Avian frugivory and seed dispersal in eastern North America.

Abstract

Most frugivorous birds in E North America are only partly and/or seasonally so, and many North American plants whose seeds are dispersed by birds also have considerable dispersal of seeds by frugivorous (or granivorous) mammals or tortoises, or sometimes by abiotic means. The relatoinship of bird dispersal to plant population dynamics, competition for dispersal agents and habitat breadth is treated, followed by a consideration of the relationship of avian frugivory to bird population dynamics, competition for fruits and habitat breadth. Plant composition, in terms of the percentage of the flora that is bird dispersed, is compared for different geographic segments of E North America and for different kinds of communities. Relative abundance of bird-dispersed plants is compared for certain areas. Bird community composition, relative abundance and density are compared, during the breeding season and during winter, among geographic regions and among habitats.-from Author