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Seed dispersal by birds and squirrels in the deciduous forests of the United States

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Frugivores and seed dispersal

Part of the book series: Tasks for vegetation science ((TAVS,volume 15))

Abstract

Well over 60% of the woody plant species in the eastern deciduous forests of the United States are dispersed by vertebrates that eat fleshy fruits or scatterhoard seeds. Some of the metabolic and evolutionary costs and benefits to the organisms involved in these interactions are discussed. I limit my discussion to frugivory by birds and scatterhoarding of nuts by tree squirrels. I compare and make speculations about these two seed dispersal mechanisms, focusing on fruit and nut preferences by dispersal agents and seed dispersal into different habitat types. Finally, I offer evolutionary explanations for the patterns observed.

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Author notes

  1. Martin A. Stapanian

    Present address: Lockheed Engineering and Management Services Co., Inc., 1050 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV, 89114, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Huxley College of Environmental Studies, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA

    Martin A. Stapanian

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  1. Martin A. Stapanian
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Alejandro Estrada Theodore H. Fleming

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© 1986 Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht

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Stapanian, M.A. (1986). Seed dispersal by birds and squirrels in the deciduous forests of the United States. In: Estrada, A., Fleming, T.H. (eds) Frugivores and seed dispersal. Tasks for vegetation science, vol 15. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4812-9_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4812-9_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8633-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4812-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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