Rainforest Restoration and Seed Dispersal — Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA

Region:
South America (Ecuador)
Africa (Cameroon)

These long-term studies examine the role of birds and primates as seed dispersers in the maintenance of tree diversity in West African and Neotropical rainforests. In West Africa, we are using data gathered at a remote field station (maintained by CTR and ECOFAC) in the Dja Reserve, (a UN designated Biosphere Reserve and West Africa’ s largest). CTR members have learned that just two species of Hornbills disperse the seeds of over 25% of the more than 300 tree species found in the reserve. Given the alarming population declines of other seed dispersers, particularly primates and elephant, this work is of enormous importance to conservation planning.

In Ecuador, we are studying the Long-wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus penduliger) northwestern Chocó rainforests and Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) in the Amazon basin. Both species are key dispersers of seeds within their home ranges, yet the role each plays in regeneration of degraded habitat and maintenance of primary forests are poorly known. These projects employ radio telemetry and detailed phenological data to quantify the basic biology of these little-known yet charismatic and ecologically vital species. Additionally, rainforest restoration projects using an experimental approach to restoration are currently being developed in Ecuador in conjunction with local and international NGOs. CTR is also developing proposals to expand this work to include comparative research in Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Gabon.

rainforest restoration and seed dispersal

Related Publications

Evolution and conservation of Central African biodiversity: priorities for future research and education in the Congo Basin and Gulf of Guinea

Anthony, N. M.; Atteke, C.; Bruford, M. W.; Dallmeier, F.; Freedman, A.; Hardy, O.; Ibrahim, B.; Jeffery, K. J.; Johnson, M.; Lahm, S. A.; Lepengue, N.; Lowenstein, J. H.; Maisels, F.; Mboumba, J.; Mickala, P.; Morgan, K.; Ntie, S.; Smith, T. B.; Sullivan, J. P.; Verheyen, E.; Gonder, M. K.

Published Work 2014 | Biotropica 47(1), 6–17

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Spatial and temporal patterns of frugivorous hornbill movements in Central Africa and their implications for rain forest conservation

Chasar, A.; Harrigan, R. J.; Holbrook, K. M.; Dietsch, T. V.; Fuller, T. L.; Wikelski, M.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2014 | Biotropica 46(6), 763–770

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Diet selection is related to breeding status in two frugivorous hornbill species of Central Africa

Lamperti, A. M.; French, A. R.; Dierenfeld, E. S.; Fogiel, M. K.; Whitney, K. D.; Stauffer, D. J.; Stouffer, K. M.; Hardesty, B. D.; Clark, C. J.; Poulsen, J. R.; Wang, B.; Smith, T. B.; Parker, V. T.

Published Work 2014 | Journal of Tropical Ecology 30(4), 273–290

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Seed dispersal and movement patterns in two species of Ceratogymna hornbills in a West African tropical lowland forest

Holbrook, K. M.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2014 | Oecologia 125, 249–257

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Effects of forest disturbance and habitat loss on avian communities in a Neotropical biodiversity hotspot

Duraes, R.; Carrasco, L.; Smith, T. B.; Karubian, J.

Published Work 2013 | Biological Conservation 166, 203–211

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Mating behavior drives seed dispersal by the Long-wattled Umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduliger

Karubian, J.; Duraes, R.; Storey, J. L.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2012 | Biotropica 44(5), 689–698

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Mapping evolutionary process: a multi-taxa approach to conservation prioritization

Thomassen, H. A.; Fuller, T.; Buermann, W.; Milá, B.; Kieswetter, C.; Jarrín-V, P.; Cameron, S. E.; Mason, E.; Schweizer, R.; Schlunegger, J.; Chan, J.; Wang, O.; Peralvo, M.; Schneider, C. J.; Graham, C. H.; Pollinger, J. P.; Saatchi, S.; Wayne, R. K.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2011 | Evolutionary Applications 4(2), 397–413

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Destination-based seed dispersal homogenizes genetic structure of a tropical palm

Karubian, J.; Sork, V.; Roorda, T.; Duraes, R.; Smith, T.B.

Published Work 2010 | Molecular Ecology 19(8), 1745–1753

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Breeding and nest site characteristics of the Black-casqued Ceratogymna atrata and White-thighed Ceratogymna cylindricus Hornbill in south-central Cameroon

Stauffer, D.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2009 | Ostrich 2004, 75(3), 79–88

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Hunting of mammals reduced seed removal and dispersal of the Afrotropical tree, Antrocaryon klaineanum (Anacardiaceae).

Wang, B. C.; Sork, V. L.; Leong, M. T.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2007 | Biotropica 39(3), 340–347

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Comparative seed shadows of bird-, monkey-, and wind-dispersed trees in a central African tropical rain forest

Clark, C. J.; Poulsen, J. R.; Connor, E. F.; Bolker, B.; Parker, V. T.

Published Work 2005 | Ecology 86(10), 2684–2694

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Importance of body size in determining dominance hierarchies among diverse tropical frugivores

French, A.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2005 | Biotropic 37(1), 95–100

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Fruiting trees as dispersal foci in a semi-deciduous tropical forest

Clark, C. J.; Poulsen, J. R.; Connor, E. F.; Parker, V. T.

Published Work 2004 | Oecologia 139(1), 66–75

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Community seed rain patterns and a comparison to adult community structure in a West African tropical forest

Hardesty, B. D.; Parker, V. T.

Published Work 2003 | Plant Ecology 164(1), 49–64

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Long-distance movements of frugivorous rainforest hornbills

Holbrook, K. M.; Smith, T. B.; Hardesty, B. D.

Published Work 2002 | Ecography 25(6), 745–749

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Closing the seed dispersal loop

Wang, B. C.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2002 | Trends in Ecology and Evolution 17(8), 379–386

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Differential resource use by primates and hornbills: implications for seed dispersal

Poulsen, J. R.; Clark, C. J.; Conner, E. F.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2002 | Ecology 83(1), 228–240

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The role of arboreal seed dispersal groups on the seed rain of a lowland tropical forest

Clark, C. J.; Poulsen, J. R.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2001 | Biotropica 33(4), 606–620

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Seed dispersal by a primate community in the Dja Reserve, Cameroon

Poulsen, J. R.; Clark, C. J.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 2001 | Journal of Tropical Ecology 17(6), 787–808

Seed dispersal by Ceratogymna hornbills in the Dja Reserve of Cameroon

Whitney, K.; Fogiel, M.; Lamperti, A.; Holbrook, K.; Stauffer, D.; Hardesty, B.D.; Parker, V.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 1998 | Journal of Tropical Ecology 14(3), 351–371

Habitat use and resource tracking by African Ceratogymna hornbills: implications for seed dispersal and forest conservation

Whitney, K.; Smith, T. B.

Published Work 1998 | American Conservation 1(2), 107–117

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Dja Hornbill Project/Projet Calao, 1994-1998

Whitney, K.; Stauffer, D.; Holbrook, K.; French, A.; Poulsen, J.; Smith, T. B.; Fogiel, M.; Lamperti, A.; Hardesty, B.; Wang, B.; Clark, C.; Parker, V.T.

Progress Report 1998