Little owl (Athene noctua) pellets enhance seed germination under salinity stress in two leguminous plant species

Abstract

As central-place foragers, owls accumulate prey remains, in the form of rejection pellets, around their roosting and nesting sites, which may modify top soil composition and influence seed germination. However, the effects of owl pellets on seed germination still remain understudied. In this study, we conducted germination assays on two plant species from south Tunisia to assess whether a prior treatment of the seeds with the filtrate of little owl (Athene noctua) pellets affected germination rates under different salinity conditions. Results showed enhanced germination in pellet-treated seeds compared to untreated seeds. Pellet treatment was also associated with reduced inhibitory effects of salt on seed germination. Moreover, at the scale of a little owl territory, the concentrations of organic matter and total nitrogen in the top soil were higher at the nesting site compared to a nearby unused site, providing some evidence of a fertilizing effect of pellets. Overall, our findings suggest that little owls play a significant role in shaping plant dynamics and ecosystem functioning in arid North African areas, where the soil is poor and threatened by salinization. We suggest that little owls may be relevant actors in eventual restoration and rehabilitation plans of degraded ecosystems in these areas.