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Seed dispersal by small herbivores and tidal water: are they important filters in the assembly of salt-marsh communities?

  1. E. R. CHANG*,
  2. E. L. ZOZAYA,
  3. D. P. J. KUIJPER,
  4. J. P. BAKKER

Article first published online: 19 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.01011.x

Issue

Functional Ecology

Functional Ecology

Volume 19, Issue 4, pages 665–673, August 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

CHANG, E. R., ZOZAYA, E. L., KUIJPER, D. P. J. and BAKKER, J. P. (2005), Seed dispersal by small herbivores and tidal water: are they important filters in the assembly of salt-marsh communities?. Functional Ecology, 19: 665–673. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.01011.x

Author Information

  1. Community and Conservation Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (CEES), University of Groningen, PO Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands

* †Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: E.R.Chang@rug.nl

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 19 AUG 2005
  3. Received 16 February 2005; revised 15 April 2005; accepted 18 April 2005

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Keywords:

  • endozoochory;
  • experimental feeding trials;
  • geese;
  • hares;
  • hydrochory

Summary

  • 1
    Characteristics of internal seed dispersal (endozoochory) by European Brown Hares were compared with similar dispersal by Brent Geese. Hares deposited more seeds of mid-successional, perennial, high-marsh species than did geese, which deposited more seeds of early successional, annual, low-marsh species.
  • 2
    Seed survival and germination of salt-marsh species were higher after ingestion and passage through the digestive system of hares compared with geese. Both hares and geese had a negative effect on the percentage of seeds that germinated in comparison with uningested seeds.
  • 3
    Small herbivores (hares and geese) dispersed two orders of magnitude fewer seeds than those dispersed by tidal water.
  • 4
    Thus these herbivores are not likely to be important filters (constraints) in community assembly at this salt-marsh site on a coastal island in the Netherlands.
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