Subproject

E11 - Human impact on avian diversity, seed dispersal and regeneration processes of East African rainforests: management tools and recommendations

Workpackage

WP1: Ficus-diversity as indicator for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning at different spatial scales

Project leader(s)

Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese
Dr. Matthias Schleuning
Dr. Nina Farwig
Dr. Daniel Kissling

Project description

We use different modelling approaches to test whether the studies of fruiting trees, bird diversity, seed dispersal and regeneration processes in Kakamega Forest can be up-scaled to the regional and continental level. We ask whether Ficus-diversity is an indicator for high biodiversity at different spatial scales. Because frugivorous birds constitute a large proportion of tropical bird communities, Ficus-diversity might not only be linked to high diversity of frugivorous birds but also to bird species richness in general. Furthermore, high diversity of frugivorous birds might lead to high levels of seed dispersal and regeneration. Using a time by space substitution approach, we use these models to predict consequences of climate change for bird diversity at the regional and continental scale.

Keywords

Bird diversity; climate change; plant–frugivore interactions; seed dispersal

Contribution to
cross-cutting themes (CCT)

• Monitoring and assessment of biodiversity in space and time (Theme1)
• Understanding natural processes of change (Theme2)
• Understanding human use, value and impact in space and time (Theme3)
• Recommendations and measures for sustainable use of biodiversity (Theme4)

Link to Subproject