1.10.15

Effects of fragmentation on species interactions

A new article analyzing the effects of fragmentation on multi-species interactions is now available. The article is the fruit of a long-standing collaboration with Ainhoa Magrach and Javier Rodríguez-Pérez.

Magrach, A., Rodríguez-Pérez, J., Piazzon, M., Santamaria, L. 2015. Divergent effects of forest edges on host distribution and seed disperser activity influence mistletoe distribution and recruitment. Journal of Ecology 103: 1475–1486.

This is the graphical abstract, available at the journal's website:


We determined the effect of anthropogenic edges on the interactions between three forest-dwelling species: a mistletoe, its host plant and its seed disperser. Forest edges had discordant impacts on the host and the disperser, resulting in increased host availability but reduced seed dispersal. The interdependence of species linked by antagonistic and mutualistic interactions makes them more sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance.