Downsizing of animal communities triggers stronger functional than structural decay in seed-dispersal networks

Isabel Donoso (), Marjorie C. Sorensen, Pedro G. Blendinger, W. Daniel Kissling, Eike Lena Neuschulz, Thomas Mueller and Matthias Schleuning
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Isabel Donoso: Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F)
Marjorie C. Sorensen: Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F)
Pedro G. Blendinger: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Tucumán
W. Daniel Kissling: University of Amsterdam
Eike Lena Neuschulz: Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F)
Thomas Mueller: Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F)
Matthias Schleuning: Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F)

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Downsizing of animal communities due to defaunation is prevalent in many ecosystems. Yet, we know little about its consequences for ecosystem functions such as seed dispersal. Here, we use eight seed-dispersal networks sampled across the Andes and simulate how downsizing of avian frugivores impacts structural network robustness and seed dispersal. We use a trait-based modeling framework to quantify the consequences of downsizing—relative to random extinctions—for the number of interactions and secondary plant extinctions (as measures of structural robustness) and for long-distance seed dispersal (as a measure of ecosystem function). We find that downsizing leads to stronger functional than structural losses. For instance, 10% size-structured loss of bird species results in almost 40% decline of long-distance seed dispersal, but in less than 10% of structural loss. Our simulations reveal that measures of the structural robustness of ecological networks underestimate the consequences of animal extinction and downsizing for ecosystem functioning.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15438-y

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