The potential role of migratory birds in the expansion of araucaria forest

Abstract

The present study assessed the variation in bird species composition, and in the proportion of frugivorous and migratory individuals between areas of continuous forest and patches of Araucaria forests in natural grassland areas of southern Brazil. In the grassland-forest mosaic, 703 individuals of 83 bird species were recorded. The proportion of frugivorous and migratory individuals was significantly higher in forest patches and in the interior of continuous forest, compared to forest edges. We suggest that migratory birds are important for the dispersal of seeds from forest interiors to forest patches within the grassland, highlighting the importance of regional processes for the maintenance of local processes, for ecosystem conservation. © 2012 ABECO.