Evaluation of the restoration trajectory of an Andean forest through seed dispersal mutualistic networks

Abstract

In order to evaluate the restoration from a functional approach, we compared avian seed dispersal interactions between a restored forest and a reference site. For this purpose, abundance and species richness of frugivorous birds and ornitochours plants were recorded. Then, interaction matrices were generated based on fruit consumption and the morphological overlap between fruit and bill size. Our results show that the number of links per species and nestedness, were higher in the reference forest, while the number of interactions varied greatly in the restored forest. Furthermore, the most connected species in the two forests was the Masked Flowerpierce (Diglossa cyanea). We discussed that although some interactions were reestablished, there are still some differences between sites and hence, management actions such as enrichment with ornithochorous plants, in order to enhance interactions and to improve the seed bank should be promoted.