the bark. Our results demonstrate that beetles can provide directed dispersal of wood decay fungi. Potentially, it could contribute to a higher persistence of some species in fragmented forests where spore deposition by wind on dead wood is less likely.     

Is fungal species richness and composition related to the occurrence of the old‐growth associated wood‐decaying Amylocystis lapponica?

Amylocystis lapponica (Romell) Singer is a widely distributed wood‐decaying polypore fungus found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Despite its huge distribution range it occurs rather patchily and seems narrowly associated with old‐growth forest stands. Notably, it has been used as an ‘indicator species’, believed to reflect the long‐term presence of dead wood, naturalness of forest stands, and indirectly, species richness and possibly composition. In this study we focused on the last issue – whether or not there is a link between the occurrence of A. lapponica and the species richness and composition of other wood‐decaying fungi. Selecting log characteristics and microclimate as similar as possible, we compared 12 logs with and 12 logs without visible fruit bodies of A. lapponica to examine: 1) if visible fruit bodies corresponded with molecular identification of the mycelia, 2) if fungal species richness and composition of the substrate were related to A. lapponica occurrence, and 3) if A. lapponica was restricted to certain parts of the log. Fungal species were recorded by inspecting visible fruit bodies and by culture isolation and ITS sequencing from wood disc samples. Laboratory and field identification of A. lapponica had 71% correspondence, and mycelia were identified in two logs without visible fruit bodies. Twice as many fungal species were detected using ITS sequencing compared to fruit body identification. Total species richness was similar between the two log categories, but number of species per log was slightly higher in A. lapponica logs. Antrodia serialis (Fr.) Donk, and possibly also Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.:Fr.) P. Karst. and Phellinus nigrolimitatus (Romell) Bourdot & Galzin, occurred more frequently in A. lapponica logs. Mycelia of A. lapponica were restricted to less decayed parts of the wood in the centre of the middle part of the logs.     

Respiration from coarse woody debris as affected by moisture and saprotroph functional diversity in Western Oregon

Decomposing coarse woody debris (CWD) is a conspicuous and important component of forest ecosystems. Seasonal temperature and precipitation patterns influence heterotroph activity, which determines the rate of CWD decomposition. We tested the hypothesis that moisture content and heterotroph community composition influence carbon flux in freshly-cut Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) logs. To evaluate the effects of physical penetration of bark and wood and transmission of basidiomycete compared with ascomycete fungi by insects, 360 experimental logs were assigned to five replicate sites, each with 12 heterotroph×moisture treatment combinations in 1995. Half of the logs in each heterotroph treatment received normal rainfall and half were placed individually under elevated clear plastic tents to reduce water inputs. Respiration was measured every 1–3 months. In 1996 and 1997 a different log representing each treatment combination was harvested from each replicate and analyzed for the presence of inoculated and colonizing fungi. Logs inoculated with decay fungi had higher respiration than uninoculated logs but this effect only approached significance (P=0.08) during the first season. Respiration was significantly higher in sheltered than in exposed logs. Our results indicate that respiration and wood decomposition rates may be depressed by high moisture content in the wet forests of the coastal Pacific Northwest. Received: 4 May 1999 / Accepted: 2 March 2000     

Dispersal may limit the occurrence of specialist wood decay fungi already at small spatial scales

We used species‐specific spore traps to measure airborne dispersal of the wood decay fungus Phlebia centrifuga (spore size 6.5–9 × 2.5–3 μm) up to 1000 m distance from a point source. We fitted two simple dispersal models, an empirical power law model and a semi‐mechanistic diffusion model to the data using the Bayesian approach. The diffusion model provided a better fit than the power law model which underestimated deposition at 3–55 m and overestimated deposition at longer and shorter distances. Model fit improved by allowing overdispersion, suggesting that spores are not dispersed independently but wind can transport spores in groups inside discrete air packages up to considerable distances. Using the fitted diffusion model and available information on the establishment rates of wood‐decay fungi, we examine the distance up to which colonisation from a single fruit body is likely to occur. We conclude that the diluting effect of distance and low establishment success make the occurrence of P. centrifuga dispersal limited possibly already at the distance of tens of metres and very probably at a few hundred metres from the nearest fruit body, despite the fact that under favourable conditions a high proportion of the spores can disperse considerably further. This conclusion is likely to hold generally for those fungal species that inhabit fragmented landscapes, have specialised resource and habitat requirements, and have similar spore size and other dispersal traits as P. centrifuga.     

The giant mycoheterotrophic orchid Erythrorchis altissima is associated mainly with a divergent set of wood‐decaying fungi

The climbing orchid Erythrorchis altissima is the largest mycoheterotroph in the world. Although previous in vitro work suggests that E. altissima has a unique symbiosis with wood‐decaying fungi, little is known about how this giant orchid meets its carbon and nutrient demands exclusively via mycorrhizal fungi. In this study, the mycorrhizal fungi of E. altissima were molecularly identified using root samples from 26 individuals. Furthermore, in vitro symbiotic germination with five fungi and stable isotope compositions in five E. altissima at one site were examined. In total, 37 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to nine orders in Basidiomycota were identified from the orchid roots. Most of the fungal OTUs were wood‐decaying fungi, but underground roots had ectomycorrhizal Russula. Two fungal isolates from mycorrhizal roots induced seed germination and subsequent seedling development in vitro. Measurement of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope abundances revealed that E. altissima is a full mycoheterotroph whose carbon originates mainly from wood‐decaying fungi. All of the results show that E. altissima is associated with a wide range of wood‐ and soil‐inhabiting fungi, the majority of which are wood‐decaying taxa. This generalist association enables E. altissima to access a large carbon pool in woody debris and has been key to the evolution of such a large mycoheterotroph.     

Fine‐scale genetic structure and flowering output of the seagrass Enhalus acoroides undergoing disturbance

Seagrass are under great stress in the tropical coast of Asia, where Enhalus acoroides is frequently the dominant species with a large food web. Here, we investigate the question of the fine‐scale genetic structure of this ecologically important foundation species, subject to severe anthropogenic disturbance in China. The genetic structure will illuminate potential mechanisms for population dynamics and sustainability, which are critical for preservation of biodiversity and for decision‐making in management and restoration. We evaluated the fine‐scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) and flowering output of E. acoroides, and indirectly estimated the relative importance of sexual versus asexual reproduction for population persistence using spatial autocorrelation analysis. Results reveal high clonal diversity for this species, as predicted from its high sexual reproduction output. The stronger Sp statistic at the ramet‐level compared with genet‐level indicates that clonality increases the SGS pattern for E. acoroides. Significant SGS at the genet‐level may be explained by the aggregated dispersal of seed/pollen cohorts. The estimated gene dispersal variance suggests that dispersal mediated by sexual reproduction is more important than clonal growth in this study area. The ongoing anthropogenic disturbance will negatively affect the mating pattern and the SGS patterns in the future due to massive death of shoots, and less frequency of sexual reproduction.     

Long‐term consistency in spatial patterns of primate seed dispersal

Seed dispersal is a key ecological process in tropical forests, with effects on various levels ranging from plant reproductive success to the carbon storage potential of tropical rainforests. On a local and landscape scale, spatial patterns of seed dispersal create the template for the recruitment process and thus influence the population dynamics of plant species. The strength of this influence will depend on the long‐term consistency of spatial patterns of seed dispersal. We examined the long‐term consistency of spatial patterns of seed dispersal with spatially explicit data on seed dispersal by two neotropical primate species, Leontocebus nigrifrons and Saguinus mystax (Callitrichidae), collected during four independent studies between 1994 and 2013. Using distributions of dispersal probability over distances independent of plant species, cumulative dispersal distances, and kernel density estimates, we show that spatial patterns of seed dispersal are highly consistent over time. For a specific plant species, the legume Parkia panurensis, the convergence of cumulative distributions at a distance of 300 m, and the high probability of dispersal within 100 m from source trees coincide with the dimension of the spatial–genetic structure on the embryo/juvenile (300 m) and adult stage (100 m), respectively, of this plant species. Our results are the first demonstration of long‐term consistency of spatial patterns of seed dispersal created by tropical frugivores. Such consistency may translate into idiosyncratic patterns of regeneration.