Seed dispersal syndromes in mountain cloud forest communities, in the central region of Veracruz, México

Abstract

Background: Seed dispersal syndromes allow obtaining patterns potential dispersers between communities, environments and contrasting taxa, helping to understand the influence of dispersers on the composition, structure and dynamics of plant communities. This information is very limited in mountain cloud forests. Questions: How is the frequency of seed dispersal syndromes modified according to the composition woody species and strata of plant communities? The seed dispersal syndromes are useful to describe potential dispersers in mountain cloud forests? Study sites and dates: The study was carried out during 2014 in three mountain cloud forests communities in central Veracruz. Methods: Seed dispersal syndromes of 64 different species plants were determined in the three study sites, based on the morphological characteristics of the diasporas and with bibliographic support. The frequency of the syndromes between communities and strata (understory and canopy) was compared. Results: The frequencies of the seed dispersal syndromes did not change between communities, but they did within each community. Ornitochory was the most relevant syndrome, its importance changes depending on the density of the plants and the strata. With the help of bibliographic information, it was verified that 75 % of the plants identified with ornithochory syndrome are dispersed by birds. Conclusions: Ornitochory was the most relevant syndrome, although its importance was modified according to the composition and structure of the community. It is necessary to explore the influence of birds on the patterns of distribution and recruitment of the plants of these forests.