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Edge effects decrease ant-derived benefits to seedlings in a neotropical savanna

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Abstract

Edge effects may lead to changes in mutualistic plant–animal interactions, such as seed dispersal, that are critical to plant regeneration. However, research into edge effects is neglected in the Brazilian cerrado, the largest neotropical savanna. We evaluated the consequences of edge effects in the cerrado for the regeneration of Erythroxylum pelleterianum (Erythroxylaceae), a shrub that benefits from seed dispersal by ants. We compared air temperature, relative humidity, and vapor pressure deficit, as well as the frequency and outcome of ant–diaspore interactions between cerrado edges and interiors. The inner portion of cerrado was likely to be moister than its borders, but seed production and germination did not differ between edge and interior of cerrado. Ants removed more seeds near fragment edges than at the interior. However, Myrmicinae ants dominated ant–fruit interactions at edges. These ants are likely to provide few benefits to the seeds. Seedlings of E. pelleterianum growing close to Ponerinae ant nests showed higher survival than seedlings growing away from nests in the interior of cerrado, but such effect disappeared near edges. Widespread seedling mortality due to a higher evaporative demand at edges may partially account for this effect. Furthermore, Ponerinae’s nests also showed a lower residence time near edges, decreasing possible benefits derived from ant colony activity such as nutrient enrichment and protection against insect herbivores. Edge effects could change the structure and dynamics of vegetation in cerrado fragments, due in part to the collapse of the mutualistic interactions demonstrated here.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Instituto Florestal de São Paulo and the staff of the Estação Experimental de Itirapina for logistic support during the study. M. M. Martins and S. Sendoya for help in the field. A. G. Farji-Brener, A. L. T. Souza, M. A Pizo, and two anonymous referees criticized earlier versions of the manuscript. AVC thanks the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (proc. # 02/12895-8), FAEPEX-UNICAMP and the Wiscosin Society of Science Teachers Association for financial support. PSO was supported by grants from the Brazilian Research Council (CNPq), and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (proc. # 2008/54058-1; 2011/18580-8).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, 18052-780, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil

    Alexander V. Christianini

  2. Departamento de Biologia Animal, C.P. 6109, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Paulo S. Oliveira

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  1. Alexander V. Christianini
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  2. Paulo S. Oliveira
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Correspondence to Alexander V. Christianini.

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Handling Editor: Kris Wyckhuys.

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Christianini, A.V., Oliveira, P.S. Edge effects decrease ant-derived benefits to seedlings in a neotropical savanna. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 7, 191–199 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-012-9229-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-012-9229-9

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